KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday named Education Minister Fayval Williams the new Finance Minister. He replaces Dr. Nigel Clarke, who resigned on Tuesday night to take up a senior position with the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“She’s not new to the portfolio. Her resume certainly recommends her for the position,” Holness said.
Holness has named Dr Dana Morris Dixon as the new Education Minister. She is also the Minister of Information.
Fayval Williams (File Photo)
In addition, Holness said that the recently elected Member of Parliament for St Ann North Eastern, Matthew Samuda, returns to the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.
“These appointments are designed to maintain stability and minimize disruption in the function of the government,” said Holness.
Williams is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) by profession, has an MBA with a concentration in finance from Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA (cum laude) in Economics from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Williams said she is committed to “work tirelessly to continue to make this vision a reality.
“In this role, I pledge to prioritize accountability and innovation and to listen closely to the needs and aspirations of those we serve. Like those we serve, our economy continues to face challenges, but I see incredible opportunities in these challenges to continue to build on the foundation that has been created, to create an even more resilient country,” she said.
“I am committed to the continued pursuit of fiscal prudence and creative solutions, one that values the expertise of all the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service members. I will seek to collaborate with industry leaders, civil society, and most importantly, the citizens we serve,” said Williams, the first woman ever to serve as a finance minister in Jamaica
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