Last Updated on October 9, 2019, 12:53 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, who has blocked publication of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2018 Article IV Consultation on the Economy of the twin-island federation told nationals here that he has been to four universities in Canada, has read the same books as the IMF officials, but the advice given to him is unacceptable.
“We are sensible people. The same schools they went to, we went to. I went to four schools, four universities in Canada. The same books they read, I read them too. The same books the IMF people had, are the same books we read up. What report the IMF have when we ain’t know them. What IMF report they got. The IMF is an institution and all it can do is to give you advice, but like every advice, whether from a lawyer or a doctor, you must be sufficiently informed to make a judgment whether that advice is the best advice for you. So when IMF gives an advice, you have to have common sense to say, we going work with that or that will not work here. Maybe it will work in Argentina,” Harris told nationals at the Holy Family Episcopal Church, Miami Gardens, Florida on September 30.
An IMF Team led by Mission Head, Dr Arnold McIntyre visited St Kitts and Nevis late June/early July 2018 and presented their report to the IMF Executive Board in Washington, DC.
“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the consideration of the Article IV consultation with St. Kitts and Nevis. Under Article IV of the agreement, the IMF has a mandate to exercise surveillance over the economic, financial and exchange rate policies of its members in order to ensure the effective operation of the international monetary system. The IMF’s appraisal of such policies involves a comprehensive analysis of the general economic situation and policy strategy of each member country. IMF economists visit the member country, usually once a year, to collect and analyze data and hold discussions with government and central bank officials. Upon its return, the staff submits a report to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion. The Board’s views are subsequently summarized and transmitted to the country authorities. The authorities have not consented to publication of the staff report and the related press release,” the IMF said in a statement dated September 4, 2018.
During the past several months and speaking in Miami, Dr Harris has failed to tell the nation, the business sector and investors, what the issues of contention with the IMF are.
The IMF Mission in 2018 was led by Grenada-born Dr Arnold McIntyre, who was welcomed by Dr Harris in his office at Government Headquarters in Basseterre during an earlier visit in April 2018.
“Dr. McIntyre is no stranger; he has worn several hats within the region but certainly he has visited St. Kitts on numerous occasions in a multiplicity of capacities and rendered good support on policy advice. We think we have a combination in you as the chief of the mission for sub-region, and Dr. McIntyre, who is a good friend of St. Kitts and Nevis, to help us advance. Dr. Harris stated that his Team Unity Government has enjoyed a very beneficial relationship with the IMF over the last three years in office, as it looks to advance the growth and economic prospects of St. Kitts and Nevis,” the Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris said on April 4, 2018 release.
Dr McIntyre has previous working experience at the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the OECS Secretariat in St Lucia and is a former consultant with the Caribbean Export Development Agency. In 1996, he joined the CRNM (renamed the Office of Trade Negotiations; CARICOM Secretariat) as the lead Technical Adviser.
Dr McIntyre joined the International Monetary Fund in February, 2001 as a senior economist in the Policy Development and Review Department. He has worked in the African Department as senior economist on the Fund’s Kenya team and in 2006 went to Ghana as IMF Resident Representative. Dr. McIntyre returned to IMF Headquarters in 2009 as Deputy Division Chief, Caribbean Division 1, and Western Hemisphere Department. He now heads that Division.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
