The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will shortly embark on a programme aimed at increasing and safeguarding the export of Jamaica’s non-traditional agricultural produce and products. The programme, which will target local farmers and exporters, aims to create an export platform framework that facilitates exchange between suppliers and purchasers in Jamaica and overseas. This is to be achieved through, among...

The following is a press release issued from the Ministry of Finance and Planning: This morning whilst addressing a meeting with a number of trade union leaders Minister Phillips indicated that he will be conducting a review of the announced revenue measures and will shortly announce if any adjustments will be made. He informed the meeting, however, that the basic...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, is expressing optimism that the revised Fisheries Bill will be tabled in the House of Representatives during the 2014/15 Parliamentary year. The Bill will provide the framework for the proper regulation of the sector and efficient and effective management of the island’s fisheries resources. Mr. Clarke made the disclosure while making his...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says agriculture has returned to its “positive growth trajectory”, which he credits to the resilience of farmers, and strategies that the Ministry employed to revive the sector. He noted that the rebound has resulted in an 18 per cent growth for the first three months of 2014, and an increase of 14...

As the Government moves to intensify its anti-praedial larceny thrust, a national animal identification and traceability system, which entails tagging cattle, is to be rolled out by the second quarter of this year. Making the announcement during his contribution to the 2014/15 Budget Debate in the House, on Wednesday, April 23, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, stressed...

Contracts amounting to $620 million are to go before Cabinet for its approval, to provide for the installation of critical infrastructure in the agro parks across the island. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, said the funds will be spent on installing drainage, roads and a packing house in New Forest/Duff House; a comprehensive irrigation scheme to service...

Opposition Spokesman on Finance and Planning, Audley Shaw, is recommending that the National Housing Trust (NHT) lift the ceiling on the amount of money loaned to depositors to purchase homes. He made the recommendation during his contribution in the 2014/15 budget debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 22. “The present limit of $4.5 million I believe…should be...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, has warned praedial thieves that new and stronger anti-praedial larceny measures will be revealed when he makes his presentation in the Budget Debate, on April 23. Addressing the opening ceremony at the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, in St. James, on April 21, the Minister said the weight of the police and...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, says the levy to be charged on financial institution transactions, effective June 1, represents the option that is deemed to be the least challenging for the society’s most vulnerable. Addressing journalists at a post-Budget media briefing at Jamaica House on April 22, Dr. Phillips said several other options that were proposed...