More

Just over $40 million in additional funding has been provided in the 2017/18 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled recently in the House of Representatives, to conclude the build-out of the Accountant General’s Department (AGD). The project, being spearheaded by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and which commenced during the 2016/17 fiscal year, entails refurbishing of alternative office space for the AGD’s...

The Government has set aside $6.7 billion for the continuation of projects under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) in the next fiscal year. The money has been made available in the 2017/18 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The initiative, which falls under the Social Protection Project II, is being implemented by the...

The Government has allocated $744.22 million to support the National HIV/AIDS response in Jamaica. Details are given in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. The objective of the project is to reduce AIDS-related morbidity and mortality with effective biomedical and supporting interventions; and reduce new HIV infections among key populations through behavioural and structural interventions....

The Government has allocated $29.72 million towards the strengthening of health systems in Jamaica. This is outlined in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. The specific objective is the crafting of a comprehensive 10-year Strategic Development Plan for the health sector, as part of the integrated health service delivery framework. The project also has as...

The Government has allocated $1.3 billion towards the acquisition of spare parts and special tools for the maintenance of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) fleet of buses. The sum is provided for in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. To be implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Mining with funding provided through the...

The Government has allocated $850 million to a project to strengthen the enabling environment for private sector competitiveness, which will help the country unleash productivity and growth. This will be achieved by enhancing competition in the business environment, facilitating large-scale private investments, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) capabilities and finance, essential to unleash private sector productivity upgrading and job...

A sum of $20 million has been allocated in the 2017-18 budget for a project to enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector and coastal areas. As provided for in the Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the project aims to protect livelihood and food security in vulnerable communities by improving land and water management for the...

The Department of Correctional Services has received $202 million to purchase vehicles and improve adult institutions in the next fiscal year. Of the figure, $180 million will go towards renovation and rehabilitation at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston, while the remainder will be used to purchase vehicles for the Department. This is outlined in the 2017-18 Estimates...

The Government has allocated $17 million for the completion of a project to facilitate increased production and more diversified exports of agricultural and agro-processed products to the European Union market. The allocation to the European Development Fund (EDF) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Capacity Building Project is included in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. For...

The Government will spend $46.6 million to upgrade the country’s international postal system in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Funding for this initiative will be provided by the Universal Postal Union, an international organisation which helps to ensure a universal network of up-to-date products and services. The money has been set aside in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the...

The Government is to strengthen the policy, legislative and institutional framework that guides the management and treatment of involuntary returned migrants (deportees) to the island. Some $13.8 million has been set aside in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, for the activities under the Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Involuntary Returned Migrants in Jamaica. To be...

The Government will spend $19.2 million to improve the levels of innovation by building and strengthening capacities in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I). Funding for this initiative is being provided by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. The money has been set aside in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives....