More

A team from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, will be going to Washington next week to hold discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board, to finalize the details for the implementation of a monitoring mechanism to replace the discontinued Staff Monitored Programme (SMP). Dr. Davies told members of the private sector at a meeting in Kingston recently, that...

The $10 million project has been implemented through financing from the CHASE fund to equip 68 libraries with the necessary technology to provide Internet service. The project was officially launched at the Green Island Branch library in Hanover on March 4. Chairman of the Jamaica Library Board, Dr. Simon Clarke emphasises a point, while speaking yesterday (Mar. 3) at the...

The National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica Limited (Ex-Im) has launched a loan programme to offer financial aid to entrepreneurs in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The programme, which is two-pronged, will see the Bank partnering with the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) of the University of Technology (UTech) to implement the ICT -Yes initiative, which involves offering short term revolving...

The House of Representatives yesterday (March 2) approved a Bill to amend the Loan Act of 1964 to increase the government's borrowing ceiling from $400 billion to $650 billion. Piloting the Bill, State Minister for Finance and Planning, Fitz Jackson, explained that this adjustment would allow the government to finance its operations throughout the financial year. The Act provides for...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies yesterday (March 2) tabled the first supplementary estimates in the House of Representatives for the 2003/2004 fiscal year. The estimates, totalling $17.46 billion has recurrent expenses of $14.43 billion and capital expenditure amounting to $3.02 billion. Under recurrent expenses in the revised estimates, the Office of the Services Commission is to receive a...

The Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank will launch a new loan programme on Friday, March 5, specifically targetting the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. Managing Director of the Ex-Im Bank, Pamella McLean, told JIS News that the bank would be making available to the sector, a total fund pool of $80 million, of which $20 million would be directed as working...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has accepted an invitation from the Government of Jamaica to help in the design of an economic programme to reduce the public debt burden. This arrangement was arrived at, after a series of discussions between Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies and officials in Washington, including a letter to IMF Head, Horst Koehler.Prime Minister...

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund Limited recently handed over $6.8 million to Liberty Hall for administrative support for two years. Liberty Hall is yet another historical and cultural landmark that has received funding from CHASE, which last year provided financial support for the restoration of Devon House. To date, the Fund has approved $126.5 million in...

Seventy-two customs officials, four of whom have given more than 40 years of dedicated and honest service to the Customs Department were recognised on Thursday (Jan. 29) at a ceremony at King's House. Chief among the awardees was BT Davis, who joined the department 57 years ago, in March 1944. According to his citation, Mr. Davis never missed a day...

As of Tuesday, October 21, compliant taxpayers will have the option to forego visiting three collection centres and apply for their tax compliant certificate (TCC) via e-mail. Prior to this arrangement, persons wishing to obtain their TCC would be required to visit four different offices to complete the application process. These were the National Housing Trust (NHT), the National Insurance...

The Jamaica Customs Department has officially launched its electronic (e)-payment system to facilitate the convenience of online payment by importers. The e-payment system was first introduced by the Customs Department on January 7, 2003 as a pilot project. It involved 15 importers and their Customs Brokers, who were allowed exclusively to carry out their transactions online. With the launch of...

Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson, has challenged employees in the public sector to improve the quality and efficiency of their service in order to set the pace for Jamaica to become more competitive globally. "The country's competitiveness can only be achieved with the help of public sector professionals.and understanding and appreciating that countries, which are not efficient and competitive,...