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Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Brian Wynter, says that, for the calendar year 2010, the value of the Jamaican dollar appreciated by 4.4 per cent against the US dollar, in contrast to the 10.2 per cent depreciation in 2009. Speaking at the BOJ’s quarterly press briefing on Tuesday (February 15) in downtown Kingston, Mr. Wynter noted that the appreciation was...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has said that the country’s macro-economic climate is ideal for investing in entrepreneurial ventures.  “I am happy that I can report that the macro-economic climate is now more and more favourable for risk taking for entrepreneurial activity, which is the only sound foundation on which we can create lasting wealth,...

The Government’s efforts to take in every tax dollar is gaining traction, with the Large Taxpayer Office collecting some $63.7 billion in the 2009/2010 fiscal period, and $60.3 billion between April and December of 2010. The office, which was established in 2009, collected $1.1 billion in arrears during the said fiscal period, and $3.95 billion from April to December 2010....

Now that the requisite laws and regulations have been passed and gazetted, any interested party can apply for a licence to establish a credit bureau, and the Bank of Jamaica has indicated its readiness to receive applications. In a statement on Tuesday, February 8, the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) advised that “under the Credit Reporting Act 2010, the statute which...

The Government has achieved most of its tax reform objectives, Director General of Tax Administration, Mrs. Viralee Latibeaudiere has asserted. Addressing a Jamaica Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum on tax administration reform, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in New Kingston, today (February 10), Mrs. Latibeaudiere pointed to some of the milestones that have been achieved. “We were able to establish...

Thousands of unclaimed bank balances amounting to millions of dollars, with sums in these accounts ranging from nearly $2 million to just over $500, are to be remitted to the revenues of the government if they remain unclaimed. The names of the accounts held at Scotiabank and Citibank were published recently in a major newspaper, and reports indicate that significant...

Newly-appointed World Bank Country Directorfor the Caribbean, Françoise Clottes, will travel to Jamaica this week to meet with Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw and other government officials. Ms. Clottes will also meet with key industry leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other civil society representatives. She will visit World Bank sponsored projects in Jamaica, including a community health...

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...