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Small, Micro and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are set to benefit from additional capital support from the Government of Jamaica. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (June 29), approved a Government guarantee for a loan totalling $150 million from the Development Bank of Jamaica to the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) for on lending to the SME sector. Minister of Finance...

The House of Representatives has finally approved an amendment to the Jury Act to allow for majority verdicts, of no less than nine to three among a 12-man jury, in non-capital murder cases. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, who opened debate on the Bill on Tuesday (June 15) and closed the debate Tuesday (June 29) prior to its approval...

The House of Representatives has approved a Government guarantee of a loan of US$340 million, from the China Export Import Bank to the Road Maintenance Fund (RMF), for the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP). Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, who piloted the resolution on Tuesday (June 29), noted...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 22) named the eight Members of Parliament, who will sit on a Joint Select Committee to review the Protected Disclosure Bill. The members are: Daryl Vaz, Michael Stern, Gregory Mair, Clive Mullings, Phillip Paulwell, Peter Bunting and Dr. Morias Guy. They will sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the Senate, to...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 22) approved the withdrawal of $1.4 billion from the Capital Development Fund (CDF) into the Consolidated Fund. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding, who moved the resolution, stated at the end of May, the CDF had a total of $1.6 billion. "So, we are drawing down a substantial...

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Delroy Chuck, has led a small delegation from the Jamaican Parliament on an official four-day visit to Cuba, which began Wednesday (June 23). The delegation was invited by the Cuban Parliament, in order to strengthen ties between both countries. While in Cuba, the delegation will meet with the President of the Cuban...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 22) passed the six anti-crime Bills, which will aid the Government in its efforts to reduce crime and violence in the country. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding The Bills are: an Act to amend the Bail Act; an Act to further amend the Firearms Act; an Act to amend the Offences Against...

The Protected Disclosure Bill, which seeks to encourage and facilitate specified disclosures of improper conduct in the public interest, has been sent to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for consideration. The move was at the request of Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Senator A.J. Nicholson, who, in a letter on Thursday (June 17), appealed to the Government...

The Senate gave approval on Friday (June 18) to two Bills postponing Local Government Elections to 2011. The elections, which were to be held by June 30 this year, are now scheduled to be held no later than March 30, 2011. Bills amending the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Act and the Parish Councils Act to allow for the...

Newly-appointed Government Senator, Ian Murray, was sworn in today (June 18), during a sitting of the Upper House. Jamaica House, on June 17, had announced that Mr. Murray was selected by Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the former Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,...

Cabinet has approved the provision of an additional US$10 million to boost the Jamaica Tourist Board's (JTB) budget to execute an integrated marketing and sales plan over the next nine months. "The strategy devised by the JTB. will involve an integrated approach of sales, marketing, promotions, events, social media, and an effective public relations programme to add value to the...

The House of Representatives passed two Bills Tuesday (June 15) postponing Local Government elections for at least six months. The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation General Election (Postponement) Act 2010 and the Parish Councils General Election (Postponement) Act, both piloted by Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Hon. Robert Montague,...