Jamaica generated export earnings of US$511.1 million for the first four months of 2022, between January and April. This is 1.3 per cent higher than the US$504.4 million earned over the corresponding period in 2021, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). A release from STATIN on Monday (August 15) indicated that the increase was primarily due to 52.9...

This year’s Marcus Garvey Public Sector Graduate Scholarship awards ceremony is slated for Wednesday, August 17, at King’s House. The scholarships were established by the Government in 2020 to offer Jamaican nationals and citizens employed in the public sector, the opportunity to obtain postgraduate degrees from competitive, appropriately accredited universities in Jamaica, North America and Europe. Director of Workforce Planning...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), on Thursday (August 11), unveiled two loan facilities valued at $700 million, to benefit entertainment and transport industry stakeholders whose livelihoods have been impacted by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. A sum of $500 million is earmarked for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) under the Entertainment Restart Loan Facility, while $200...

Grants totalling approximately $90 million have been dispatched for payment to 3,600 public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators under the Government’s COVID Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) Programme. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, said the allocations have been sent to LASCO Financial Services Limited, through which the payments will be disbursed. He advised...

Citizens and other eligible persons resident in Jamaica are being encouraged to participate in the 2022 Population and Housing Census, which was launched on Wednesday (August 10) by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. The three-month exercise, which is the country’s 15th, is being spearheaded by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) under the theme ‘Yuh Count, Mi Count...

The National Minimum Wage Advisory Commission is looking to complete its regional consultations and submit its report to Government for review by the first quarter of 2023. The consultations, which are currently under way are aimed at garnering suggestions and feedback as the Commission seeks to review the national minimum wage as well as the minimum wage for industrial security...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is reminding the public that it will open select Tax Offices this Saturday July 30, 2022, and every last Saturday of the month for the remainder of the 2022/23 financial year. The following Tax Offices will operate this Saturday between the hours of 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: • St. Andrew (Constant Spring) • Montego Bay...