Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has begun her first full budget presentation since assuming office in May last year, stressing that the emphasis of the government remains on stabilisation, growth and transformation.

She also urged the public to in her words to stay the course while stressing that what she called the bitter medicine was necessary and the government and the country needed to see it through.

And also gave an early signal of what could be upcoming when she outlined her budget measures, reduction in direct personal income tax and a widening of the tax net.