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Net International Reserves (NIR) stood at US$1.75 billion as at March 31 reflecting a marginal increase over the US$1.63 billion figure for the same period last year. Gross reserves amounted to US$2.4 billion, representing adequate coverage of some 17.4 weeks of imports of goods and services. This was revealed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw,...

The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) has agreed to resume discussions at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service next week, on public registered nurses claim for pay increases dating back to 2008. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, endorsed the decision at a meeting with the NAJ at his Ministry Friday (April 9). He emphasised,...

Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO) of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), Wentworth Graham, has stated that the institution is now much stronger, as a result of the redefining of its operations. Mr. Graham made the statement at a recent Community Forum at the St. Gabriel's Anglican Church Hall, May Pen, Clarendon hosted by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to help citizens...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has announced plans to begin formal consultations with various public sector groups, as the Ministry seeks to arrive at an agreement regarding the settlement of outstanding sums owed to them. The Minister made the announcement, today (April 8), as he opened the 2010/11 Budget Debate, in the House of Representatives....

The newly proposed amendments to the General Consumption Tax (GCT) Act and Regulations could see tax dodgers forking out thousands of dollars to the Government, or imprisoned for up to a year. The anticipated changes were announced in the House of Representatives Thursday (April 8) by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, during his contribution...

The Government is moving to reduce its fiscal deficit by removing a number of public entities from its budget and only partially funding others. "For too long we have allowed some public sector bodies to incur significant sums of debt, which ultimately have to be absorbed by Central Government, thereby increasing the fiscal deficit," Minister of Finance and the Public...

During financial year 2010/11, the Government proposes to borrow $176.6 billion to cover the projected fiscal deficit of 6.5 per cent, and amortization payments, a big reduction from the $301 billion that was borrowed during the last fiscal year. "Of the total, $118 billion is programmed to be raised from the domestic market. The remainder of $58.3 billion is to...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, today kept his promise of "no new taxes", but warned the nation that it is now "crunch time", while predicting that his 2010/11 budget will trigger positive growth in the Jamaican economy by next March. Mr. Shaw projected 0.5 per cent growth in the economy by the end of 2010/11,...

A project to modernise Jamaica's vital statistics and civil registration systems will receive $42 million from the 2010/2011 Budget. 'Transforming the Vital Statistics Data Collection' is designed to improve inter-agency co-ordination and communication, data collection, processing and management and resource strengthening. It seeks to strengthen capacities within the Ministries of Health, National Security (Police Statistic Unit), Justice (Coroner's Courts), the...

A sum of $120.6 million has been allocated in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure for the rehabilitation and maintenance of buildings being utilised by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. As outlined in the Estimates, tabled in the House on March 25 by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, $90.6 million has been...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw is to outline to the country how the $503.9 billion budget for 2010/11 will be financed, when he opens the Budget Debate on Thursday, April 8, at Gordon House. When the Minister tabled the Estimates of Expenditure in the House on March 25, the figures showed that $499.38 billion was...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw, has announced that Property Taxes will be increased effective Thursday, April 1. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw The flat rate which is applicable to unimproved values up to $300,000 will be increased from the current $600 to $1,000. For unimproved values exceeding $300,000,...