The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a three-year US$1.64 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Jamaica, as a signal of its continued support of the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) economic programme and the strengthening of the country’s macroeconomic framework. The Stand-By Arrangement will replace the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) which was scheduled to end in March...

A Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)-commissioned study shows that an overwhelming majority of private sector organizations canvassed would recruit persons with hearing impairments. The School-to-Work Transition for the Deaf study notes that 94 per cent of the interviewees believe, among other things, that members of this group should be given similar opportunities, inclusive of employment, as are afforded to persons...

Chairman of the Economic Growth Council (EGC), Michael Lee-Chin, says the Council plans to provide quarterly updates to the nation on the progress of each of the eight growth initiatives outlined to the Cabinet. In a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) television ‘Issues and Answers’ interview, Mr. Lee-Chin said this will be done to ensure transparency of the Council. “We’ll...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaicans are buying into the vision of the Economic Growth Council (EGC) and its push to generate sustained levels of economic growth. The Council, chaired by businessman Michael-Lee Chin, is targeting gross domestic product (GDP) growth of five per cent over the next four years. The Prime Minister, who was speaking in...

With an increasing demand for jobs in Jamaica, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) system has been matching prospective employees to jobs. Since its inception in 2002, more than 14,000 persons have registered with the system, including almost 900 employers. Labour Component Coordinator, ELE, Lyndon Ford, tells JIS News that the Ministry has...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has indicated that the Economic Growth Council (EGC) is to prepare and submit a report with proposals of various growth initiatives for the Government to undertake. This report will follow a series of consultations already carried out by the EGC with over 50 stakeholders from Government, the private sector, the Opposition, international partners,...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Economic Growth Council (EGC) remains committed to achieving the target of five per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) within the next four years. “Five per cent might look like a great feat… but we are starting and I am confident that we will achieve (it),” he said at a...