The Government has finalised arrangements with the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China to access loan funding for road improvement projects in the southeastern and southwestern sections of Jamaica. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the projects will cost US$384 million. Of the sum, US$57 million will be provided by the Jamaican government. He was speaking at a press...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Port Authority of Jamaica will be spending $3.8 billion to increase Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) space in Kingston and Montego Bay. Addressing the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St. James on June 15, Mr. Shaw pointed out...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, is calling on high-school leavers to take up the 10,000 spaces available under the Career Advancement Programme (CAP). Through the programme, offered at over 100 centres islandwide, students are provided with the opportunity for an additional two years of study in order to gain certification in a wide range...

Director General at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Carol Coy, has highlighted the importance of statistics in impacting economic growth and national development. Speaking at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, Miss Coy said that statistics and the findings from surveys that the agency administers assist in guiding policymakers and providing information to the public. “The Government needs information in...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government has identified a number of strategic investment projects as it targets economic growth and job creation. The projects, which will be given priority attention over the next two fiscal years include privatisation of the Kingston Container Terminal and Norman Manley International Airport, and road infrastructure and tourism...

Traffic congestion leading into the city of Montego Bay should be eased soon, following a commitment from the Government to build a bypass at an estimated cost of US$200 million. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, made the announcement at a Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre,...

The Government is seeking to amend the Constitution to allow for retired judges to offer their services. Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said the amendment will enable these judges to be re-engaged as needed by the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal. He said the retirement age will still remain at age 70. “All of...