The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has endorsed the establishment of the Government’s Economic Growth Council. The Council, chaired by businessman, Michael Lee-Chin, will advise the Government on a framework of proposed initiatives that are expected to yield economic growth. Caribbean Country General Manager for the IDB, Therese Turner-Jones, describes it as a step in the right direction, and that “creating...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has reported that the country recorded an estimated growth of 0.8 per cent for the 2015 calendar year. Director General, Colin Bullock, in a quarterly economic press briefing at the PIOJ offices on March 3, told media personnel  that this growth of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) represents an improvement of performance over the...

Director, Taxation Policy Division, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ian Scarlett, is urging young Jamaicans to use the training they have received at various academic institutions and create employment opportunities for themselves. “The days of going to school, graduating from university and getting a job or having someone employ you, those days are numbered. It now means that you have...

World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, Sophie Sirtaine has hailed the Government of Jamaica’s ‘strong commitment’ to the Economic Reform Programme. Ms. Sirtaine, who was addressing journalists at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on May 6, said economic reform for the country was not an easy one due to vulnerability to disasters and economic shock. However, she said...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says the administration is resuscitating traditional economic activities in which Jamaica has already established a track record of meeting world competition, as it pursues its objective of economic and employment growth. Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) Ninth Regional Conference...

Minister with responsibility for the Public Sector, Hon. Horace Dalley, says economic growth is integrally linked to a performance driven public sector, which operates with efficiency. Speaking at the 2013 Civil Service Long Service Awards ceremony at King’s House on November 20, where some 253 persons were recognised, the Minister said their stellar contribution fits well with the vision for...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, says Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become engines for social and economic growth globally. “Their appropriate utilization can improve the lives of all Jamaicans and the vision is for Jamaica to utilize ICTs to attain developed country status by 2030. This will involve growth...