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KINGSTON — The Jamaican economy, fuelled by strong performances in mining and quarrying, hotels and restaurants, agriculture, forestry and fishing, recorded growth of 1.5 percent during the April to June quarter, the second consecutive period of growth of more than one percent. However, while the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is pleased with the out-turn for the quarter, the institute...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service announced on Wednesday August 10 that a Parliamentary Tax Committee, established in July, will begin reviewing Government's Tax Reform proposals in September. The Ministry said that, delivering on a promise that the process will be all-inclusive and comprehensive the Government will call on all stakeholders, including business and professional organizations,...

KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw, said Wednesday August 10 that there was “nothing fundamentally different” between Dr. Peter Phillips’ observations and issues he outlined in his national broadcast on Sunday.    “I welcome Dr. Phillip's recognition of the importance of the issues facing the nation. It is now time for empty criticism...

KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw, has assured Jamaicans of Government's efforts to address issues raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about achieving medium term targets. In a national broadcast Sunday August 7, Mr. Shaw said that that the Government is using its best efforts to lock in the positive gains of...

JAMAICA’S ECONOMIC PROGRAMME – CURRENT ISSUES Address to the Nation Hon. Minister of Finance   Good evening. There have been conflicting reports about the status of Jamaica’s Standby Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Jamaica’s Medium-Term Economic Programme. The IMF Agreement is the centerpiece around which the Medium Term Programme is built, and is a pre-condition for other...

KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says that despite the challenges in accommodating increased salaries for public sector workers, ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will ensure that the agreement is honoured without increasing taxation. "We made a decision that we would pay public sector workers the arrears that we owe them,...

KINGSTON — Chairman of the FINSAC Commission of Enquiry, Worrick Bogle, says former head of Century National Bank (CNB), Don Crawford, will not be recalled to give evidence at the enquiry. Mr. Bogle told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) following Thursday's August 4 sitting at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, that the Commissioners would not recall Mr. Crawford, after...

KINGSTON — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw, has reiterated that the International Monetary's Fund's (IMF) third (December) and fourth (March) quarterly reviews of Jamaica's performance have not yet been considered by the IMF Board of Directors. Mr. Shaw has also assured that Jamaica will live up to its commitments with the IMF, as this...

The Minister of Finance The Hon. Audley Shaw is referring the public to his July 13 statement on progress being made on issues related to Jamaica’s 3rd (December) and 4th (March) quarterly IMF reviews (see www.mof.gov.jm). The 3rd (December) and 4th (March) reviews of Jamaica’s programme with the IMF have not yet been considered by the IMF Board of Directors....

A total of US$9.995 million has been earmarked for Jamaica's Adaptation Fund Programme: Enhancing the Resilience of the Agriculture Sector and Coastal Areas to Protect Livelihoods and Improve Food Security. The programme concept was spearheaded by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) with support from key stakeholders and endorsed by the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) at its 14th Meeting held...

KINGSTON — The National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica Limited (EXIM Bank) pumped some $6 billion in the economy during the 2010/2011 fiscal year, financing a wide range of projects within the  productive sectors. The bank has also set an ambitious loan utilisation target of $7 billion for the 2011/12 financial year, Managing Director  of the EXIM Bank, Lisa Bell tells...

KINGSTON — The FINSAC Commission of Enquiry had a premature adjournment Wednesday morning (July 27), after the Commissioners refused to grant former Century National Bank (CNB) head, Don Crawford, more time for examination by his attorney. Mr. Crawford, who appeared via video from Atlanta, Georgia and his attorney, Anthony Levy, insisted that when he first appeared before the Commission on...