Approximately $1.13 billion has been earmarked to continue the Strategic Public Sector Transformation Project’s implementation by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, during fiscal year 2021/22. The allocation is contained in the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The Project, which commenced in 2014, is divided into five components and aims to strengthen public...

Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, says plans are advanced to develop and implement the use of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) locally. Speaking during the BOJ’s digital quarterly briefing on Friday (February 19), Mr. Byles said that over the last couple months, the Bank undertook the requisite preliminary work relating to assessments and protocols for approval of...

Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, says Jamaica’s net international reserves (NIR), totalling just under US$3 billion as at February 16, should be “quite adequate” to see the country through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis. Speaking during the BOJ’s digital quarterly briefing on Friday (February 19), Mr. Byles said that notwithstanding the fallout in tourism earnings due to a...

The Government has budgeted $2.09 billion to continue the Public Sector Transformation Implementation Project during the upcoming fiscal year. This sum is contained in the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives on February 18. The project, which runs from January 2018 to January 2024, aims to improve public service delivery by enhancing the quality...

Pensioners, who have not yet submitted their life certificates for the first quarter of the year (January- March) are being reminded to do so by the Accountant General’s Department (AGD). “Life certificates for the first quarter are due January 31 and we have noted that there are outstanding certificates,” Acting Director of Communication and Customer Service at the AGD, Kelsea...

The Government has allocated $20 million towards the rehabilitation and modification of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s Caenwood and National Heroes Circle premises. The objective is to renovate, repair and expand existing office spaces at both locations. This is contained in the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives by the Minister of...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, says that public sector workers will receive a modest increase in salary during the upcoming financial year. He made the disclosure as he tabled the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure in the House of Representatives on February 18. “After factoring in annual increments, a very modest increase in wages...