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A Bill to regularize measures already in place, and make the revenue measures that were introduced as at April 1 permanent, was passed in the Senate on July 31. The Bill entitled, ‘The Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2013’, was piloted by Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding. Senator Golding noted that the Bill gives statutory force to several...

The House of Representatives, on July 30, passed the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2013, to regularise measures already in place, and make permanent, the revenue measures that were introduced as at April 1. “It does not represent new or additional measures,” said Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. The changes, which were implemented by way of...

The ban on smoking in specified public places will remain in force, but with some changes, which will ensure that the Government is acting in line with the spirit of the Regulations, while protecting public health. This was announced on Tuesday, July 30, by Health Minister, Hon. Dr Fenton Ferguson, in a Statement to the House of Representatives. The section...

Minister of Finance and the Planning, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, says the Government’s revenue target for this fiscal year will not be altered. He was responding to a question submitted by Opposition Spokesman, Audley Shaw, in the House of Representatives on July 30, as to whether the ban on smoking in specified spaces would impact sales, and by extension the...

The House of Representatives, on July 30, paid tribute to former Cabinet Minister, Douglas Manley, who passed away on July 26 after a long illness. He was 91 years old. The tributes were led by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who said Mr. Manley had been “endowed with a most calm demeanor”, and was “an extremely relaxed...

Cabinet has given the nod for the introduction of a Bill, which is expected to facilitate increased access to credit, and enhance the business environment. The Security Interest in Personal Property Act (2013) is designed to implement a legal framework to modernise and improve the availability of domestic credit to the private sector, while minimising the risk of loan repayment....

A levy of US$1 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2013 conch season. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 23, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2013, to facilitate the move. The Resolution was brought by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke. The law requires that for each...

A Bill to validate and confirm as lawful, the acts done in good faith by officers of the Veterinary Services Division in the collection of levies from conch exporters in relation to the 2011 conch season, was passed in the House of Representatives on July 23. Piloting the Bill - The Conch (Export Levy) (Validation and Indemnity) Act - Minister...

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lloyd B. Smith, is encouraging young people to strive to be entrepreneurs, noting that their future employment rests in that area. Mr. Smith said that increasing numbers of young professionals in both the private and public sectors are being faced with diminishing opportunities for employment and professional advancement as employees.  He also...

The Senate has approved legislation to impose harsher penalties for the crime of human trafficking, and to expand the list of offences under the law. Under the amendments to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act, convicted persons can be imprisoned for up to 20 years, with provision for the court to impose an additional 10 years if...

A Bill seeking to address the import of aquaculture products into Jamaica, and to establish proper and adequate guidelines for all aspects of the fishing industry, was passed in the House of Representatives on July 16. The Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Products and By-Products (Inspection, Licensing and Export) (Change of Name and Amendment) Act, 2013, was approved without any amendment....

A Bill seeking to provide a modern legislative framework for the administration of trademarks in Jamaica was passed in the House of Representatives on July 16. Debate on the Trademarks (Amendment) Act began on Tuesday, July 9 and was piloted by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton. Continuing the debate before passage of the Bill, Minister of...