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In this file photo Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), greets visitors attending the Accompong Maroon celebrations held on Friday (January 6) in St. Elizabeth.

Long-Term Sustainable Development of Tourism

The Government is committed to the long-term sustainable development of tourism as it is expected to earn approximately US$2.835 billion, with total visitor arrivals of 4.188 million this year. Delivering the 2017-18 Throne Speech in Parliament on February 9, Governor-General,...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond
McKenzie, addresses the launch of the mobile property tax unit in Port Maria, St. Mary, on February 8. (FILE) — Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses the launch of the mobile property tax unit in Port Maria, St. Mary, on February 8. (FILE)

Gov’t Will Not Interfere With Church Property Tax Exemptions – Minister Mckenzie

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right), delivers the Throne Speech during the opening of the 2017-18 session of Parliament at Gordon House today (February 9). The Speech was delivered under the theme: ‘A Firm Foundation for Prosperity’. At left is the Governor- General’s Aide-de-Camp, Major Eldon Morgan.

Strong Legislative Agenda for 2017-18

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), cuts the ribbon to officially launch the mobile property tax unit in Port Maria, St.

Mary, on February 8. Others (from second left) are: Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor

Richard Creary; President of the Lay Magistrates Association in St. Mary, Maxine

Marsh; and Parish Manager, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), St. Mary, Cynthia
Gilmore. — Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), cuts the ribbon to officially launch the mobile property tax unit in Port Maria, St. Mary, on February 8. Others (from second left) are: Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary; President of the Lay Magistrates Association in St. Mary, Maxine Marsh; and Parish Manager, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), St. Mary, Cynthia Gilmore.

Local Government Ministry Rolls Out Property Tax Units

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, presents a plaque to Joyce Spence in recognition of her 20 years as Appleton Estate master blender and the first female to hold this position in the spirits industry. Occasion was a function held at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington D.C on February 4 to honour the master blender. Sharing in the occasion is J. Wray & Nephew’s Global Brand Public Relations Manager, Catherine McDonald.

Jamaican Embassy in Washington Pays Tribute to First Female Master Blender

Home constructed under the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) Sandhill Vista housing development programme in Hellshire, St. Catherine, which were handed over to beneficiaries in 2015 (FILE)

9 years ago Housing

Final Report on NHT Strategic Review to be Completed in March

The final report on the strategic review of the National Housing Trust (NHT) is expected to be completed by March this year. This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, when he delivered the 2017-18 Throne Speech in Parliament on February 9. “This will form part of the strategic National Housing Policy and Implementation Plan...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck. (FILE)

9 years ago Justice

Notaries Public Act to be Amended

The Notaries Public Act is to be amended to allow Justices of the Peace to be appointed as Notaries Public. The proposed amendment is part of a list of legislation that the Government is working on in an effort to reform the Justice system. Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, made the disclosure while speaking at the launch of the...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, speaking in the House of Representatives on Thursday (February 9) after tabling the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure.

9 years ago Budget 2017/2018Finance & Public Service

Government Presents Budget of $710 Billion for 2017-18

The Government has presented a budget of $710 billion for the fiscal year 2017-18, with $485 billion allocated for recurrent (housekeeping) expenses and $225 billion for capital (development) spending. Details of the projections are outlined in the Estimates of Expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives, yesterday (February 19), by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon....

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), speaks with Ambassador of Ecuador in Cuba, Dr. Fabian Solano Moreno (right), and Honorary Consul for Ecuador, Celia Barreto de Hunter, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on February 8. The Minister addressed members of the Diplomatic Corps as part of activities for Diplomatic Week 2017, which will last from February 5 to 10.

9 years ago Commerce

Agro Processing Industry to be Expanded

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says the Government is focusing on expanding the local agro processing industry, as part of its job creation strategy. In his address to members of the Diplomatic Corps on February 8 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Mr. Samuda spoke of the merits of the industry, which converts...

Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Co-Chair, Keith Duncan, displays a copy of the Public Sector Transformation Oversight Committee (P-STOC) report while addressing journalists during EPOC’s quarterly briefing at Jamaica Money Market Brokers Limited’s (JMMB) head office in New Kingston on Thursday, February 9.

9 years ago Finance & Public Service

Jamaica on Track to Meet IMF Targets

Jamaica has met or is on track to meet all 12 quantitative performance indicators and structural benchmarks under the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) Precautionary Stand By Arrangement (PSBA) for the period ending December 2016. Key among these are the central Government primary surplus balance; grants and revenues; inflation; new property tax rates and bands; and formation of the Financial...

Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (2nd right), shares a photo opportunity with Principal of Herbert Morrison Technical High School, Paul Adams (3rd right), who is the Jamaica Teaching Council’s (JTC) Outstanding Principal for 2016. The presentation ceremony was held at the institution in Bogue, St. James, on February 8. Sharing in the occasion (from left) are: Western Regional Director in the Ministry, Dr. Michelle Pinnock; Chief Education Officer, Dr. Grace McLean; Chairman of the Herbert Morrison Technical High School Board of Governors, Veronica Morris Lynch; and Chief Executive Director of the JTC, Dr. Winsome Gordon.

9 years ago Education

Paul Adams is Jamaica Teaching Council’s Outstanding Principal

Principal of the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in St. James, Paul Patrick Adams, is the Jamaica Teaching Council’s (JTC) Outstanding Principal for 2016. Mr. Adams, who has been at the helm of the Bogue-based institution since 2002, was presented with the award by Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, during a ceremony at the school...

Legislators in the House of Representatives. (File)

9 years ago Budget 2017/2018Social Security

Gov’t to Increase PATH Benefits

The Government will be increasing the benefits paid to approximately 380,000 Jamaicans under the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH). PATH is the Government’s flagship social intervention initiative, which is aimed at delivering benefits by way of cash grants to the most needy and vulnerable in the society. Delivering the 2017-18 Throne Speech in Gordon House on February...