The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, (MSET) was created in March 2016. It is comprised of the former Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy (MSET), with the exception of the Mining portfolio, which upon change of political administration was transferred, along with all its related entities, to the newly formed Ministry of Transport and Mining.

MSET has portfolio responsibility for sixteen (16) agencies and departments spanning the country’s science, energy and technology, sectors. This has a direct impact on its structure, mandate, mission and vision, and a broadening of its responsibilities. Consequently, there have been strategic changes compared with the previous year.

The attached Ministry Papers provide both an insight into the performance of the Ministry’s agencies during the period 2015-2016 and a preview of their focus for the 2016-2017 financial year period.

Mission
To develop science, energy and technology policies that Fuel Growth.

Vision
To create an environment, through policy development and a progressive legislative framework, that facilitates investment, creates jobs and meaningfully improves the well-being of each Jamaican.

Mandate:
The MSET is currently mandated to:

-Encourage private sector innovation in the science, technology and energy;
-Lead legal and regulatory reform of the electricity and gas sectors;
-Improve national energy efficiency and conservation;
-Increase the percentage of electricity generation from renewable sources, thereby reducing dependence on imported fuels and -increasing Jamaica’s energy security;
-Create a single ICT regulator;
-Streamline Government ICT operations (GovNet);
-Make access to Government services more convenient and efficient using ICTs (e-Gov);
-Draft legislation to facilitate competitiveness in ICT;
-Promote the use of free and open source software in Government; and
-Increase the access to and usage of ICT through the “Tablets in Schools” program