The Government has reduced its national debt to gross domestic product (GDP) by going below the target of 111 per cent for the 2017/18 fiscal year. This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, as he opened the 2018/19 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 8. He informed that the Government...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government remains committed to protecting the poor and vulnerable in the society. Opening the 2018/19 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 8, the Minister said social programmes for protected groups will continue to receive priority with respect to the allocation of resources, to ensure that...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored that climate smart solutions in the agriculture sector is critical to Jamaica achieving economic growth and development. Speaking at the United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO) 35th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean in Montego Bay on Wednesday (March 7), Mr. Holness said that smart climate solutions will assist Jamaica’s conservation efforts....

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is calling for parents to get their children to drink more water as part of the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He said there is a culture in schools, where if a student does not consume branded drinks or juices, then they are considered to be of the lower class. It is...

The Ministry of Justice will be taking steps to bring more restorative justice centres on stream at the community and parish levels this year. This was disclosed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Carol Palmer, while addressing a recent restorative justice conference at the Spanish Court Hotel in St. Andrew. Nine restorative justice centres have been established across the island...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has pledged to ensure that there is gender balance on all Boards as well as in Government. Speaking at a special International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted at Jamaica House on Thursday (March 8), Prime Minister Holness said the government will do a better job in promoting and selecting more women to the Boards of public bodies....

A new cultural series celebrating the legacies of four Jamaican women will be held at the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), downtown Kingston, on March 11 and 18. The events will begin at 2:00 p.m. both days, and are free of cost. The series, titled ‘Four Women’, reflects on the lives and works of folklorist, author, musician and actress, Hon. Louise...

The allocation to the Ministry of National Security for fiscal year 2018/19 has increased by 23.4 per cent, moving to $78.5 billion up from $63.6 billion in 2017/18. Opening the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 8, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, said the increase will facilitate the provision of machinery and...

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says a review of the Cybercrimes Act is to be undertaken shortly. The legislation, which addresses computer-specific offences, was passed in 2015 and is scheduled for review this year. It incorporates offences related to computer fraud or forgery, the use of computers for malicious communication, and unauthorised disclosure of...