Last Updated on July 8, 2019, 4:04 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Regional broadcaster Jerry George of St Vincent and the Grenadines is questioning the refusal of St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris to release the 2018 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the economy of the twin-island federation.
“I must say am very, very confused. If St Kitts/Nevis economy is performing so well, why has PM (Timothy) Harris refused to release the IMF’s last report? Something doesn’t make sense because the IMF report would or should agree with his declarations!” George posted.
George’s posting was in response to Texas-based Caribbean News Now story headlined: “St Kitts-Nevis PM phony debt to GDP stats conceal IMF report, says opposition leader.
In the report, PM Harris refers to the country’s public debt increased to about 200% of GDP and an estimated amount of US$1.05 billion, quoting the IMF Country Report No. 11/270, but in February 2015, he fails to state that when he assumed office, the IMF stated that St Kitts and Nevis’ Debt to GDP had been reduced to 79% of GDP at the end of 2014 (IMF Country Report dated September 2015).
Continuing to challenge PM Dr Harris to simply release the IMF report former St Kitts and Nevis PM and present Leader of the opposition, Dr Denzil Douglas said that “let Dr Harris reverse the Land for Debt Swap.”
“If Harris will release the last Article IV Consultation Report completed by a visiting IMF Mission headed by Dr Arnold Mc Intyre, it will be very positive for the country.
Dr Douglas said that they do not believe nor accept anything that Harris says regarding the current financial status of the country as his word cannot be trusted.
He said that he was not surprised that PM would want to lay claim to the reduction of the National Debt for honestly what can he lay claim to after four years.
“The investors had complained to me that Harris turns them off because of his behaviour. The truth is that Harris was never a strategic thinker.,” Dr Douglas said.
“I told the people of St Kitts and Nevis then that the Labour administration under my leadership will deal with the National debt once and for all, including legislation to ensure that the debt stays within a certain limit,” Dr Douglas noted during the campaign leading up to the general elections of 2010 the National debt became a potential football for the then opposition.
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.
