A sum of $100 million has been allocated to the Rural Economic Development Initiative II. This is outlined in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project seeks to enhance access to markets and to climate-resilient approaches for targeted beneficiaries (rural enterprises). For the upcoming fiscal year, the project will rehabilitate the Bethel Town Sorrel...

The Government has allocated $1.6 billion towards implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) for Economic Growth project. This is outlined in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The programme aims to provide a secure, reliable and unique method of authenticating an individual's identity. So far, a vendor to develop the NIDS has been engaged,...

The Government has presented a Budget of $852.7 billion, with $778.4 billion allocated for Recurrent (housekeeping) expenses and $74.2 billion for Capital (development) projects. Details of the projections are outlined in the Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives, today (February 11), by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke. The Ministry of...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is currently conducting the first ever Global Services Sector (GSS) survey. The study began on January 20 in all parishes and will run until March 2020. GSS, more commonly associated with business process outsourcing (BPO), also includes operations in areas such as information technology-enabled services (ITES), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), and legal process outsourcing...

The Government is implementing several measures to supply communities with water islandwide during the current period of drought. The Meteorological Service Branch has projected that the country will be experiencing near normal rainfall in some areas and moderately dry conditions up to at least April. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon....

The Patents and Designs Bill, which is aimed at modernising Jamaica’s intellectual property regime, was passed in the Senate on Wednesday (January 23). Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, who piloted the legislation, said it will impact positively on the country’s economic development. “It will allow us to...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaica is poised to enter a period of sustainable economic growth as evidenced by, among other things, extensive investments in infrastructure developments either now under way or programmed for implementation. Among these, he noted, are significant engagements in commercial, industrial and residential construction as well as the country’s road, telecommunications, water, sewerage...