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The Government will consider a number of options, including a Staff Monitored Programme, during the upcoming negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new agreement. This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, during an interview with JIS News, Thursday Jan. 26. “Nothing is off the table, except that we...

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, has underscored the Government’s commitment to urgently address the unwieldy public sector bureaucracy, and is prepared to include performance benchmarks in future agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He was addressing the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) 7th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference on January 25, at...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is reminding all companies, organisations, self-employed persons, including professionals and entertainers, as well as employed persons with additional sources of income that March 15 is the due date to file their Final Income Tax Return for 2011 and a Declaration of Estimated Income and Tax Payable for 2012.  For added convenience to file and pay, persons...

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, has said the Government wants to enter into a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the shortest possible time. “These negotiations are going to be tough. But based on the discussions, I can say we know what we have to do to get discussions about...

The equities (stock) market will be supported as a critical element in the Government's drive to stimulate investments and promote the private sector as the engine of economic growth and development. This was stated by Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr Peter Phillips, as he addressed the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) 7th Regional Investments and Capital...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Horace Dalley, says the Government is committed to creating equality among clients of the Customs department. “The same treatment that is given to (large companies)…must be given to that little woman who is pulling those four boxes through to feed 40 mouths. The playing field must...

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, has called on the private sector to be more pro-active in acquiring domestic assets,  particularly  public entities earmarked for divestment. Addressing the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Chairman’s Club Forum, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, Tuesday Jan. 24, the Minister advised private sector leaders and...

The just concluded five-day preliminary talks between the Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have resulted in greater understanding of the priorities of the administration, and provided an updated assessment of the country’s current economic position, setting the stage for early negotiations of a new Fund programme. This was stated by Finance, Planning and the Public Service Minister, Hon....

The key sectors to be targeted for the generation of significant growth of the Jamaican economy are: energy; tourism; information and communications technology (ICT); micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME); divestment of public assets through the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE); the revitalization of foreign direct investment inflows, improved business facilitation and the revamping the incentives regime. This was stated by...

Sanctions should be imposed for deliberate breaches of fiscal responsibility resulting from ministerial action. Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, made the call during his first major presentation since being appointed to the ministry in the new administration.  Addressing investors at the Mayberry Investment Forum in Kingston on Wednesday (January 18), the Minister...

With just over two months to the beginning of the 2012/13 financial year, a Supplementary Budget will be presented to reflect a downward revision in public expenditure. This was announced by Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, when he addressed the Mayberry Investment Forum, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, on January 18....

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service while calming fears that  the new administration might implement policies which will generate high interest rates, advises that banks need to assist in taking active steps to contain their costs, increase their efficiencies and so contain the growth in their spreads. According to the Finance Minister, the first aspect of the way...