Just days before the Hon. Premier and Minister of Finance Reuben Meade was to deliver his 2014/15 budget, Dr. Kato Kimbugwe responded on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 during H E Governor Davis’ monthly press conference, Government of Montserrat (GoM), has made vast improvements in its budget preparation process over the past four years. The discussion at the time was dealing with the Department for International Development (DFID) indecision following their recent budget aid mission in respect of 2014/15, of not being able to do more than give an ‘indication’ of the aid support HMG would provide to the GoM.
Dr Kimbugwe was at the time giving an update on the next phase of the UK’s continuing budgetary support for Montserrat, this being the third year that DFID had following budget talks which take place twice per year or half yearly, failed to spell out any details or advised of exactly the budgetary support it would give to Montserrat. Last year when the news finally came they delivered more than the Government had asked.
The DFID man said they are currently finalizing the budget settlement for Montserrat and a report expected shortly outlining the details, usually called an ‘Aide Memoire’.
Dr. Kimbugwe gave the opinion that the GoM is on the right track regarding its budget and project management processes.
