BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PLANS for this year’s National Consultation on the Economy are expected to build consensus for the 2010 budget and a medium-term economic strategy.
The announcement was made following an August 12 Cabinet meeting, and the Ministry of Finance has promised that this year’s national consultation would be “different and more productive”.
While no specific dates have been identified for the event, a post-Cabinet briefing noted that the second week in September has been tentatively earmarked.
This year, the consultation will focus heavily on youth-related challenges and Cabinet has agreed that the event will be held under the banner: ‘Youth Development at the Core of our National Priorities’.
According to the Cabinet report, Minister of Finance, Industry and Commerce Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris stressed the importance for government’s policies reflect strategic objectives and planning. He added that as an era of globalization dawns on the region, governments must move toward creating enough regulation to limit the potential of market failure.
“Our system of collaborative governance, of which the annual national consultation on the economy is just one event, needs to be expanded and broadened to achieve greater policy consensus on key issues,” Harris said.
More details are expected to be made known as organizers of the event finalize plans to build a more inclusive society and engage in consultative democracy.
