PIOJ Annual Report 2005 - Planning Institute of Jamaica

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Dr. Peter-John Gordon, Director, Economic Planning & Research Division, addressing the media at the Institute’s Quarterly press briefing,
held August 15, 2005. Dr. Gordon discussed the developments in the macroeconomy and productive sectors for the period, April–June
2005. Looking on intently is Dr. Wesley Hughes, Director General.
publication to complement the existing reviews and give
a more comprehensive and integrative report on the performance
of the economy.
The decision was taken by the Chairman of the
National Planning Council (NPC) to have consultations
on a bi-monthly basis, for calendar year 2005. Resulting
from this decision was the presentation of 17 papers at
the National Planning Council meetings compared with
26 papers in 2004. Highlights of the meetings included
presentations on ‘Private Sector’s Perspective on the
Caribbean Single Market Economy’ in February, ‘Reform
of Mental Health’ in September, and ‘Successes/
Challenges of the Micro Finance sector, with special focus
on Interest Rates, in November. The preparatory activities
and meetings were coordinated by the National Planning
Council Secretariat which is located in the Division.
The EPRD inter-sectoral collaboration with other
Divisions of the Institute and with external agencies intensified
during the year. This contributed significantly to
the Division’s success in preparing and presenting accurate
reviews of economic performance. The Quarterly
Press Briefings on the performance of the economy and
consultations on the reform of the sugar industry with the
major stakeholders were some of the ways through which
the Division informed and interacted directly with external
clients.
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica continued its collaboration
with the Division towards improving the reconciliation
of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data for
specific sectors of the economy, and also in the preparatory
phase for the proposed 2007 Agricultural Census.
The Division, through continued involvement on a
number of internal and external committees and working
groups, provided technical advice to public and private
sector entities. These included, active participation in the
Jamaica Trade Advisory Taskforce Working Group on
market access for non-agricultural production; the
Competitiveness Committee of the Ministry of
Development; Review of the Jamaican Economy forum
facilitated by the Pan Caribbean Investment Bank; and
participation in meetings and consultations with the IMF
on real sector, developments and prospects. Members of
the Division participated in a number of training activities
through courses, seminars and workshops.
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