Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett is set to make his presentation in parliament today (April 18) during the 2023 Sectoral Debate.

The Minister will give an outline of his stewardship of his portfolio Ministry and outline plans and programmes that are being rolled out for the 2023/2024 financial year.

Bartlett’s report during the sectoral debate is expected to be positive given that tourism has been leading Jamaica’s economic recovery, particularly during the recent pandemic years, exhibiting strong growth during the post-pandemic period.

He will also speak on the just-ended successful staging of carnival in Jamaica, which it has been reported added over J$5 billion to the local economy.

The sectoral debate follows closely on the heel of the Budget Debate, which outlined the spending plans and programmes of the Government of Jamaica for the 2023/2024 financial year.

Two speakers are down for today’s opening of the sectoral debate; the other being Anthony Hylton, Opposition Spokesman on Industry, Investment and Global Logistics.

Hylton will provide a critique of the government’s handling of the Industry, Investment and Global Logistics sector while articulating the Opposition’s vision and plans for the sectors of the economy.

He is expected to place particular focus on concerns with the medical cannabis industry and the extent to which small farmers are being pushed out as well as highlighting certain problems being encountered in the logistics business and special economic zones.