Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Co-Chair, Richard Byles, has welcomed the Government’s stated focus on achieving more substantial growth for Jamaica. “We certainly hope that it bears the fruit that I think every Jamaican wants to see, because we certainly need it to spur us past the one percent margin...and into the two (and) three percent (range), which is where...

Jamaica’s Net International Reserve (NIR), which currently totals US$2.2 billion, is comfortably ahead of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) March target of US$1.6 billion, the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Co-Chairman, Richard Byles, has informed. Speaking at EPOC’s monthly briefing at Sagicor Life, New Kingston, on March 15, Mr. Byles said consequent on the NIR being “pretty strong,” Jamaica has...

Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, says tourism continues to be a key economic driver and represents a solid choice for investment. “When we consider the contribution that the sector has made to the economy and that the destination continues to attract investors, even from our competitive neighbours, it demonstrates that Jamaica’s tourism is a sound investment,” he said. He was...

Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Co-Chair, Richard Byles, is optimistic that the Government will be able to achieve the $120.7 billion primary surplus balance target for the January to March quarter under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This, he said, is despite a $1.6 billion shortfall in the $71 billion budgeted for the fiscal...

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) says its Schools’ Financial Education Programme (SFEP) is empowering young people to establish strong personal money management tendencies. According to Executive Director at the FSC, Janice P. Holness, the programme, which has been in operation for over five years, has reached some 1,200 students across the island, with the broad goal to “advance financial literacy...

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, says Jamaica can expect a period of greater prosperity, having surpassed the more austere aspects of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Mr. Byles, who is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Sagicor Group Ltd., speaking at the company’s Pension Investment Fund (PIF) seminar, at the Jamaica Conference Centre,...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has increased its support to small businesses and self-employed persons, under the Special Taxpayer Assistance Programme, to enable them to meet this year’s March 15 deadline for filing income tax returns Communications Officer, Leighton Beckles, told JIS News that the TAJ has been hosting sessions for these groups, free of cost, islandwide. “Small business persons and...