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Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, addresses the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Caribbean Group of Securities Regulators' (CGSR) Conference and Workshop on November 6, at the Hylton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in St. James.

Gov’t Presents Budget of $539.35 Billion

The Government has presented a budget of $539.35 billion for 2014/15, with $404.654 billion earmarked for Recurrent (house-keeping) expenses and $134.698 billion for Capital (development) spending. This represents an increase of $39 billion over the revised Estimates for 2013/14, which...

Prime Minister the Most. Hon. Hon Portia Simpson Miller (third left), leads Government members into Gordon House for the State Opening of Parliament, today (April 3). Other members of the Government (from left) are: Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams; Minister with Responsibility for Sports, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley; Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna; Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott and Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivered the Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’.

New Parliamentary Year Begins

Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites greets students from the St. George's Girls Primary and Infant School in downtown Kingston, before the start of the State Opening of Parliament, today (April 3). Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivered the Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’.

More Improvements for Education Sector This Year

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (2nd right), cuts the ribbon to formally open the newly refurbished Berrydale rafting station and loading bay in Portland on Wednesday (April 2). The loading bay, which was refurbished at a cost of $2.8 million, is one of four projects undertaken in the parish by the Tourism and Entertainment Ministry at a cost of over $48 million, with funding provided by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). Assisting the Minister (from left) are: Port Antonio Mayor, Councillor Benny White; Portland’s Custos Rotulorum, Hon. Lincoln Thaxter; Member of Parliament for East Portland, where the facility is located, Dr. Lynvale Bloomfield; Tourism and Entertainment State Minister, Hon. Damion Crawford.

Projects Completed in Portland to Boost Tourism

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (left) and Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, greet students from the St. George's Girls Primary and Infant School in downtown Kingston, before the start of the State Opening of Parliament, today (April 3). Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivered the Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’.

Decline in All Major Crimes

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon Omar Davies (left) in discussion with Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon Peter Phillips, before the start of the State Opening of Parliament, today (April 3). Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivered the Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’.

12 years ago Budget 2014/2015Governor GeneralParliament

NHT to Spend $22 Billion on Housing This Year

The National Housing Trust (NHT) will spend $22 billion this financial year, to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing solutions to Jamaicans. Delivering the Throne Speech in Gordon House on Thursday, April 3, Governor- General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, said the figure is similar to what the Trust spent last year. He said the NHT will...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, inspects the guard of honour mounted by the Jamaica Defence Force before delivering the Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’, at the State Opening of Parliament on April 3.

12 years ago Budget 2014/2015Governor GeneralParliament

Economy Stronger Than A Year Ago – GG

The economy is stronger than it was one year ago, as evidenced by three consecutive quarters of growth. Making the declaration today (April 3), Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, noted that despite the global economy remaining sluggish, the Government has stayed the course with its economic policies. The Governor-General was delivering the Throne Speech at the...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivers the Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’, at the State Opening of Parliament, today (April 3). Standing at right is the Governor General’s Aid de Camp, Major Morton Stewart.

12 years ago Budget 2014/2015Governor GeneralParliament

Government to Spend $4 Billion to Protect the Most Vulnerable

Government will spend over $4 billion for the protection of the most vulnerable groups, during the 2014/15 Financial Year. This will include Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiaries, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and the unemployed. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, informed that $73 million of this amount will be spent on...

Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations, Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Kirk Finnikin (right), addresses journalists during a press briefing held at the JUTC’s Twickenham Park headquarters offices, on April 1. Also pictured is: Managing Director of the JUTC, Colin Campbell.

12 years ago Transport

Sub-Franchise Reforms to Bring in $5 Million Daily – JUTC MD

Managing Director (MD) of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Colin Campbell, says the bus company is projected to earn an additional $5 million per day from the reformed sub-franchise system. “We expect that the revision of the franchise system will move the JUTC’s revenues from just over $300 million to about $400 million per month,” Mr. Campbell said during...

12 years ago Commerce

500 Buyers Registered For Expo Jamaica 2014

Expo Jamaica 2014 promises to be bigger and better than previous years, with over 500 buyers registered for the event, exceeding the 380 recorded for its 2012 staging. The four-day show, to be held from April 3 to 6 at the National Arena in Kingston, will allow buyers, manufacturers, distributors, and investors to showcase all things Jamaican under the theme:...

Managing Director of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Colin Campbell (right), displays for the new sub-franchise stickers and identification cards that franchisees will be required to display on their buses under the reformed system. Also pictured is: Deputy Managing Director in charge of Engineering and Technical Services, John Campbell. The occasion was a press briefing held at the JUTC’s Twickenham Park, St. Catherine offices on April 1.

12 years ago Transport

Special Police Team to Help Enforce New JUTC Regulations

A special transit police team will be set up within weeks to help enforce regulations in the transportation sector, as the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) rolls out its newly reformed sub-franchise system. The team will consist of officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), who will assist the Transport Authority and the JUTC in enforcing policies governing the sector....

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell (centre) presents a copy of the renewed telecoms and spectrum licence to Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Barry O’Brien (left); while CEO of LIME, Garfield Sinclair, looks on. Occasion was a media briefing at the Ministry on April 2, where the Minister signed the new licencing agreements.

12 years ago Technology

Government Renews Telecoms Licences

The country will see some $12.6 billion (US$115) in revenue as a result of Government’s renewal of the telecoms and spectrum licences of Digicel Jamaica, and LIME, for the next 15 years. The renewal of the licences and award of additional spectrum to both entities, represents some J$9.36 billion (US$85 million) in investment from Digicel, and J$3.29 billion (US$30 million)...