Opposition Spokesman on Finance and Planning, Julian Robinson, has endorsed the proposed creation of the $1-billion Jamaica Screen Fund, to finance local film and television show development and production. “I acknowledge the $1 billion fund that has been provided to the film industry. It’s a good start, and the film industry, I know, recognises and appreciates it,” Mr. Robinson said....

Education received the largest share of the 2023/24 Budget for recurrent programmes outside of debt payments and compensation of employees. A sum of $142.9 billion is earmarked for the sector in the upcoming fiscal year, representing approximately 22 per cent of the $657.2 billion for non-debt recurrent expenditure. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke,...

In the upcoming fiscal year, the Government will introduce two new incentive programmes to encourage greater take-up of the Central Bank Digital Currency, JAM-DEX. They are the Small/Micro Merchant Incentive Programme and the Wallet-holder Individual Loyalty Programme. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, provided details while opening the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House...

The Government will be providing full tuition scholarships with the aim of preparing 1,250 new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers over the next five years. The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) and The Mico University College will partner in the undertaking. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon Nigel Clarke, made the disclosure as he opened...

The Government is providing a $200 million down payment to endow a Fiscal Research Institute within the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, made the announcement while opening the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday (March 7). “This will...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, is again urging public sector groups not yet signing the new compensation scheme, to come forward to settle wage agreements. Dr. Clarke explained that, inclusive of amounts allocated in the first to fourth supplementary estimates, approximately $79.4 billion is provided for in 2022/23 to pay the incremental amounts...

The Government is providing tax relief totalling approximately $153.33 million during fiscal year 2023/24. This will result from the provision of Income Tax Credit, totalling $100 million, on the installation of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and the removal of General Consumption Tax (GCT) on the importation of live horses, small ruminants and pigs, amounting to $53.33 million. Minister of...