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Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has said that Cabinet will meet soon to consider the proposal to introduce a flat tax for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The Minister, who was closing the 2010/11 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives today (April 21), said that the move aims to address concerns regarding the...

The Government intends to renew its efforts to strengthen bilateral co-operation with the United States, with a view to addressing the flow of illegal guns from that country to Jamaica, Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, has announced. Mr. Golding, who was making his contribution to the 2010/11 Budget Debate in the House, today (April 20), pointed out that the...

The Government has entered into an agreement with Chinese firm, Zhuhai Hong Fan, for the sale of Clarendon Alumina Production (CAP) Limited. CAP Limited was created in April, 1985 to represent the Government's 45 per cent interest in a joint venture agreement with Alcoa in the bauxite mining and alumina refining operations at Jamalco in Halse Hall, Clarendon. This was...

The Government's implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Programme (II) will, this year, be enhanced through a $335.5 million allocation in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives. The project, being implemented through the Cabinet Office, is aimed at: enabling ministries, departments and agencies to develop and deliver high quality integrated service programmes, meeting customer/client needs;...

Almost $11 million has been set aside in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure to facilitate the continuation of a Household Expenditure Survey by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). The project initially ran between November 2004 and December, 2008 contributing to an enhanced process of economic and social decision making. It guarantees implementation of an updated model for compilation of...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has been allocated some $2.35 billion in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to facilitate continuation of a number of the Government's social intervention projects and activities. To this end, JSIF, since its implementation in 1996, has targetted responses to the needs of some of the society's most vulnerable...

The Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act, which gives the Financial Investigations Division in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the authority to probe crimes involving money laundering and fraud, as well as the financing of terrorist activities, was approved by the Senate on Friday (March 26). Leader of Government Business in the Senate and Minister of Justice, Senator...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has said that the creation of conditions for growth will be the first priority of the Government's Medium-Term Economic Programme for the 2010/11 Fiscal Year. Delivering the Throne Speech during Thursday's (March 25) State Opening of Parliament at Gordon House, Sir Patrick said the administration's overarching objective is a return to...

As the world continues to grapple with the dangers of global warming and abnormal weather patterns, the Government of Jamaica is committing to placing these issues at the top of its agenda this legislative year. While delivering the Throne Speech in Gordon House today (March 25) to mark the official start of the new Parliamentary year, Governor-General, His Excellency the...

The Government will be intensifying its efforts this year to fight crime and violence with the introduction of new pieces of legislation to strengthen initiatives and place pressure on criminal networks. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, highlighted this today (March 25) as he delivered the Throne Speech in Gordon House outlining the Government's thrust for the...

After consulting with the schools that may be affected by the opening ceremony of Parliament during the staging of GSAT, and with notice to the Parliamentary Opposition, the police have been advised that there should be no assembly in the immediate environs of the Parliament on Thursday, March 25, 2010. This is being done as the Ministry of Education has...

The Senate yesterday (March 19), passed the Casino Gaming Act and the amended Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act. The Casino Gaming Act seeks to establish a Casino Gaming Commission, which will regulate the conduct of casino gaming, and have powers to grant licences to operators within an approved integrated resort development. The body will also have authority to grant personal...