President Jennifer Simons delivered a comprehensive update on the government’s agenda and priorities during a press conference on Friday. Emphasizing the administration’s focus on reducing the national debt, increasing state revenues, and bolstering key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and climate policy, Simons outlined a roadmap for the coming months. She highlighted efforts to narrow the budget deficit relative to GDP, stating, ‘We are collaborating with various sectors to explore ways to enhance state revenues. While challenging, improvements in tax collection and customs efficiency are beginning to yield results.’ Simons assured that these measures would not impose additional burdens on citizens but rather optimize the collection of existing taxes like VAT and customs duties.
To enhance transparency and efficiency, audits are being conducted across state-owned enterprises. Additionally, task forces for tourism and agriculture will be formally established in the coming weeks, with the goal of elevating both sectors to higher productivity levels within two years. ‘These task forces will engage with the president, ministers, and the private sector to achieve their objectives,’ Simons explained. She also announced initiatives to stabilize the prices of essential goods, ensuring affordability through a transparent pricing system.
A significant portion of the president’s address focused on climate financing and forest conservation. Simons cautioned that international climate funds often consist of commercial loans that offer limited benefits to developing nations. ‘We aim to preserve our forests, but this requires adequate compensation,’ she stated. She referenced discussions with carbon-negative countries like Bhutan and Panama, as well as climate-neutral Madagascar, to explore opportunities such as debt-for-nature swaps and carbon credits. However, Simons stressed the need for caution, advising, ‘Countries must carefully evaluate agreements labeled as climate financing. Not all proposals are advantageous for forest-rich nations.’ The government is committed to ensuring that international resources directly benefit inland communities, demonstrating the tangible advantages of forest conservation.