Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaica’s macroeconomic achievements, particularly during 2019, have enabled the country to address the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. “Our debt is decreasing, more people have jobs, inflation is tamed, our capital markets are strong, interest rates are the lowest in our history, we have increased the ability to withstand external shocks, our international...

An additional 5,000 to 10,000 youth are being targeted for engagement through job placements in the private sector, as part of the scaling up of the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme. The announcement was made by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his contribution to the 2020/2021 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on Thursday...

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...

A new weather radar valued at approximately US$3 million has been purchased by the Government for the Meteorological Station at Coopers Hill, St. Andrew. This was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his Budget presentation in Gordon House, on Thursday (March 19). He said the reason for this purchase is to improve Jamaica’s data-collection efforts and...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says investments in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) operations are projected to exceed US$3.1 billion over the next five years. New and expanded SEZ space is projected to increase by 3.1 million square feet over the same period, he noted. He said that up to financial year 2019/2020, new investments in the SEZ regime...

The Government has established the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission 2020, which will be tasked with reviewing and assessing the country’s public education system. While making the announcement during his 2020/21 Budget Presentation in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 19), Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the Commission will be chaired by John Cowles Professor of Sociology...