The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and has planned a slew of activities to mark the milestone. The yearlong celebrations commenced on Sunday (April 24), with a church service at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew. Director General at STATIN, Carol Coy, said the entity will be relaunching its website in May,...

The Government is to procure contraband detection machinery and equipment this fiscal year, as it moves to strengthen the island’s customs control and security. A sum of $2.58 billion has been allocated under the Fiscal Administration Modernisation Programme for the project, as outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House. The overall objective of the programme is...

The Government has allocated $35.5 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure to continue activities under the Public Sector Transformation Programme. The Estimates were tabled in the House of Representatives on April 14 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw. One of the main objectives of the programme entitled, ‘Public Sector Transformation - Support the Ministry...

A sum of $651 million has been allocated to the Strategic Public Sector Transformation Project in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which is being funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, the Government of Jamaica and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is aimed at strengthening public resource management...

The Jamaica Business Taxation Reform (JAMTAX) has been given $15.7 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project seeks to improve the regulatory, institutional and administrative framework for business taxation by reforming the tax appeal process and legislative framework. Allocation for this fiscal year will be used to: complete the Tax Compliance Cost...

A sum of $14.98 million is to be spent this year on the continued development of a National Identification System (NIDS) for Jamaica. The money has been made available in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project aims to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaicans and other nationals resident in the country, with...

A total of $361.58 million has been earmarked for a project aimed at promoting safer sex practices among groups at high risk for HIV transmission. The allocation, to the HIV prevalence in Most-at-Risk Population Reduced Project in the Ministry of Health, is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The initiative, which started in...