Historic signal

Jamaica’s finance minister, Dr Nigel Clarke, joining the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) senior management team is being hailed by leaders and economists across Latin America and the Caribbean as a signal moment.

They expressed hope that his appointment as deputy managing director will provide a significant voice for developing states in the decision-making of the major financial agency of the United Nations.

Clarke’s appointment was made public on Monday morning, and was followed by the announcement that he will be leaving his post in the Jamaican Cabinet and as member of parliament for St Andrew North Western, the constituency he has represented since winning a by-election in 2018.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a statement expressing pride in the appointment, said the Government has identified successors to Clarke in both his ministerial and parliamentary responsibilities and that there would be a smooth transition in both capacities.

“Further updates will be provided in due course and the public can expect policy continuity and a continuation of the economic achievements,” Holness said.

“This is a historic and important development in which I take immense pride. The IMF plays an indispensable role in the world economy, promoting global financial stability and monetary cooperation, in service of its 190 member countries. As such, the position of deputy managing director is global in scope.

“No citizen of Jamaica, the Caribbean or Central America has ever before served at this level in the IMF in its 80-year history. It is to the benefit of Jamaica and the Caribbean region for one of our nationals to serve in such a consequential global position. This development is, therefore, a tremendous net gain for Jamaica and the Caribbean,” the prime minister added.

Holness’ position was echoed by former Jamaican prime ministers Bruce Golding and P.J. Patterson.

“We must be careful not to assume that he will be Jamaica’s man at the IMF, but his deep and hands-on understanding of the circumstances and challenges of developing countries like Jamaica might cause the IMF to pivot from the orthodoxies of the last few decades and embrace the new reality and possibilities of the global economy not confined to the developed countries,” said Golding.

Added Patterson: “We confidently anticipate that your tenure will be a strong voice for the developing states in the design of fitting structures that will promote monetary reforms in order to ensure growth and prosperity for every human being, regardless of their origin or where they currently dwell.”

STRONG SUPPORT

In the meantime, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that her proposal to appoint Clarke, succeeding Antoinette Sayeh, had received strong support from the Fund’s board and staff.

Sayeh steps down on September 12 while Clarke takes up his new post on October 31.

Georgieva hailed Clarke as “a tremendous addition to our skills and capabilities”.

“It is a testament to Nigel Clarke’s skills, experience and dedication to public service, and it is also a very important reflection of the voice, the credibility of the Caribbean region,” the IMF managing director told a roundtable of assembled journalists from the Caribbean, adding that with Clarke’s presence, the Caribbean will have much to teach the rest of the world about how to navigate challenges faced.

“Thank you, Caribbean region, for gifting us Nigel Clarke to help us lead the Fund in the next years,” she added.

The day-to-day work of the IMF is overseen by its 24-member executive board, which represents the entire membership and is supported by IMF staff. The managing director is the head of the IMF staff and chair of the executive board and is assisted by four deputy managing directors.

Georgieva said that, in his role, Clarke will help lead the Fund and provide service to its 190 members and will have responsibilities towards the programmes and engagements with IMF member states, and be a voice for developing nations.

“He will speak on behalf of the Fund, and represent me in international forums, and he will have the important responsibility to bring through his experience the voice of small island states to us at the Fund,” she said.

“I want to add that I’m particularly excited, of him joining us as I start my second term.”

Georgieva said that with Clarke at the IMF, there will be greater attention to vulnerable island countries and that she will count on his experience and wisdom so that the IMF can serve these countries to the best of its institutional abilities.

The IMF managing director said that, among the many reasons for Clarke’s selection, the top three were his hands-on experience as minister of finance in transforming an economy from a weaker to a much stronger position in which institutions and policies provide for a good performance and translate into jobs and better opportunities for people in Jamaica.

“He has worked with the Fund. We have seen him in action. We have seen his decisiveness. We have seen his dedication and that leading from experience for other countries that face similar problems as Jamaica faces is extremely valuable,” she said.

“He represents a group of countries that are particularly challenged in a world of changing climate. He can effectively transmit the experience, the aspirations of these countries, but also speak to them, speak to our members in the Pacific, not just in the Caribbean.”

In addition, she said, the combination of Clarke’s private sector experience and his experience as a finance minister, coupled with his knowledge of finance, his ability to lead innovation in a fast-changing world make up the third consideration.

“Jamaica is the first country where a sovereign issuance has been done to reflect on catastrophic risks. Jamaica just last year brought a bond that is based on domestic currency. These are things that other countries aspire for and they need to do,” she said.

Yesterday, in congratulation Clarke, the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) said his prestigious new role is a notable achievement for Jamaica on the global stage.

At the same time, however, the Opposition said the “development raises significant concerns about the future of Jamaica’s economic management and leadership”.

“Dr Clarke’s departure comes at a critical juncture for our country as we face serious economic challenges, including the spiralling cost of living and the negative growth impact of the recent hurricane,” the Opposition said, adding that his impending departure also brings into question the Government’s ability and commitment to addressing the ongoing economic burdens facing the Jamaican people.

“We urge the Government to provide immediate clarity on the transition plan for the Ministry of Finance, how it intends to manage the current economic pressures, and what strategies will be employed to mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable in our society,” the Opposition said.

The umbrella group representing Jamaican businesses, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), in extending its congratulations, said the appointment marks a significant milestone, as Clarke becomes the first citizen of Jamaica, the Caribbean, or Central America to serve at this level in the IMF’s 80-year history.

“Given the historic nature of this appointment, the PSOJ expresses its pride in seeing Dr Clarke assume this prestigious role at the IMF, which is a testament to his capabilities and the respect he has earned in the international financial community,” the PSOJ said.

neville.graham@gleanerjm.com

REACTIONS TO CLARKE’S IMF APPOINTMENT

From my knowledge of international organisations, I am sure the appointment at this level must be a testament to your own technical and managerial skills. But in addition, it must be a feather in Jamaica’s cap as well as a source of immense pride for all our Caribbean people.

– Sir George Alleyne, former director of the Pan American Health Organization

Jamaicans and indeed the wider Caribbean are entitled to feel a sense of pride and joy that you have been deservedly chosen to join the illustrious band of our progeny in the highest echelons of leadership within an institution of such seminal importance to the global community.

We confidently anticipate that your tenure will be a strong voice for the developing states in the design of fitting structures that will promote monetary reforms in order to ensure growth and prosperity for every human being, regardless of their origin or where they currently dwell.

– P.J. Patterson, former prime minister of Jamaica

As you step into this new and prestigious role, I have every confidence that you will continue to contribute significantly to the advancement of global financial stability and economic resilience. Your appointment is a source of great pride for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, and it serves as an inspiration to future generations of leaders from our region.

– Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, former governor general of Jamaica

The appointment of Dr Nigel Clarke as deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund is a signal achievement for Jamaica. We should all be proud. However, it is a great loss to Jamaica given the expertise with which he has carried the portfolio of minister of finance and the transformation that he has wrought to the fiscal management of the Government.

We must be careful not to assume that he will be Jamaica’s man at the IMF but his deep and hands-on understanding of the circumstances and challenges of developing countries like Jamaica might cause the IMF to pivot from the orthodoxies of the last few decades and embrace the new reality and possibilities of the global economy not confined to the developed countries.

I am saddened to see him leave us but I celebrate with all Jamaica his ascension to this prestigious position.

– Bruce Golding, former prime minister of Jamaica

It is a testament to your own achievement and will provide Jamaica and the Caribbean with a welcome resource as we continue to strive for sustainable economic growth.

– Dr Peter Phillips, former leader of the Opposition

This achievement marks a significant milestone, not just for Dr Clarke but for the entire Caribbean region. This appointment is a testament to the talent within our region, and it sets a powerful example for us all.

– Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados

[Dr Nigel Clarke’s] designation stresses the increasing role of Latin America and the Caribbean in designing solutions to address global economic, social and environmental challenges.

– Carlos Fernandez, minister of finance of Paraguay

He is one of the most successful and experienced policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will be a great asset to the IMF and its members!

– Ilan Goldfajn, president of the Inter-American Development Bank and former president of the Central Bank of Brazil

Jamaica stands to gain not only in global prestige but also through the nuanced understanding Dr Clarke will bring to the IMF of the nation’s distinctive challenges, strengths, and opportunities. His influence promises to amplify Jamaica’s voice on the global stage in powerful and lasting ways.

– Orlando Patterson,  professor emeritus at Harvard University