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Budgetary implications, political consideration and CARICOM's Common External Tariff (CET) are impeding Jamaica's chances of achieving effective tax reform that will make the tax system simpler, fairer, and enhance economic growth. Deputy Financial Secretary in the Taxation Division of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Paul Lai, expressed this view at a JIS Think Tank yesterday (July 15),...

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, with Responsibility for Local Government Reform, Robert Montague, has said that the Government is in the process of more clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of Parish Councils. This will make them more effective in managing the local affairs of citizens, he said. "The draft constitution amendments have been completed...

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has given approval for an additional seven Crown Counsels to boost the capacity of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, as it presents criminal cases before the court in a timely and efficient manner.The disclosure was made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paula Llewellyn, during a Think Tank session...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw has said that the Government has to now maximize the benefits of the PetroCaribe Development Fund, by utilizing the money to enhance the country's economic development. "We have started off substantially using those (funds) in sort of 'bail-out' circumstances where we have used it to bail out Air Jamaica, we have...

Councillors of the St. James Parish Council have been urged by Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Local Government Reform, Robert Montague, to play a greater role in motivating more citizens to pay their property taxes. Observing that for the first three months of this financial year the parish collected some $96.6 million,...

The Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, (MICYS) has lauded the collaboration between the National Gallery of Jamaica the United States Ambassador's Fund as further demonstration of the strong cultural and artistic bond that exists between Jamaica and the US. Minister Grange spoke today at ceremony at which a cheque for just under two million...

Deputy Financial Secretary in the Taxation Division of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Paul Lai, has said that Jamaica's tax system urgently needs to raise more revenue to close the fiscal gap. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank session yesterday (July 15), Mr. Lai said that despite the high levels of foreign direct investment inflows into the...

The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) recently awarded several students and schools at the basic, primary and secondary levels for being consistent savers in its School Savers Programme. At a function held at the Golf View Hotel where the participants received their awards, coordinator of the programme, Diana Cunningham said that the initiative was designed to develop a culture of...

Officials of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) have updated farmers in Manchester and St. Elizabeth on strategies that they need to employ when selling produce. Representatives of the agency, led by Executive Director, Al Powell, was on a 'meet the farmers' tour of the two parishes last week where they addressed various issues affecting farmers. At a meeting held...

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Local Government Reform, Robert Montague, has said that all Councillors should be duly recognized and included on the order of precedence at official functions. "When you check on the order of precedence, Councillors are not included on the order, so that at official functions Councillors are not...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said the government will ensure that the Independent Investigative Authority that is being created to investigate abuse of citizens' rights by members of the security forces will be properly resourced and held accountable. Mr. Golding said the intention behind the establishment of the Authority was to ensure that the investigation of alleged abuses will be done...

The Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company of Jamaica (BATCo) continued its mission during the 2007/08 fiscal period to efficiently market the Government's alumina entitlements, optimize the returns on sector investment, and promote sector expansion and development. As outlined in a Ministry Paper, which was tabled recently in the House of Representatives, BATCO carried out a number of activities to this...