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Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, says the Government is not relying solely on mega projects to grow the economy, but is also investing in areas such as small and micro businesses, as these are important in achieving economic growth. Dr. Phillips told journalists at a post budget news conference at the Office of the Prime...

Four major pieces of security legislation will be brought to Parliament this year to strengthen the country’s capacity to fight crime. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, during her contribution to the 2013/14 Budget Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday, April 30. Also, as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce the incidences...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, has lauded the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) for its rapid progress in tackling the backlog of applications for firearms. The Minister noted that the FLA has been processing an average of over 500 applications per month and has significantly reduced the backlog. “At the time they (the board) came to office, the FLA...

The Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has launched a new High Security Identification Card, which will be available as of Monday, April 22. The new card, which is similar in size to a credit card, has several security features to guard against replication, and it captures and stores the picture, finger prints and signature of the holder. National Security Minister, Hon....

A total of $52 million has been allocated to the Caribbean Asset Recovery Project in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. The project seeks to strengthen the Financial Investigative Division by providing technical assistance to build its criminal asset recovery capabilities in tackling serious crimes. It also purports to develop the capability of...

Just over $2 billion has been set aside in the Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to bolster the operational capabilities of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The larger share of the sum, of $1.13 billion, will go towards activities at the JDF. This includes $430.7 million to facilitate repairs and...

Activities under the Citizen Security and Justice Programme II (CSJP) should be significantly enhanced this year through a $1.1 billion provision in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. With funding support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Department for International Development (DFID), the project aims to contribute to the reduction of...

The Government’s capacity to reduce the cultivation, production and trafficking of illicit drugs, is being bolstered through a $180 million allocation to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). This is contained in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Supported through funding from the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the project...

The Government has set aside $18 million to equip wards at the Metcalfe Street Juvenile Centre with livelihood skills and increased access to work opportunities. As contained in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives, the money is being provided under the Support to Metcalfe Project, which is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme...

The Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey has been given $6 million in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. With support funding from the United Kingdom Department of International Development (DFID), the project, which started in October 2012, is expected to end in July 2013. It seeks to contribute to the detailed and accurate analysis of...

The Government has allocated some $10 million to boost activities under the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Local Offender and Deported Persons Programme. As outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the programme seeks to: reduce the rate of re-offending among local offenders and deportees; improve the rehabilitation and reintegration of deportees and offenders in...

A sum of $49 million has been set aside for the Poverty Reduction Programme II in the Ministry of National Security. This has been outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which is being financed by the European Union, seeks to contribute to poverty alleviation through sustainable growth with emphasis on the...