Jamaica hurt by middle class classification

Jamaica is being restricted from accessing concessionary financing because of its middle-income classification.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday February 6, 2012 – Jamaica is being restricted from accessing concessionary financing because of its middle-income classification.

As a result the country will feel the effects of being cut off from funding from the Global Fund for AIDS at the end of this year.

This was revealed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator A.J. Nicholson who said while he understood the reason, he had to wonder if it was a fair designation for Jamaica and other developing states.

“It is our view that there is a case to be made for rethinking the treatment of these countries, given the challenges and constraints, such as poverty, high indebtedness and other socio-economic problems that they continue to face,” Nicholson said.

Speaking to members of the Diplomatic Corps, during a meeting at Jamaica House Tuesday as part of Diplomatic Week, he also urged them to support government’s diplomatic initiatives on the issue.

Nicholson further noted that the United Nations Conference on Susutainable Development to be held in June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, must allow for the operationalization of international commitments.

Such allowances, he pointed out, must emphasize sustainable development based on the principle of common but different responsibility.

He made it clear that such a conference should take into account the constraints faced by small island developing states, and agree or specific actions which will allow them to access increased funding, access to increased capacity building and information sharing and technology transfer. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)