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Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (left), is in conversation with International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief to Jamaica, Jan Kees Martijn, shortly before the start of a post-IMF review press conference today, at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston.

Jamaica set for further draw-down from IMF

Jamaica seems set to receive approval for draw down of SDR 45.95 million (US$71 million) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This follows a successful fifth Staff Review of the country’s performance under the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown (4th right), and Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasicannie (2nd left), share a moment with members of the Jamaican community residing in Baltimore, who attended the launch of the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project held last Friday (Aug.15), at the Island Cuisine Restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland

Diaspora Remits Us $16 Billion Over 10 Years

State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, giving an update on the Diaspora Mapping Project, at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, held today August 20, at the agency’s head office in Kingston.

Positive Response to Diaspora Mapping Project

Executive Director of the Growth Secretariat at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Joseph Cox, displays a Financial Information & Real-time Matchmaking (FIRM) brochure at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, at the agency’s headquarters in Kingston, on August 19.

Entrepreneurs Assured of Confidentiality at Matchmaking Expo

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, addressing journalists at the monthly briefing at the Sagicor head office, in New Kingston, on August 14.

Private Sector Concerns Regarding Proposed GCT Changes Addressed

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11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Entrepreneurs Receive Assistance From DBJ To Access Financing

In keeping with the Government’s growth strategy, the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), is vigorously addressing the issue of access to financing for small entrepreneurs. General Manager for the Strategic Services Division at the bank, Claudine Tracey, told a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’ that the DBJ has taken a systematic approach to addressing the issue. She said the DBJ has...

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Devaluation Of Dollar Offers Several Prospects

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, says the country stands to benefit from several opportunities, resulting from devaluation of the Jamaican dollar. Speaking at the recent monthly meeting of the Rotary Club of New Kingston at Chasers Café, St. Andrew, Dr. Phillips said there is potential for a “whole range of investment activity”, which was not previously...

Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Director General, Colin Bullock (right), shares a light moment with, from left: Executive Director, PIOJ Growth Secretariat, Joseph Cox; Chief Executive Officer, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Dennis Chung; and Co-Chair, Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, during the recent launch of the Financial Information and Real-time Matchmaking (FIRM) expo at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

PIOJ and DBJ Establish ‘FIRM’ Partnership

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), through its Growth Secretariat, has partnered with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) to undertake an initiative aimed at resolving challenges businesses experience in accessing financing. Dubbed ‘Financial Information and Real-time Matchmaking’ (FIRM), the initiative will target the creation of an educational, financing, and networking platform, designed to provide market access to entities at...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (centre), and President, Rotary Club of New Kingston, Lloyd Butler (left), listen to a point from the Club’s Vice President, Rose-Marie Gibbs, during the organization’s weekly meeting at Chasers Café, Belmont Road, St. Andrew, on Friday, August 15, where Dr. Phillips was the guest speaker.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Government Must Operate at World Class Level – Dr. Phillips

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, has underscored the need for “certain adjustments” in how government functions in order to enhance the country’s competitiveness. These adjustments, he said, are also imperative in ensuring that Jamaica secures maximum benefits from implementation of the more “complex” aspects of the Economic Reform Programme (ERP). “We need to ensure that institutions...

Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Colin Bullock (second left) conversing with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer (second right) during the official launch of the Financial Information and Real-time Matchmaking (FIRM) expo on August 14 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. Others (from left) are: Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Strategies Limited, Aubyn Hill; and General Manager of Strategic Services, Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Claudine Tracey.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

DBJ Approved $2.3 Billion in Loans for MSME Sector

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) approved over 9,700 loan applications, valued at $2.3 billion for the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) sector during the last fiscal year. This was disclosed by General Manager of Strategic Services at DBJ, Claudine Tracey, during the launch of the Financial Information and Real-time Matchmaking (FIRM) expo on August 14 at the Jamaica...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (at podium), addressing the Rotary Club of New Kingston’s weekly meeting, at Chasers Café, Belmont Road, St. Andrew, on Friday (August 15). Seated is Club President, Lloyd Butler.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Finance Minister Says ERP Continues to Yield Positive Outcomes

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, says implementation of the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) continues to yield positive and significant outcomes for Jamaica. Speaking at the Rotary Club of New Kingston’s weekly meeting, held at Chasers Café, Belmont Road, in St. Andrew, on August 15, Dr. Phillips said these successes include declining unemployment; increased infrastructural development; prospects...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips (2nd left) listens keenly to a point being made by, Commissioner of Customs, and Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica Customs Agency, Major Richard Reese (left), during the launch of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) on Wednesday, August 13, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (right); and Chairman of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Dr. Winston Davidson, also participated in the discussion.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Technology-Driven System to Speed Up Customs Operations

Jamaica Customs Agency has launched a major, technology-driven system, aimed at streamlining and reducing the processes involved in cross-border import, export, and transshipment of goods. The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), which is being implemented at a cost of US$4 million, is expected to speed up operations at the ports by fully automating export and import transactions. It allows...