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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...

A sum of $8.5 million has been allotted to the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems Modernisation Programme, in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure. The project aims to enable Jamaica to modernize its vital statistics and civil registration system. Project activities are designed to improve inter-agency co-ordination and communication, data collection, processing and management, and resource strengthening. In addition, the...

A number of initiatives will be undertaken this fiscal year to enhance energy efficiency and conservation within the public sector, through a $310 million allocation in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The allocation will provide for the engagement of energy auditors; replacement of inefficient air-conditioning and lighting systems; to retrofit and insulate building envelopes;...

Some $270 million has been allocated in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure to continue work on the Government’s Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement project. Being implemented by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), the project is expected to start phase one feasibility studies of five small hydro sites this fiscal year. Consultants will also be engaged to:...

The Government is to continue initiatives under its Fiscal Administration Modernisation Programme, through a $700 million allocation in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure. The project, implemented in December 2011, aims to support the Government of Jamaica in achieving a sustainable fiscal position by strengthening the Ministry of Finance and Planning’s institutional capacity to effectively improve customs, inland tax collections, and...