Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says the 2025/26 budget “is for and about the people of Jamaica.”    “The budget identifies the Government’s priorities in terms of the goals and aspirations for the development and upliftment of the Jamaican people. For us, those elements touch every facet of life, every mother and father,...

The Government has taken the decision to remove the General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT) from armoured vehicles and the added cost of armouring a vehicle. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, said this is in an effort to facilitate investment in assets that are purpose-built for the transportation of cash and other...

Jamaica will return to stable economic growth, despite the temporary setbacks caused by Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Rafael, says Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. “We will recover and return to growth in short order. We are certain that Jamaica, like any other small developing country, will experience shocks,” the Prime Minister said, while making his contribution...

The Government will, later this year, be establishing the Institute of Higher Apprenticeships in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and industry stakeholders. This was announced by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his 2025/26 Budget Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 20). “This [institute] will provide advanced vocational certification while participants...

A new park will be developed in Mandeville, Manchester, by the National Housing Trust (NHT) to commemorate its 50th anniversary. This was announced by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 20. “Recognising the profound impact of Emancipation Park (Kingston) and Harmony Park (St....

The Government will be implementing an artificial intelligence (AI) workforce-readiness strategy, following recommendations by the National Artificial Intelligence Task Force. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 20). The strategy will include integrating AI and coding into the school...

The 20 per cent duty concession, which currently applies to pickup trucks used by farmers, will now be extended to include other mid-sized commercial vehicles typically utilised in farming. Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2025/2026 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 20). He said that...