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Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon Karl Samuda, has expressed support for a one year tax break for micro enterprise start-ups, in addition to the recently announced one year rent-free incentive. He was welcoming the inauguration of the Caribbean Microfinance Alliance (CMFA), as he launched the regional body on Thursday January 27, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston....

The Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) expects its first drawdown of US$5 million on the US$20 million from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), before the end of the current fiscal year. The loan, which was secured through a Government guarantee, will increase the pool of funds available to students wishing to pursue tertiary level studies. Chairman of the SLB's Council, Worrick...

The Government is currently negotiating a US$75 million loan with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to help finance its tax administration reform programme, Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, has disclosed. He says that, when finalized, the loan will finance, among other things, a new information technology system with “impressive” forensic data mining capabilities and...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, is warning that the Ministry will be vigilant in monitoring the operations of companies listed on the Junior Stock Exchange, to ensure compliance with the purpose for which it was established. Speaking at the sixth Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) investment and capital market seminar at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New...

Cabinet has approved a 10 per cent increase for minimum wage earners and industrial security guards. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, made the announcement during Tuesday’s January 25 sitting of the House of Representatives. Effective February 28, 2011, the National Minimum Wage will move from $4, 070 per 40-hour work week to $4,500, while the minimum...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, is to meet with the Bankers Association of Jamaica (BAJ) on Wednesday (January 26), to discuss their role in Government’s efforts to grow the economy. The discussions are expected to focus on securing the commercial banks’ support for the administration’s efforts to lower interest rates. Speaking at Mayberry Investments Limited’s...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says that the Government is satisfied that merging the national airline, Air Jamaica, with regional counterpart, Caribbean Airlines, was a correct and timely move. Speaking at Mayberry Investments Limited’s monthly Investors Forum, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday (January 19), Mr. Shaw said that in light of...

Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, is confident that Jamaica will pass the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2010 December test. The tests are targets, jointly agreed on by the Government and IMF, which Jamaica need to meet to access funding from a US$1.27 million standby agreement negotiated in 2010. Speaking at Mayberry Investments Limited’s first monthly Investors Forum...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the fiscal and legislative achievements Jamaica recorded in 2010, have presented opportunities to overcome the global economic crisis. Speaking at the first Mayberry Investments Limited's monthly Investors Forum for 2011, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday (January 19), the Minister described 2010 as a "make or...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU), Ambassador Dr. Marco Mazzochi-Alemanni, will participate in the handing over of $3 billion from the EU towards the fiscal budget. The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, January 25 at Jamaica House. The EU budget supports increases in the level of discretionary expenditure available to the...

Minister of Finance and the Public, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the salary of current Bank of Jamaica Governor (BoJ), Brian Wynter, is some $8 million less than his predecessor. Mr. Shaw told the House of Representatives Tuesday (January 18) that Mr. Winter's remuneration package totals $29, 789.8 million per annum, nearly $8 million less than former Governor DerrickLatibeaudiere’s contract He...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), under its World Bank funded Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), has signed agreements to fund  six community projects in Manchester and St. Elizabeth at a cost of over $24 million. Speaking at the signing on Thursday (January 13) at the Ridgemount United Church, Manchester, REDI Project Manager with REDI, Stephanie Hutchinson-French, urged the public...