A sum of $1.07 billion is to be funneled into the Production Incentive Programme this year as the Government continues to drive agricultural output. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during a recent post-Sectoral debate press briefing at the Ministry’s Old Hope Road offices in Kingston. The allocation for this year includes $258 million for...

Jamaica’s foreign exchange market has remained relatively stable since the start of the year. Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, says this partly reflects actions taken by the BOJ, through its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in response to the higher than targeted inflation out-turn. The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reports that inflation for the 12-month period, ending April...

Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, says the economy has been “doing well”, largely based on the latest growth and employment out-turns. Speaking during the BOJ’s digital quarterly media briefing on Tuesday (May 24), Mr. Byles referenced data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), showing that the economy grew by 6.7 per cent during the October to December...

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is now accepting applications for the BGLC Tertiary Education Grant for the 2022/2023 academic year. The grant is a contribution towards tuition fees and will see 300 students receiving $60,000 each. It is available to full-time first to fourth-year undergraduates, no older than 26 years, who are enrolled at an accredited local tertiary...

The National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica Limited (Ex-Im Bank) will, this year, be placing special focus on providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in non-traditional exports. These include tourism and its linkages, manufacturing, agro-processing, mining, the service industry, information and communications technology (ICT), and the creative industries. Details of the programmed engagements are outlined in the Jamaica...

Customers who visit the offices of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in Kingston will now benefit from a fully renovated lobby. The lobby, which was refurbished as part of the Government’s overall Service Excellence Programme, now boasts disability friendly restrooms, and an air-conditioned waiting area with refreshments available for customers. Director of Customer Service at the Ministry,...

Funding is available to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), through services offered by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), says Manager of Investor Relationship, Paul Chin. Addressing the second of a two-part webinar, hosted by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) on May 17, Mr. Chin noted that the DBJ interacts with MSMEs through financial intermediaries, including microfinance institutions...

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service will debut a new online series on Wednesday (May 18), dubbed ‘Coffee and Conversations’. The series will allow members of staff at the Ministry to tell their stories of triumphs and adversities. Manager of Public Relations at the Ministry, Shakiel Rochester Shorter, told JIS News that the initiative, conceptualised by the Corporate...

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) will be spearheading the implementation of several projects, valued just over US$1 million, which are programmed for rollout during fiscal year 2022/23. These engagements, which aim to bolster the local entrepreneurship ecosystem, are being financed by the Government of Jamaica and several international development partners. Details of these initiatives were outlined by Deputy Chief...