KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer – OPPOSITION Leader Andrew Holness has warned Jamaicans to be cautiously optimistic as news emerges that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nears. Holness said yesterday that while the IMF agreement is likely to be approved by the end of April, the sentiment in some quarters that Jamaica’s problems were solved has been misguided. “We take note that the originally planned loan sum has increased by US$200-million. That would suggest that the other loan partners, that is, the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) and the World Bank have not come up with the other amounts required to close out what Jamaica needs and, in that case, the IMF has had to come up with more to meet the support needs of Jamaica. That sends a certain signal of uncertainty,” Holness cautioned.
