At its meetings on 18 and 19 December 2023, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) noted the following: 1.      Jamaica’s annual headline inflation rate at November 2023 of 6.3 per cent, which was outside the Bank’s target range of 4.0 to 6.0 per cent, was above the 5.1 per cent recorded at October 2023 but was much lower than the peak rate...

Jamaica is now either fully or partially compliant with 37 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations. The recommendations constitute the international standards by which jurisdictions’ preventative measures to combat the risks posed by criminals to launder the proceeds of crime and finance terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are assessed. Providing the update in the...

Consumers are being encouraged to strategise and reduce their use of cash during the holiday season and even beyond. The advice comes from the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), in light of an increase in complaints of challenges in accessing cash at automated banking machines (ABMs). Director of Communications, Latoya Halstead, told a JIS Think Tank on December 14 that those...

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, delivers the keynote address during the National Education Trust (NET) Employee Recognition and Awards Ceremony, held on December 19 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Approximately 95 per cent of early-childhood institutions have been registered with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC). This was disclosed by Acting Communications Manager at the ECC, Sonia Stewart, at the opening ceremony of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Early Childhood Education Conference at the Holiday Inn Resort in St. James on December 18. “The drive to get institutions compliant with...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Hon. Marsha Smith (third left) along with (from left) Campus Registrar, University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, Dr. Donovan Stanberry; Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Professor Densil Williams; Former Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall;...

Organisers of parties for the Christmas holiday season are being reminded to apply for the requisite permits before they stage these events. Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Corporate Communications Unit, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay, told a JIS Think Tank on December 14, that it is important for all parties involved to be aware of these...