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...

Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter, says that while challenges remain, the business climate in Jamaica is conducive to attracting increased private sector investment. “We need all our entrepreneurs to see it, understand it, and believe it. We need for them to believe it will last and to also have the faith to start investing or to invest...

The Jamaica Customs Agency has been lauded for its customs processes by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, who today, paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, at the offices of the Ministry. The country will further be used by the WCO as a model for...

Film-makers from 28 countries will join local talent in showcasing their work in various genres at the 2017 staging of the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) GATFFEST film festival. To be held from June 15 to 24 under the theme: ‘From the Streets to the Screen', the event will feature workshops and screenings of films in the areas of...

The Government is reporting that the Net International Reserves (NIR) are at the highest they have ever been at US$2.849 billion, since 2002. State Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure during her contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 9. She also mentioned the Precautionary Stand-By Arrangement...

The Government is reporting that the primary surplus out-turn for the 2016/17 fiscal year surpassed the target by $12.8 billion. State Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, says the figure stood at $135.9 billion, which was 0.7 per cent above the minimum seven per cent target for the period. She was making her contribution to the...

State Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, says as at the end of March 2017, the country’s Debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio was at 115 per cent. “Looking forward, the projection is for the Debt/GDP ratio to be at 108.6 per cent at the end of this fiscal year 2017/18 and at 89.5 per...