The Government’s implementation of national natural-disaster risk financing with the many layers of “shock absorbers” ensured the country’s swift recovery from recent severe weather events, says Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Faval Williams. “Had this Government not had the foresight to ensure that we had this multi-layered risk-absorbing facility in place, we would not have been able...

Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, is welcoming the decline in the murder rate, so far, this year. “This year, murders are down quite significantly, 30 per cent down versus last year (2024), a trend which every well-thinking Jamaica wishes to continue,” Mr. Golding said. He was making his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the house of Representatives...

Fifty entrepreneurs from vulnerable communities in St. James, Clarendon, and Kingston and St. Andrew will benefit from business training and support under the Realise, Embrace, Achieve Your Purpose (REAP) Entrepreneurship Programme. Being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) through its Community Renewal Programme (CRP), REAP is designed to empower entrepreneurs to become agents of change within their families...

The Independent Fiscal Commission (IFC) has determined that the 2025/26 Budget currently being debated in the House of Representatives is credible, based on macroeconomic and fiscal projections. According to Commissioner, Courtney Williams, Jamaica’s current fiscal policy and position are sustainable. He was speaking during the IFC’s inaugural press conference on Monday (March 17) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New...

Registration is now open for the fourth staging of the Public Sector Debate Competition. Interested ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are being asked to complete the registration form via the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU) website at www.publicsectortransformation.gov.jm. The competition, scheduled to take place between April and July 2025, will engage teams in parliamentary-style debating on matters relating to public-sector transformation...

The Government will be applying a single tax rate of 15 per cent to dividends for resident and non-resident companies and individuals, which is expected to make Jamaica more attractive to both local and foreign investors. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure when she opened the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of...

As the country enjoys historically low unemployment rates, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, encourages Jamaicans to save a portion of their income and embrace fiscal prudence. Jamaica’s unemployment rate has stood at a record low 3.5 per cent as of October 2024. This represents a decrease from the previous record of 3.6 per cent in July 2024,...