IFC marks 1st anniversary with call for continued vigilance ahead of 2026/27 budget
/ Our Today
administrator
Following its first full year of operations, the Independent Fiscal Commission (IFC) has released a strategic retrospective titled “Independence is Our Strength: Reflecting on a Year of Fiscal Vigilance”.
Published today in The Gleaner (Section B6), the op-ed outlines the Commission’s evolution into a permanent, non-partisan pillar of Jamaica’s economic framework.
Since becoming fully operational on January 1, 2025, the IFC has transitioned from a legislative concept to an objective “referee”, monitoring the nation’s fiscal rules with high integrity. The Commission serves as an independent “second look” to protect Jamaica from economic shocks, a layer of oversight historically missing from the national landscape.
“Our strength lies in our ability to remain detached from the political fray,” the Commission noted, emphasising its role in providing truth and promoting transparency rather than influencing political views.
Key Milestones and Upcoming Reports:
- Proven Resilience: During the recovery from Hurricane Melissa, the IFC provided the objective assessment required to validate the temporary suspension of fiscal rules, ensuring emergency needs were met without compromising long-term financial health.
- Upcoming EFAR: The IFC will release its next Economic and Fiscal Assessment Report (EFAR) on February 27, 2026.
- Budget Oversight: This upcoming report will provide a technical opinion on the 2026/27 “Melissa Budget” to inform Parliament’s deliberations and upcoming budget debates.
As the IFC enters its second year, its focus shifts toward “deepening operational excellence” by refining data models and strengthening its technical team to serve taxpayers across the island.
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