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The Jamaica Business Taxation Reform (JAMTAX) has been given $15.7 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project seeks to improve the regulatory, institutional and administrative framework for business taxation by reforming the tax appeal process and legislative framework. Allocation for this fiscal year will be used to: complete the Tax Compliance Cost...

A sum of $592.79 million will be spent this year on a project to improve the market access for micro and small-scale rural agricultural producers and tourism product and service providers. This allocation to the project, titled ‘Rural Economic Development Initiative’, is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Through this project, which started...

A total of $459.8 million is to be spent this financial year on a project to expand and rehabilitate eight schools, and to complete rehabilitation of three roads and two water supply systems. Titled the Basic Needs Trust Fund (Seven), the project is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which began...

Two of the island’s correctional facilities are slated to be improved this fiscal year through a $253 million allocation to the Construction and Improvement of Correctional Facilities project, in the Ministry of National Security. As contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the money will go towards completing construction of the new 306-bed dormitory...

A sum of $50.2 million has been allocated to the Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project aims to contribute to the implementation of Montego Bay’s urban sustainability Action Plan, which seeks to address the main environmental, urban and fiscal issues affecting the long term sustainability of the...

The Government has set aside a sum of $93 million for this year’s continuation of projects under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) III. Details of the project are outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with financing from the European Union...

Work is to continue on the development of an Energy Services Company (ESCO) Industry in Jamaica with a further budgetary allocation of $2.1 million this fiscal year. The funds have been made available in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which got underway in April 2012, is being implemented by the Ministry of...

The Government has allocated more than $26 million to strengthen Jamaica’s health systems, through the development of a 10-year Strategic Development Plan for the sector. This is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives on April 14. Under the project, titled ‘Strengthening of Health Systems in Jamaica’, there will also be the creation of...

The Government has allocated $250 million to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) for the procurement of new garbage trucks. The sum is part of $255 million provided to the agency in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. The remaining $5 million will go towards engaging the services of a consultant/firm to assist in...

Formulation of the national plan on migration will be advanced this fiscal year through an allotment of $26.3 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which began in January 2011, aims to build the capacity of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to implement the National Plan of Action (NPA) on Migration and...

The Government has allocated $34 million to undertake work at the Portmore Hagen Climate Change Park in St. Catherine. As outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the project aims to provide recreational space for relaxation; act as an educational tool to illustrate the generation and use of renewable energy; while reducing the carbon...

Construction of new offices downtown Kingston to house the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is expected to get underway this fiscal year. A sum of $666 million has been set aside in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to carry out the works. The new facility will provide adequate accommodation for staff, meeting...