The Government now has the authority to spend funds allocated in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, following the passage of the Appropriation Act 2019 in the Upper House on March 22. This annual Bill provides authority for expenditure (other than statutory expenditure) for the financial year 2019/20 and specifies the manner in which the money is to be allocated to...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has continued to pursue a robust strategy of increasing the scope of engagement with Jamaica’s bilateral partners in support of the Government’s strategic focus on providing citizen security, growing the economy, creating jobs, and advancing the overall development objectives. Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith said many advancements in Jamaica’s...

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says that since Jamaica became a member of the Commonwealth in 1962, the nation has benefited from fruitful cooperation in a number of areas. He cited support in accessing climate change financing, youth leadership and empowerment, trade competitiveness, education, among others. “Jamaica is grateful for the...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will host its annual Diplomatic Week from Tuesday, March 12 to Friday, March 15. The week will be celebrated under the theme ‘Building Stronger Partnerships for Sustainable Development’. Activities will commence on March 12, when eight newly appointed Heads of Mission will present copies of their credentials to the Minister of Foreign...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has hailed the Commonwealth as a testament to the principle of connectivity among nation states. “We are connected through the shared interests of making our nations prosperous,” he said. “We are bound by our collective commitment to the core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” he added, in a...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica can model Estonia’s steps toward becoming fully digitalized. The Prime Minister said there are many positive lessons that Jamaica can learn from Estonia’s experience in creating a digital society. “Estonia is a good example for the world to see. You have embraced technology and you are better off for it. Madame President, I must...

The Government has allotted another $168 million in 2019/2020 to continue carrying out activities related to the relocation of the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to downtown Kingston. This is outlined in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The money will be used to complete the supply and installation of...