By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson says there are signs that the Jamaican economy is on the rebound, suggesting that 2004 could be a lot brighter for the people of Jamaica.
In Montego Bay on Saturday, he expressed confidence that the country's financial woes have been nipped, saying that most of the turbulent economic times were now a thing of the past.
"It is no secret that we have had to pass through a very tight fiscal year and are weathering the storm," Mr. Patterson said at the annual Christmas festivities staged by Region Six of his ruling People's National Party (PNP).
The Government was doing "all in its power" to honour its debt-repayment commitments, he said, adding that the long term result would see buoyancy returning to the economy.
"We have been servicing all our debts, and we have made sure that there is no reneging or any unilateral rescheduling of debts," Mr. Patterson said. And pointing to what he said was a very good tourism season, he said that "tourism is the catalyst that will cause economic growth to move faster in Jamaica at this time."
He lauded the private sector and the trade unions for what he said was their willingness to participate in helping to rescue the economy.
"At the present time we are seeing the private sector and the trade unions coming together to see what contribution they can make to the process of national development and we want to applaud them very warmly," he said.
Mr. Patterson's comments come on the heels of recent attempts by Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning, to resume talks on a social contract with members of the private sector and trade unions.
Mr. Patterson said that early next year the PNP would be trying to regain the traction it lost in western Jamaica during the last national and local government elections, with the Jamaica Labour Party dominating the region.
"Let the word go forth to friend and foe alike that the PNP is stepping forward and is going to return to the vanguard of leadership...," Mr. Patterson told his cheering audience. He said he would be meeting with all the six regions of the party as it cranks up its rebuilding process.
