The Government has allocated $540 million in the upcoming fiscal year for the Access to Finance for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) project. This project is geared at improving the availability of financing for MSMEs, and is being implemented in partnership with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and funding agency, the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ)....

Another $94 million has been provided by the Government to continue the construction and renovation of several tax offices across the island during the upcoming fiscal year. This sum is contained in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives on February 11. The project, which commenced in September 2018, will entail the construction of...

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...