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Finance and Planning Minister, Hon.  Dr. Peter Phillips, said that the $11.2 billion added to the budget will allow for a pay down on arrears and ease the burden on the government of carrying over outstanding amounts to the next fiscal year. He was explaining the need for a third Supplementary Estimates, reflecting the increased spending for the financial year,...

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, will chair the board of the proposed Jamaica Energy Council (JEC), establishment of which has been approved by Cabinet. Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, said the Council was being established to, among other things, deliberate on and give consideration to the country’s energy needs, going forward,...

Total remittance inflows of just under US$1.7 billion for the first 10 months (April to January) of the 2011/12 fiscal year represent the largest sum since the 2008/09 fiscal year. This information is contained in the latest Balance of Payments Remittance Report (January 2012), published by the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ). For the review period, net remittances were US$1.468 billion,...

Public sector employees, who are designated travelling officers, are set to receive a 22.5 per cent increase in their travelling allowance over the next two years. Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, made the announcement at on March 21 Jamaica House media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. She said Cabinet approved the increase,...

Cabinet has established a special sub-committee to examine measures that are required to create a more enabling business environment. This was disclosed by Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips on March 22, during his address at the Jamaica Exporters Association’s (JEA) monthly luncheon at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston. The Minister informed that...

A two-man delegation, led by Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, is in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago for a preparatory meeting for the ‘Connecting the Americas’ summit. Part of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Connect the World Series, the summit, to be held in Panama from...

Following the polling of ‘Special Services Electors’ comprising members of the security forces and election day-workers on Wednesday March 21, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is reporting a 44.9 per cent voter turnout,  with the Municipality of Portmore recording a 40.9 per cent voter turnout. Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher, said despite the low voter turnout, overall, the proceedings...

A total of US$16,150 was handed over to the Salvation Army, on March 22 by United Way of Jamaica, as a part of measures to support the restoration efforts in Haiti. The cheque was handed over during a brief ceremony held at the National Volunteer Centre, Camp Road, in Kingston. The sum represents the micro credit component of the restorative...

Reaping of Irish potato, planted under a project involving the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Newport Fersan, Agro Grace, and the Christiana Potato Growers, is now taking place at locations across the island. Cyril Chambers from the Marketing Development Unit of Agro Grace told JIS News that the crop was cultivated on nine demonstration plots in nine parishes across the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has applauded the Sandals group for the move to establish a corporate university for the training of employees. Through investment of US$5 million and in partnership with locally and internationally-recognised training institutions, the more than 10,000 employees of the 17 Sandals resorts throughout the region, will benefit from basic hospitality-specific training and...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, said the government is working assiduously to improve Jamaica’s global competitiveness ranking, following a significant decline over the last year. She said to achieve this goal, the Ministry will be working to remove many of the significant hindrances to doing business that now exist and secure...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has said that divestment of the Government’s shares in Clarendon Alumina Partners (CAP) is still subject to discussions with interested parties. The Minister, was addressing the introductory meeting with the newly installed board of CAP at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute in Kingston on March 21, said all options will be...