Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government is cognisant that much work remains to be done to further reduce bureaucratic impediments to doing business in Jamaica. He noted that Jamaica’s improved ranking at 75 out of 138 countries in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2016/17 Global Competitiveness Report, up from 107 in 2012, “reflects our...

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, has pledged the Ministry’s support to the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) in its plans to expand the junior stock market. He said the JSE has indicated that it is targeting the listing of an additional 22 companies with a combined asset value of $22 billion over the next 12 months and...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting that 1,185,700 persons were employed as at January 2017, an increase of 21,900, relative to January 2016. The figure, contained in the Labour Market Survey for the month, represented a further decrease in the unemployment rate, which stood at 12.7 per cent. This was 0.6 per cent lower than for January 2016...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting that the country recorded four consecutive fiscal years of economic growth, following an estimated 1.1 per cent out-turn for 2016/17. Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, says last year’s figure was underpinned by growth of 2.8 and 0.6 per cent, respectively, recorded in the goods producing and services industries. This, he noted, despite...

The Accountant General’s Department (AGD) will finalise its relocation from Public Building West to the Oceana Building at 2-4 Church Street in downtown Kingston by May 31. To accommodate the move, the AGD will be closed to the public today, May 29. Limited services will be offered from the new location on Tuesday, May 30. Full service will resume on...

Governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), Brian Wynter, says the tourism sector is poised for increased earnings this year, coming off a successful 2016/17 winter season. He noted that the winter period, from December 15 to April 30, was the best ever for the sector, with earnings of more than US$1 billion. “In a context where tourism usually earns...

The Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) is reporting positive response to its ‘Pon di Corner’ community sensitisation meetings. The sessions, which got under way more than two weeks ago, seek to raise awareness about Jamaica’s economic programme, which is underpinned by the three-year International Monetary Fund (IMF) Stand-By Agreement (SBA). The precautionary SBA is an insurance against unforeseen economic shocks...