I am in agreement with Winston Williams (The Gleaner 23/01/09) to have a fixed exchange rate, an idea suggested by former prime minister, Edward Seaga, as recently as last year.

Additionally, the exchange rate should be reviewed quarterly and, if necessary, adjusted. The margin at which speculators buy and sell US dollars should also be fixed.

Brief periods of certainty

Quarterly reviews, a fixed exchange rate and speculative margin should counter speculators' pressure on the Jamaican dollar and provide, even though short, brief periods of certainty for those who provide goods and services for the growth and development of the country.

Whether Prime Minister Golding and his Cabinet have the courage to stand up to the speculators and others, whose actions are contributing to the current devaluation, is yet to be seen.

I am, etc.,

LEMMAR MONCRIEFFE

rammelss@yahoo.com

Gayle PO, St Mary