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Fitch Ratings upgrades Jamaica Government Sovereign Rating –Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings on Tuesday, February 25, upgraded Jamaica’s long term foreign currency and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to ‘B-’ from CCC. The rating agency also raised the short-term foreign currency rating from C to ‘B’ and the Country...

Prime Minister, Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, addresses the 10th anniversary awards ceremony for the Community Training for Empowerment Programme (CTEP), which was held on February 23 at the Wexford Court Hotel in Montego Bay.

PM Upbeat on Growth

Acting British High Commissioner to Jamaica and Bahamas, Julia Sutherland (second left), and World Bank Representative in Jamaica, Giorgio Valentini (right), listen to a comment from Managing Director, Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Milverton Reynolds, just before the start of day two of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) seminar on February 20, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

DBJ Committed to PPP Programme

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon Peter Phillips (left), in discussion with Director, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Solutions and Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Association for Infrastructure Development, David Wright, during Thursday’s (February 20) second and final day of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) conference, staged by the British High Commission, in partnership with United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Invest and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). It was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, under the theme: ‘Delivering Growth by Partnership – Sharing UK Capabilities in PPP’. Dr. Phillips was the keynote speaker.

Privatization Could Result in US$500M Investment

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (right), is welcomed by Acting Town Clerk, Andrine McLaren (left), and City Terasurer, Naudia Crosskilll, to the first town hall meeting for 2014, hosted by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), at St. Luke — Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (right), is welcomed by Acting Town Clerk, Andrine McLaren (left), and City Terasurer, Naudia Crosskilll, to the first town hall meeting for 2014, hosted by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), at St. Luke's Anglican Church, in Cross Roads, on February 19. Dr. Phillips was the guest speaker at the packed forum.

Finance Minister Upbeat on Progress

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12 years ago Finance & Public ServiceNational Security and PeaceVision 2030

Overall Decline in Crimes Last Year

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting an overall 11.1 per cent decline in the number of serious, violent, and acquisitive crimes committed in 2013, relative to 2012. These incidents include: aggravated assault, break-ins, larceny, murder, rape, robbery, and shootings. Programme Director for the PIOJ’s Plan Development Unit, Richard Lumsden, says 352 crimes were committed per 100,000 of the...

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Government Open To Public/Private Partnerships

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, says the Government is open to accommodating stakeholder participation in projects under public/private partnership (PPP) arrangements. Speaking at a PPP conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on Thursday, February 20, Dr. Phillips said the administration is advancing the institutional framework for implementation of these PPPs. He informed that a...

Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Collin Bullock (centre), emphasizes a point during the institute’s quarterly media briefing at the agency’s New Kingston offices on February 19. Flanking him are: Director of the PIOJ’s Economic Planning, Research and Policy Logistics Division, James Stewart (left); and Programme Director for the PIOJ’s Plan Development Unit, Richard Lumsden.

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Increase in Number of Persons Employed

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting an increase in the number of persons employed as at October 2013, relative to 2012. Speaking at the PIOJ’s quarterly media briefing at the institute’s New Kingston offices on February 19, Director General, Collin Bullock, informed that a labour force survey conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) shows that 1,100,700...

Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Collin Bullock (centre), and Director of the PIOJ’s Economic Planning, Research and Policy Logistics Division, James Stewart (left), in discussion with Programme Director for the PIOJ’s Plan Development Unit, Richard Lumsden, prior to the start of the institute’s quarterly media briefing on February 19, at the agency’s New Kingston offices.

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Third Quarter Growth of 1.4%

Led by strong performances in mining and agriculture, Jamaica recorded third quarter growth of 1.4 per cent between October and December 2013, relative to the corresponding period in 2012. Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Collin Bullock, who made the disclosure at the institute’s quarterly media briefing on February 19, at its New Kingston offices, informed that...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (seated left), is on light conversation with Inter-American Development bank (IDB) Resident Representative in Jamaica, Therese Turner-Jones (seated right), before signing copies of agreements at the Ministry in Kingston, on Tuesday (February 18) for the provision of $3.39 billion (US$31.65 million) by the IDB, People’s Republic of China; and European Union (EU), to finance the government’s Public Sector Efficiency Programme. Observing the proceedings are: Deputy Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Wayne Jones (left); China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong, Xiaojun (centre); and Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation in Jamaica, Jesús Orús Báguena.

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Government Receives Funds for Public Sector Efficiency Programme

The Government of Jamaica has secured $3.39 billion (US$31.65 million) in multi-lateral loan and grant funding support to implement Jamaica’s Public Sector Efficiency Programme. The funds are being provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); the Government of the People’s Republic of China; and the European Union (EU). The IDB is providing US$14 million; China – US$11 million, under its...

Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Peter Phillips.

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Dr. Phillips Leaves for IDB Consultation in Trinidad

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, heads a four-member delegation is leaving the island on Thursday, February 13, to attend the Third Annual Consultation Meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with Caribbean Governors in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer made the disclosure during on February 12...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (2nd left), responds to a question, during Thursday’s (February 13) media briefing at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston to provide an update on the visit of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Staff Mission. Listening (from left) are: Financial Secretary in the Ministry, Devon Rowe; IMF Mission Team Head, Jan Kees Martijn; and IMF Representative in Jamaica, Dr. Bert Van Selm (right).

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Jamaica on Target to Pass IMF Third Quarter Review

Jamaica is on target to pass the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) third quarterly economic review, under the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The approval, which is expected by the end of March, will pave the way for a fourth drawdown of funds totalling US$71 million under the programme. This was disclosed by Head of the IMF Staff Mission Team to...