The government is now formulating the first 2021/22 supplementary estimates through which it will seek to address critical needs emerging in Jamaica since the approval of this year’s $830.8-billion Budget. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, says these priorities include expenditure pressures brought on by the rise in the intensity of the coronavirus (COVID-19)...

In light of the recent announcement by the Government, Bank of Jamaica will not be offering teller services to the public on the following days:  Monday, 6 September 2021  Tuesday, 7 September 2021  Monday, 13 September 2021  Tuesday, 14 September 2021 Bank of Jamaica regrets any inconvenience that these temporary changes may cause and encourages all...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising that consequent on the recent announcement of the extended COVID19 measures announced by the Honourable Prime Minster last evening, it will adjust several aspects of its operations beginning this Friday, September 3, 2021. This Friday, September 3 and Friday, September 10, 2021, all tax and business offices will close to the public at 2:00...

Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, says data from the April 2021 labour market survey indicates that more than half of the 151,100 persons who lost their jobs in July 2020, during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, have been reinstated. This figure, he said, amounts to some 84,400 persons, despite the employed labour force...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) wishes to remind businesspersons that the due date of August 31, 2021, for the filing and payment of GCT, SCT, TCT, and GART Returns for the month of July, has been extended to September 3, 2021. The decision has been taken by the Tax Authority to give consideration to those categories of taxpayers, who may have...

The Hotels and Restaurants Sector is estimated to have grown by a huge 330.7 per cent during the April to June 2021 quarter, to lead all Goods Producing and Services industries recording growth during the period. The out-turn for that subsector, which falls under the Services Industry, helped to spur a significant turnaround in the performance of the economy, which...

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) says that balance sheets of deposit-taking institutions (DTIs) continue to indicate that they are growing, properly capitalised and are in compliance with prudent liquidity standards. Governor Richard Byles, said notwithstanding the “moderating impact” of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, loan growth for DTIs has remained “fairly resilient”, despite a slowing in the pace. Mr. Byles advised...