The Government has allocated approximately $830 million to the Credit Enhancement Programme for the 2020/21 fiscal year. The Credit Enhancement Programme is geared towards promoting productive investments in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica, by enhancing their access to financing, particularly medium- and long-term loans. This Programme is also funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The anticipated...

The Government has budgeted $2.3 billion to construct and renovate police stations and other facilities to boost the fight against crime. The project, entitled ‘Construction and Improvement of Police Buildings’, is being implemented by the Ministry of National Security. As outlined in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the money will also go towards the...

A sum of $21.5 million has been allocated by the Government to advance teacher training and development under the ‘Promoting Quality Education and Advancing the Reality of a Child-Friendly Environment’ project. The details are outlined in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The funds provided will go towards conducting Health and Family Life Education training...

An additional $25 million has been earmarked in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to continue institutional capacity strengthening at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) during the next fiscal year. The project, which commenced in October 2017, aims to bolster the FSC’s operational and technical capabilities to undertake risk-based supervision across the insurance, pensions and...

The Government has set aside approximately $629 million for the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme, which seeks to promote energy efficiency in government facilities and fuel conservation in road transportation by reducing fuel imports. Details are outlined in the 2020/2021 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Anticipated targets for the 2020/2021 period include continuation of energy retrofitting...

The Government will be spending $90 million during the new fiscal year on the upgrading and expansion of the Mount St. Joseph High School in Mandeville under the Education Transformation Programme. Details about the project are outlined in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (February 11). These funds will be spent...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, says the Government is looking to introduce micro-insurance as part of overall policy safeguards against risks associated with climate and weather-related events. The Minister was speaking at the opening of the European Investment Bank (EIB) 2020 Caribbean Roadshow two-day symposium, at the AC Marriot Hotel in Kingston on...