Hon. Fayval Williams is the New Minister of Finance and the Public Service
New MP Matthew Samuda sworn in as Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Water
“The government is engineering a pivot towards accelerated growth.”
-Prime Minister Holness
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Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has announced changes to the Executive. The Honourable Fayval Williams has been appointed the new Minister of Finance and Public Service.
Minister Williams, who is the former Minister of Education, and Youth, is the first female to hold the constitutional position of Minister of Finance. She replaces Dr. Nigel Clarke who demitted office on Wednesday (October 30) to start his new role as Deputy Managing Director at the International Monetary Fund.
In making the announcement, Prime Minister Holness stated: “The government is engineering a pivot towards accelerated growth. It’s a pivot towards an aggressive pursuit of growth. And believe me when I say we are going to be vicious in that regard. We have conquered the fiscal issues. Now it’s time to conquer the growth issues.”
In the meantime, new Member of Parliament for St. Ann North East, Matthew Samuda has been reappointed to the Cabinet holding his previous assignment as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for water.
Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, is now the Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.
Prime Minister Holness stated: “These appointments are designed to maintain stability and minimize disruption in the functioning of the government, but at the same time pivot towards a growth oriented economic policy as well as to make a priority and focus on human capital development to help drive this pivot towards growth.”
The Prime Minister has also assigned senior advisor Mr. Alok Jain who is highly regarded for his financial expertise to work closely with the newly minted Minster of Finance and the Public Service as well as private sector stakeholders.