Dr Peter Phillips - It was team work

Now that the sleepless nights are behind him, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Peter Phillips is taking his successes in stride as he focuses on the equally challenging task of economic consolidation.

"It wasn't easy," declared Phillips, recipient of the Gleaner Honour Award for 2015 for public service.

"The sleepless nights, as much as they were, centred on getting a programme in the first place," he said.

These days, Phillips is somewhat removed from the troublesome period with another award under his belt which he accepted with composure.

"I accept it as an honour not for myself so much as for the team at the Ministry of Finance and, indeed, the entire team of the Government, led by the prime minister and other members of the Cabinet who have supported the programme of economic reform," said Phillips.

Sharing with The Gleaner, host of a special luncheon, Phillips said that it was always good to have efforts recognised.

"It is no less in this situation," he said. "It is good that people have taken note that it has involved a deliberate effort on our part to mobilise the support of everyone and that we have been able to secure buy-in of all critical stakeholders.

He said that the trade union movement had responded spectacularly to the programme. He said as well that the private sector, which participated in the Economic Programme Oversight Committee, also played its part.

"There is greater confidence among the business sector and the investor community as a whole and the general populace is beginning to recognise the logic behind the programme," he said.