Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to safeguarding Jamaica’s coastal areas, which, he noted, are integral to the national economy. He said that about 50 per cent of the country’s economic assets, including commercial and industrial facilities and tourism infrastructure, which contribute to 90 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) are located on...

During the financial year 2020/21, the National Housing Trust (NHT) will expand the Guaranteed Purchase Programme (GPP), targeting efficient developers who are able to deliver housing solutions within the $5-million to $8-million range. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2020/21 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 19. Under...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) will be providing an additional $10 billion to partner with approved financial institutions (AFIs) for onlending to specific productive sectors, particularly agriculture, in light of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the funds are being provided at a 0.75 per cent reduced interest rate. Mr. Holness advised...

As part of the Government’s stimulus package to minimise the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, the National Housing Trust (NHT) has reduced interest rates on all new loans by one per cent, and on all existing loans by 0.5 per cent, effective April 1, 2020. This will benefit some 8,000 new mortgagors annually, and some 100,000 existing mortgagors. Prime...

The second cohort of awardees under the Jamaica House Fellowship Programme will be selected and placed within the public sector by May. The initiative, launched by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness in 2016, is geared at recruiting and exposing bright, young talent to public administration, in the hope that they will make public service their first career choice....

Prime Minister Holness has announced that the Corn Piece community in the parish of Clarendon is now under quarantine for 14 days. The community was quarantined following the first reported death as a result of COVID-19 – a man who is believed to have travelled to Jamaica from New York on a JetBlue flight 2959 on March 12. The announcement...

The Government will be ramping up the mounting of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at locations across the island under Jamaica Eye. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said that $1.2 billion has been set aside in the 2020/21 Budget for the supply and installation of cameras, servers and software for ongoing project activities. The money will also be used...