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KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says Government’s primary objective will be to make full use of current financial stability to create a base for growth and prosperity. Opening of the Budget Debate in Parliament on Thursday April 28, Mr. Shaw said the Government plans to achieve a balanced budget by 2015/16. He said...

KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says that the modernization of the Central Treasury Management System (CTMS) is far advanced, and a series of strategic improvements has begun. Opening the 2011/12 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, Thursday April 27, Mr. Shaw said this system will create a single treasury account, to better...

KINGSTON — The Tax Administration Jamaica will be introducing a mechanism to allow the public to confidentially call or mail in information on persons suspected of cheating the Government out of much-needed revenue. A Tax-Cheat toll-free line, 1-888-292-4328, will be introduced on May 1, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw revealed, as he opened his budget...

KINGSTON — Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw,said that the establishment of Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) should take effect on May 1. The creation of the single entity for tax administration is being facilitated by the merger of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the Taxpayer Audit and Assessment Department (TAAD) and the Tax Administration Services Department (TASD)....

KINGSTON — With just days before the Government’s new tax-cheat hotline officially goes into operation, the number announced by Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw on April 28 is already being bombarded with calls. Director General for Tax Administration, Viralee Latibeaudiere, said April 29, that while the hotline does not officially open until May 1 “several hundred eager...

MANDEVILLE — Five Jamaican high school students have received scholarships valued at approximately $25 million (US$287,500) from West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco) and its parent company UC RUSAL, to study engineering at the People’s Friendship University in Moscow, Russia. The recipients, who were chosen from Windalco operation communities in the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Ann are: Jodian Campbell,...

KINGSTON — Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw says that a tax reform process is to be undertaken, which is planned for implementation in three stages. The move is in keeping with the medium-term (three-year) tax policy framework proposed for Jamaica, which is aimed at simplifying and ensuring equity in the tax system, while meeting the revenue demands...

KINGSTON — The Jamaican economy is expected to grow beyond the 1.5 per cent target envisaged for this fiscal year, says Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw. “It is a modest growth target...and it is my intention that with the signs that I have seen, and with the hard work that we are all committed to, it is...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding congratulated 291 constables at their passing out parade on April 29 and charged them to continue the strides being made by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Prime Minister Golding was the Reviewing Officer and keynote speaker at the police academy. Giving his charge, Mr. Golding said, "You are joining the force at a time...

MANDEVILLE — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton says the agricultural sector is currently receiving more favourable attention from financial institutions. Speaking at an Arable lands Irrigated and Growing for the Nation (ALIGN) business meeting on April 27, at the St. Dorothy’s Anglican Church, in Church Pen, St. Catherine, the Minister said that while he is yet...

KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw has announced a reduction in the Common External Tariff  (CET) on motor vehicles, as part of measures to stimulate the industry. Opening the 2011/12 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on April 28, Mr. Shaw informed that effective May 2, 2011, the CET applicable to motor cars,...

KINGSTON — The Government is in discussions with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on financing for a US$13 million energy saving programme for the public sector, projected to start this year. An energy audit has identified potential savings of US$30 million per annum from the project, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, told the House of...