The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is maintaining the interest rate offered on deposit-taking institutions' overnight placements, at 0.50 per cent. In a statement on Friday (December 18), the Central Bank said this policy decision is based on its assessment that inflation will generally continue to remain in the 4-6 per cent target range over the next two years. This is...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is imploring operators of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) to be security conscious during the yuletide season. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gary McKenzie, said that business owners must pay greater attention to their environment as they...

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague has commended MBJ Airports Limited, for its commitment to the delivery of world-class service during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He said that the entity, which operates the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has exceeded the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ health and safety protocols for the facility. The Minister, in a...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is projected to spend $58 billion in the 2021/2022 financial year, and another $65 billion in the ensuing fiscal period, as it continues to provide affordable housing solutions for Jamaicans. This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, while piloting the National...

Forty-one companies and individuals have been charged for breaches of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition (PPM) Orders since the implementation of the ban on single use plastics in 2019. Chief Executive Officer and Governemnt Town Planner, NEPA, Peter Knight, in making the disclosure, said that 27 persons have already been convicted. “The remaining matters are set...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging Jamaicans to take certain precautions when making purchases from local online vendors, who do not have a store-front. Director of Communications at the agency, Latoya Halstead, is advising consumers not to make full payment for an item before delivery. “I would recommend cash on delivery because these are hard times and people will...

Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. says that businesses and consumers will have until June 2021 to become fully compliant with the measures under the third phase of the ban on single-use plastics, which take effect on January 1. This phase relates to the importation, distribution, manufacture and use of commercial single-use...