Total damage and losses associated with the passage of Hurricane Melissa are estimated at $1.952 trillion (US$12.2 billion), says Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry. This figure is equivalent to 56.7 per cent of Jamaica’s 2024 gross domestic product (GDP). It is up from earlier estimates from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which placed the cost...

Financial institutions are undertaking upgrades and expansions to their infrastructure to ensure the seamless integration of the National Identification System (NIDS) into their operations. An electronic form of identification, NIDS will establish a comprehensive and secure database to capture and store the personal information of citizens and non nationals ordinarily residing in Jamaica. Minister of Finance and the Public Service,...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, says recruitment will be done to fill the post of National Security Advisor (NSA). She made the disclosure during the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee at Gordon House on Thursday (March 5). She explained that someone was previously acting in the post but has since gone off on a...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, says the Government is closely monitoring the global increase in oil prices, stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. She noted that since the United States and Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran on February 28, “we’ve seen oil prices go from about US$64 per barrel to US$74, an...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, indicated that at this stage it is unlikely Jamaica will experience an economic recession in the short term, barring any unforeseen shocks. He addressed the matter on Tuesday, March 3, during the PIOJ’s quarterly hybrid media briefing, where he provided preliminary estimates on the economy’s performance for the...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting an estimated 7.5 per cent decline in economic performance for the October to December 2025 quarter, compared with the corresponding period in 2024. PIOJ Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, explained that the out-turn was largely influenced by the effects of Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which caused widespread destruction through gale-force winds, storm...

Redevelopment of the St. James-based Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) is expected to be completed in the new fiscal year, through a $5-billion allocation from the Government. Details are outlined in the 2026/2027 Estimates of Expenditure, which is before the House of Representatives. The funds will be spent to continue civil works associated with Phase III of the project, achieving 95...