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I consider it a special honour to have been asked by the Prime Minister to lead off the sectoral debate for the 2013/2014 fiscal year. Let me acknowledge the contributions of the six speakers who spoke in the main debate which ended last week Wednesday. I must however make special mention of the two presentations by my colleague the Minister...

Four major pieces of security legislation will be brought to Parliament this year to strengthen the country’s capacity to fight crime. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, during her contribution to the 2013/14 Budget Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday, April 30. Also, as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce the incidences...

The Government has decided not to continue with the process of di­vesting its shares in Clarendon Alumina Partners (CAP). Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/2014 Budget debate on April 24 in the House of Representatives. The government owns 45 per cent interest in Jamalco, which is vested...

Amendments are to be made to the legislation pertaining to the Students Loan Bureau (SLB), to facilitate deductions at source, to ensure that loans are repaid by borrowers. However, in the interim, employers in the public sector will be authorized to deduct payments from employees who have outstanding loans with the SLB and remit these to the Bureau. This was...

The Government will this year advance its programme to modernise public financial management, by overhauling expenditure control systems and reforming and strengthening tax administration. Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, gave this undertaking on Thursday, April 18, as he opened the 2013/14 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, under the theme: ‘Restoring Hope - Expanding Opportunity’....

Mr. Speaker, I believe that my presence in this Honourable House is an expression of the confidence of my constituents in East Central St Andrew to represent their best interest. For five successive elections they have returned me as their Member of Parliament. In the lonely moments that come with this job, they have always been there for me and...

Cabinet has approved changes to the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), and the Proceeds of Crime Money Laundering Prevention Regulations, to meet international requirements. The changes were recommended by the Financial Action Task Force to address matters dealing with: suspicious and unusual transactions; rules governing reporting, documenting, supervision and regulation of designated non-financial businesses and professions; and non-face to face...

During the past year, 17 ambulances were purchased at a cost of US$884,323 for distribution across all health regions, Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has informed. Making the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 25, Dr. Ferguson said delivery of these units is expected to begin by the end...

A sum of $5.2 million has been allocated to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) to undertake capacity building activities. This is contained in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The Strategic Statistical Development Project seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of STATIN and national statistical system, by providing financial and technical input to adopt...

A sum of $5 million has been allocated to the Strategic Flexible Funding Facility in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The aim of the project is to respond to the strategic short-term development needs of the Government of Jamaica, by facilitating well defined short-term interventions needing high quality research and analysis, which will have...

The Government has allocated some $30 million for the continuation of works under the National Spatial Plan (NSP) project in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The plan will provide the strategic framework to guide urban development and investment decision making. It will also ensure optimal use of the nation’s land resources, and outline the...

The Jamaica Competitiveness Enhancement Programme has received $10 million in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. The programme is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It aims to facilitate economic growth by improving the competitiveness...