The Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) says it is very cautious in its outlook for Jamaica’s economy.

This as a marked slowing of the economy compounded by Hurricane Beryl is observed.

According to EPOC, this slowdown brings along with it, the attendant risks of lower than budgeted growth in tax revenues along with increased expenditures in public sector wages and salaries which are consuming an oversized share of GDP and tax revenues.

EPOC says the looming fiscal risks are large.

Chairman Keith Duncan is encouraging the government and the Bank of Jamaica to optimize the fiscal and monetary policy mix.