BRADES, Montserrat (February 14, 2011) – The Department for International Development (DFID) Economic & Budgetary Aid Mission began here today and will run until Friday, February 18, 2011.

A team lead by Montserrat Programme Manager Karen McGeough along with Economic Advisor Chris Collinson, Private Sector Adviser and in-country representative Kato Kimbugwe, Montserrat Deputy Programme Manager Zoi Andrew, Social Development Adviser Mary Thompson and Governance Adviser Dew Tetlow will be meeting with Financial Secretary, Honourable John Skerritt, Deputy Governor, Sarita Francis, Permanent Secretary Angela Greenaway, and Budget Director Lindorna Brade. The team also met with Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade on Monday and will hold sessions with other government leaders and members of the Opposition throughout the week.

On Tuesday, the mission will review Montserrat’s performance against the economic roadmap, strategic and business plans and the SDP; the revenue projections for the Montserrat Customs & Revenue Department and the 2011/12 Budget Estimates including domestic revenue projections and policy.

The revenue and expenditures of various government departments will also come under scrutiny.

The primary purpose of DFID’s assistance is to meet the “reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat and provide support which accelerates Montserrat towards self-sufficiency,” says the Mission’s Terms of Reference.

The total level of support provided by DFID for 2010/11 is currently forecast at 19.6 million pounds, which includes 12.9 million in budgetary aid and an estimated 3.4 million as capital aid. An additional one million pounds may be added to cover revenue shortfalls, rehabilitations works associated with Hurricane Earl, further payments to Social Security Fund, and provision for asset replacement, says the ToR.

This week’s discussions will aim to agree on recommendations for budgetary aid for 2011/12, and provide indications for 2012/13 and 2012/14. This will include any provisions judged necessary to subsidise air and/or ferry service operations.

The Government of Montserrat has set out its strategic vision in its Sustainable Development Plan 2008-2010, which will be implemented through the introduction of a Medium Term Expenditure Framework approach to planning and budgeting. When the Medium Term Economic Framework is fully in place, the intent is for DFID to move to a multi-year assistance plan for Montserrat.

An Aide Memoire recording the outcome of discussions and recommendations that the team will be making to DFID senior management will be released at the conclusion of the visit.