Modest growth seen for Jamaican economy

Modest growth seen for Jamaican economy Modest growth seen for Jamaican economy
   The International Monetary Fund is predicting a 2 percent growth rate for the Jamaican economy in 2008, up slightly from the 1.4 percent increase in 2007.
   Jamaica's Ministry of Finance had predicted a growth rate of 3 percent for 2007, but growth fell short, in part because of damage from Hurricane Dean, but also from a generally listless economy.
   The IMF report said Jamaica may seen better growth in 2008 because of improved banking relations with the United States, which are expected to ease remittance problems from tourism experienced in the past.
   The World Bank, meanwhile, projects a better 3.5 percent growth rate for Jamaica in 2008.