The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) will observe CARICOM Statistics Day on Wednesday, October 15, with a symposium under the theme: ‘Youth, Age 15-24 – A Situational Analysis’. To be held at the Mona Visitors Lodge at the University of the West Indies, the symposium will provide a profile of youth within the 15-24 age group with special focus on...

Persons are being encouraged to “invest in their future,” through the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), by Chairman, Allan Lewis. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on October 8, Mr. Lewis said there is no limit to the amount one can save or who can save, but everybody should save something. “If you’re not putting away something today, you’re going to...

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, has again given the Government positive reviews in its efforts to stabilise the economy and attain growth under the Economic Reform Programme (ERP). Mr. Byles, who was addressing EPOC’s monthly press briefing at the Sagicor Life Jamaica head office, in Kingston, on October 7, presented figures for August and September,...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting that the Jamaican economy grew by 1.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2014, when compared to the similar quarter of 2013. This growth also represented a 1.4 per cent improvement over the first quarter of 2014. STATIN says the growth resulted from a 6.3 per cent improvement in output for...

Finance and Planning Minister, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, says that passing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tests creates stability in the Jamaican economy. Passing the tests means that Jamaica is meeting its targets in instituting key economic reforms, enabling the country to drawdown on funds to promote growth and employment. Dr. Phillips, who was speaking in an interview with JIS...

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in key sectors, are being encouraged to access low interest loans, provided by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), to finance their operations. These loans are available for agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy, and manufacturing. The loan funding can be accessed through approved financial institutions (AFIs) such as commercial banks, credit unions, and the National People's...

Member of the National Partnership Council, Professor Alvin Wint, says Jamaica must consolidate the successes made so far on the economic front and in other areas. “I think it is important that we seize this moment. We have had a long period where we have not performed as well as we ought to… although there have been important successes in...