Two pieces of legislation underscoring the Government’s commitment to sound fiscal governance and responsibility were passed by the Senate on Friday (February 20). They are the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was approved with two amendments, and the Asset Tax (Specified Bodies) (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was approved without amendment. In piloting the legislation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and...

A total of $300.9 million has been allocated in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure for the implementation of the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO) Project. The aim is to expand social protection coverage in Jamaica and strengthen the delivery system, particularly its capacity to respond to shocks. The 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure was tabled in the House...

The Government has allocated $164 million for the construction of the Hanover Justice Centre in Sandy Bay, which will provide restorative justice, child diversion, and mediation services. This is contained in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams. The project...

A $35 billion contingency provision has been earmarked in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure to support new public investment projects approved for implementation during the fiscal year. The 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure were tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams. This contingency provision includes $30 billion to...

The Government will continue advancing the Essex Valley Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme in fiscal year 2026/27 with an additional provision of $904 million. Details of the allocation are outlined in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams. The project is...

A sum of $1.08 billion has been allocated in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure for upgrading Tax Administration Jamaica’s (TAJ’s) Revenue Administration Information System (RAIS). Upgrading the RAIS will improve the user experience and provide access to modern technological features and enhanced security systems. It is also intended to improve voluntary tax compliance and satisfy the requirements of the Foreign...

The Government has allocated $950 million to continue phase two of the rehabilitation of agricultural research facilities in fiscal year 2026/27. The provision is contained in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams. The Rehabilitation of Research Centres Project was...