The House of Representatives has approved two Bills, aimed at facilitating the collection of taxes and improve the rate of compliance by Jamaicans. They are the Tax Collection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014 and the Tax Penalties (Harmonization) Act. They were passed on July 23. Closing the debate, which began on July 22, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon....

A levy of US$0.75 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2014 conch season. The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, July 23, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2014, to facilitate the move. The Resolution was brought by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, on behalf of Agriculture and...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 22, began debate on two pieces of legislation, aimed at enhancing the collection of revenues and improve compliance. The Bills, entitled the Tax Collection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014 and the Tax Penalties (Harmonization) Act, were piloted by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. The Minister pointed out that the...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, on Friday, July 18, expressed sympathies to the countries affected by the crash of a Malaysian Airline on Thursday, July 17, on behalf of the Government. “Most of the victims on that flight were from the Netherlands. They were the country most affected by this,” Senator Golding said, at a sitting of...

A total of 3,062 contracts, valued at approximately $50.5 billion, were awarded by Government during the 2013/14 fiscal year, for the provision of a range of services for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Of this number 2,537 were for the provision of general services; 339 - consultancy services; 105 - security services; and 81 - janitorial services. This was disclosed by...

The Government and the Jamaica Public Service (JPSCo) have signed off on an amendment to the JPSCo Licence. “This will allow the Cabinet to manage the procurement process (for increased capacity) through the Electricity Sector Enterprise Team (ESET). It will also grant the JPSCo the right of first refusal in relation to the replacement of any of its existing generation...

Discussions are well advanced for the expansion of the arrangement between Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) and the Government of Venezuela, under the PetroCaribe Trade Compensation Mechanism, for the supply of more clinker. “This expansion requires that CCCL will supply Venezuela with an additional 240,000 tons of clinker (cement product at the intermediate stage) over a further 18 months. The...