THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on April 23 in the years identified:

1981:Jamaica The prospects facing following Prime Minister Edward Seaga’s announcement in Parliament of the details of arrangements worked out between his Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is welcomed by the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA). Stating his association’s pleasure at the resolution of Jamaica’s longstanding financial dilemma because of failure to find grounds for a programme by the previous administration, Mr Prakash Vaswani says, “We are very pleased at the constructive and determined manner in which this Government has worked out its programme with the IMF. Needless to say, the JEA has always taken the position that we cannot borrow our way out of trouble, but must rapidly develop the kind of production for export which will bring in the foreign exchange we need so badly. “However, the establishment of relations with the world economic community is absolutely essential, and deep and complete commitment to an export-oriented economy is the only way Jamaica can work its way out of its slump.”

1993:Jamaican high schools underlined their dominance at the annual Penn Relays with victories in six events on the second day of the relay carnival in Philadelphia. Leading the way are national girls champions Vere Technical High with wins in three events. Vere successfully defended the 4x400 metres, 4x800 metres and distance medley events. St. Jago turns back the challenges of local rivals Wolmer’s Girls and Vere Technical to win the sprint relay, while St Elizabeth Technical takes the distance medley events. The College of Arts, Science and Technology wins the 4x400 metres for junior colleges ahead of the G.C. Foster College.