The Government will be spending $1 billion to assist with the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The funds, which have been allotted in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, will facilitate increased access to financing for MSMEs under two projects being undertaken by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). These are the Credit Enhancement Programme, for which a...

Activities under the Palisadoes Shore and Road Project will continue in the new fiscal year with another allotment of $5 million. As outlined in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the money will go towards the continued monitoring of mangroves by the University of the West Indies (UWI). Being implemented by the Ministry of Economic...

The establishment of United Nations (UN) House in Jamaica, which began in 2017, is expected to be completed by March 2020. This follows an additional allotment of $150 million for the project in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The money will go towards renovation works on Block 11 at 14-16 Port Royal Street in...

The Government will spend another $4.78 billion in 2019/2020 to continue the improvement of the island’s road infrastructure. This is outlined in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The money, which has been provided under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP), will go towards commencing road construction works along the Ferris to Mackfield stretch in...

Work to expand the Harbour View, St. Andrew to Yallahs, St. Thomas roadway to four lanes, is to begin this fiscal year under the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project. A sum of $8.42 billion has been set aside in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure to undertake, among other activities, the reconstruction of this 17.4-kilometre stretch of road and achieve seven...

The University of the West Indies (UWI) is being encouraged to provide ongoing support, through research, for accelerated economic and social development in Jamaica. Minister without Portfolio in the Finance and the Public Service Ministry, Hon. Fayval Williams, noted that as a “knowledge producer”, the UWI is well positioned for this undertaking. She also urged well-thinking Jamaicans to join the...

The Post and Telecommunications Department is modernising its facilities and operations. Eastern Regional Coordinator, Natasha Russell Martin, says three post offices in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Falmouth were recently renovated, and notes that significant stakeholder support was provided. She told JIS News that the General Post Office (GPO) on King Street, downtown Kingston was refurbished, after being closed for one...