State Minister in the Finance and Public Service Ministry, Hon. Fayval Williams, says the Government is exploring the role of social enterprises in the development of vulnerable and crime-prone communities. Social enterprises refer to those businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances or the environment. They make their money from selling goods and services in...

The positive results being recorded under Jamaica’s economic reform programme have been hailed by United States (US)-based investment and securities firm, Jefferies LLC. Managing Director of the entity, Gregory Fisher, in noting the achievements under the programme, including the fall in the inflation rate to a 64-year low, said “we now have a country that has finally grown past the...

One hundred vacant posts are to be removed from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). These are among 138 posts that were abolished across Ministries, Agencies and Departments, as stipulated in the Civil Service Establishment (General) Order, 2016. The Order, which effects changes to the Civil Service Establishment (General) Order, 2015, was approved by the House of Representatives on...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaica’s stock market represents an area of strategic investment capable of facilitating equitable wealth distribution across the society. Addressing the opening of the 12th Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on January 24, the Prime Minister said that inequity has...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (Jan. 24) started debate on the Banking Services (Amendment) Act. The legislation, which is a Private Member’s Bill brought by Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South, Fitz Jackson, seeks to to have the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) regulate the use of fees and charges by financial institutions and ensure greater protection for customers....

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, is challenging the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) to identify options for improving customs activities, in order to optimise the Agency’s capacity for revenue collection. Noting that efficient customs procedures and processes are important elements in the Government’s drive for economic growth, Mr. Shaw said the JCA must be keen to...

Residents in sugar-dependent areas across the island are to benefit from an additional €6.5 million (J$910.2 million) in grant support from the European Union (EU). The money, which is being provided under the EU’s Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries, Jamaica (AMS 2013) Project, was officially handed over on January 19 during a ceremony at the National Heroes Circle offices...