The Government is working to strengthen its suite of disaster risk financing instruments to safeguard against the uncertainties of natural disasters. Accordingly, the Government intends to renew the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF-SPC) policy in May 2026. The Administration will maintain savings in the National Natural Disaster Risk Financing (NNDRF), National Disaster Fund (NDF), and Contingencies Fund, while also...

Jamaicans are expected to find it easier to switch bank accounts and compare fees starting this year as the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) advances initiatives to boost competition in the financial sector. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the announcement as she opened the 2026/27 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March...

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) plans to introduce a national electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) platform to streamline and standardise the account-opening process, expand financial inclusion, and reduce paperwork. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, announced the measure as she opened the 2026/27 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 10). Mrs. Williams...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says franchise holders and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have made significant commitments to advancing professional cricket in Jamaica. “They have committed an annual investment of $2.75 million to operate a professional men’s CPL team… [and] an annual investment of US$500,000 to establish and operate a professional women’s CPL team,”...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced that the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme has now surpassed $5 billion in savings since its inception. “I would like to indicate, by way of out-turn, that the world-class, world-standard, historic Tourism Workers Pension Scheme, in its first two years… notwithstanding [Hurricanes] Melissa and Beryl… stands now at $5.1 billion,” he said. Mr. Bartlett...

The Government continues to expand support services for vulnerable women through a network of shelters and transitional housing facilities. Addressing the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives during its examination of the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure at Gordon House on March 6, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, reported that two shelters are currently...

One hundred and twenty members of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) are set to benefit from critical insurance coverage to shield their livelihoods against extreme weather. Through a partnership between Hi-Pro and CARE International, these producers will gain protection under the Roots Resilience Parametric Insurance Programme. The initiative is supported by a US$65,000 pledge from CARE International...