The Youth Advisory Committee of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO will be spearheading a series of youth engagement seminars across the island. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who is the Chairman of the Committee, said that the outreach activities are aimed at encouraging more youngsters to...

Jamaica has welcomed approximately two million visitors for the first half of 2019, earning US$2 billion in revenues. Last year, the country had record arrivals of 4.32 million visitors with earnings of US$3.3 billion. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., highlighted the figures while opening debate on the...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) will be conducting the Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey (JNCVS) between September and November 2019 to gather people’s perception of public safety and the criminal justice system. The survey will allow for a better understanding of people’s views of safety in their communities, their confidence in law-enforcement agencies, and the socio-demographic details of the...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says more enforcement is needed to protect the nation’s water assets from violations. Senator Charles Jr., who was speaking with stakeholders at the Manchester Municipal Corporation recently, to address water challenges affecting communities in the parish, outlined that many times water pipelines...

Director General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Carol Coy, is encouraging National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in the Caribbean region to be more technical and timely in their reporting of data, which contribute greatly to the advancement of the region. Speaking at the closing ceremony for a Caribbean Leadership Training Session on Friday (July 5) at The Jamaica Pegasus...

The Petroleum (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to transfer the rights and obligations of the PetroCaribe Development Fund (PDF) to the Government of Jamaica, was passed in the Senate on Friday (July 5). Under the amendments, the PDF’s functions and a small amount of liabilities will be integrated into the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, and the Fund, as...

Persons who invest in the purchase and renovation of industrial buildings or structures for the purposes of trade are eligible for a 20 per cent allowance on the capital expenditure. This is outlined in the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2019, which was approved by the Senate recently. The Bill also gives approval to the increase in the personal income tax...