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Government Expands Mandate of National Competitiveness Council

By: , December 20, 2013

The Key Point:

Cabinet has mandated the Council to facilitate business environment reforms, and leverage resources and access to government officials to resolve issues.

The Facts

  • This will allow the Council to serve as a mechanism to address specific firm-level issues which arise, and require ministerial, or other relevant government action.
  • The reconstituted Inter-ministerial Committee on Ethics in Government is to begin drafting a code of ethics and gift policy for the public service.

The Full Story

The Government is expanding the mandate of the National Competitiveness Council, as it continues to put measures in place to improve the business environment.

In addition to addressing hindrances to doing business in Jamaica, Cabinet has mandated the Council to facilitate business environment reforms, and leverage resources and access to government officials to resolve issues.

Speaking at Jamaica House press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister, Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer on December 18, said this will allow the Council to serve as a mechanism to address specific firm-level issues which arise, and require ministerial, or other relevant government action.

“The expanded mandate is in recognition of the urgent need for an enabling business environment, to realize both local and international investments, and the national growth agenda. It is expected that with the expanded mandate, the Council will be able to respond directly to…bottlenecks in the way of spurring investment and economic growth,” Minister Falconer stated.

Meanwhile, the reconstituted Inter-ministerial Committee on Ethics in Government is to begin drafting a code of ethics and gift policy for the public service, following which it will hold consultations with key stakeholders.

This has been reported in an update to Cabinet from the committee. Senator Falconer noted that, “It (the committee) has found that while some public entities already have an established code of ethics, or gift policies, some have none.”

The committee, which was initially established in 2006, has focused on data collection and research. Its mandate is for the promotion and adherence to the highest standards of ethical behaviour in government.

The reconstituted body retains the Solicitor General as Chair, with membership similarly comprising four permanent secretaries and chief personnel officer.

Last Updated: December 20, 2013

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