The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB), Jamaica’s premier financier of tertiary education, has launched a new brand identity, one that signals transformation, renewal, and a commitment to meeting the needs of today’s students. Executive Director, Nickeisha Walsh, tells JIS News that the rebrand is not just cosmetic. “Our recent brand is just more than a new look. It is about reflecting...

The National Population and Sustainable Development Policy (NPSDP) will be officially launched on World Population Day, Friday, July 11. Developed by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), with financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the European Commission, the policy marks a significant moment in Jamaica’s efforts to address population and development challenges, including declining fertility, migration...

A new era in public procurement is taking shape with implementation of the Contractor and Consultant Performance Evaluation Programme (CCPEP). The CCPEP is the operational arm of the Contractor and Consultant Performance Evaluation (CPE) Policy that was approved by Cabinet in 2023 and officially launched on November 15, 2023. Designed to evaluate the delivery of government contracts by contractors and...

When Managing Director, Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, joined the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) more than 25 years ago, the stock market was a niche arena, with less than three per cent of the adult population participating. Today, under her leadership, nearly 20 per cent of Jamaicans are engaged in investing – a testament to her efforts in democratising access to...

Navigating the various tax obligations can sometimes be a complex process for both individuals and businesses alike. Those with grievances have an opportunity to have their disputes resolved through the Revenue Appeals Division (RAD), which was established as an independent appellate to hear the appeals of taxpayers against decisions of the revenue authorities. Speaking on the Ministry of Finance and...

In an ambitious move to deepen financial literacy and empower Jamaicans with investment knowledge, the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has been expanding its educational initiatives, reaching audiences from primary-school students to seasoned investors. Since launching its Caribbean Business Exchange (CBX) cable television channel in 2022 as part of its educational programmes, the JSE has seen tremendous feedback, with increasing participation...

In an era when digital transformation is no longer optional but essential, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is paving the way for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive in the digital economy.  The agency has opened applications for MSMEs to participate in a training programme as part of ‘Digital Jamaica’, a European Union (EU)-funded initiative that was...

Users of automated banking machines (ABMs) will have a pivotal role to play in the process of compliance by deposit-taking institutions (DTIs) with the ABM Service-Level Standards recently introduced by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). The Standards, which were issued on April 2, are guidelines for the operation of ABMs by BOJ-regulated DTIs. The recently promulgated Standards address matters regarding...