Ascension : Press Release - Garth Armstrong Carries out Government Economist Work
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Internet Editor) 17.04.2008 (Article Archived on 01.05.2008)

The St Helena Government is in the process of recruiting a full-time Government Economist.

The St Helena Government is in the process of recruiting a full-time Government Economist. In the meantime, however, the Island is receiving much help from Garth Armstrong. Garth is the temporary Government Economist who is providing the St Helena Government with economic advice.

Garth is based in the Office of the Chief Secretary and has been on Island since early February. He will remain until 12 April. This is his second visit as he was in St Helena for a month in 2007.

Garth has been concentrating on a number of key areas which are of concern to SHG. One is a review of private sector development and ways in which this might be stimulated into increasing production.

In addition, he has been looking at inflation in the prices of land and housing and the impact this might have. Other work involves exercises such as looking at how much money is coming into St Helena, particularly from people on Ascension Island and the Falklands, and what effect this might have on the local economy in the future.

Garth has also been involved in discussions on how SHG should undertake the monitoring of its Sustainable Development Plan.

He said that ideally, St Helena must utilise the development of air access to attract the right kind of foreign investment which people on the Island can benefit from, as this will allow the Island to realise significant economic growth which should mean sustained self-sufficiency.

Garth has an extensive career history, having taken on various postings in the economic field as Economist, Head of Mission, Project Director and most recently, Senior Economic Advisor for the Department For International Development on Central and South Eastern Europe. In addition to working with DFID, Garth has also been employed by organisations such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the World Bank. His work has enabled him to travel to and work in many countries in the East Pacific, the Caribbean, Africa, China and India, South East Asia and Central and South East Europe. This has given him extensive high-level experience in the provision of economic advice and the administration of economic matters such as the design and execution of reform programmes.  He has also worked in aid agencies on policy and project areas, including the management of technical assistance. Also, for a number of years, he managed the Crown Agents economic and financial consultancy services.

Acting Chief Secretary, Ethel Yon, said that with regards to a full time Government Economist Terms of Reference have been drawn up and very soon the vacant position will be advertised. The last advert did not attract a suitable candidate, so it is hoped that SHG will be lucky this time round.

Public Relations/Information Office

Office of the Chief Secretary

9 April 2008