Mr  President, Heads of State and Government, Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen   Mr President, I take pleasure in congratulating you on your election to lead the proceedings of this historic conference. We have every confidence in the strong leadership of Brazil in steering this conference to a successful conclusion. You can be assured of the full cooperation of Jamaica in...

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and a sense of humility that I rise in this honourable House today to make my contribution to the sectoral debate – my very first as Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce. It is made more special since the opportunity comes in the year when our nation celebrates its first 50 years of...

A:      INTRODUCTION 1. This is my 19th year as a Member of Parliament.  Have participated in every Budget Debate since my election to Parliament, either as Minister of Finance and Planning, or as Opposition Spokesman. However, first time speaking in Sectoral Debate. 2. Honoured to have been asked to open and close this Debate.  Sincerely hope that members on both...

Jamaica aligns itself with global community in marking International Domestic Workers’ Day. In doing so, we pay tribute to and value the services and contribution of the estimated 58,000 domestic workers in Jamaica. At all levels throughout the society, the benefits of your service as domestic workers can be seen as it is you who help to take care of...

MESSAGE BY THE MOST HON. PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER, PRIME MINISTER TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS’ DAY JUNE 16, 2012   Jamaica aligns itself with global community in marking International Domestic Workers’ Day. In doing so, we pay tribute to and value the services and contribution of the estimated 58,000 domestic workers in Jamaica.   At all levels throughout the society,...

Jamaica is proud to once again join the global community in observing World Day Against Child Labour as we take a concerted stand against the unacceptable abuse of the rights of our children and barrier to their proper development.  Child labour is not about children doing light chores assisting around the home, helping one’s parents or learning some valuable skill...

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, we have come to the end of our budget process which began on May 10th with the presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure. Let me thank all who contributed to the Debate which I opened on May 24th, 2012. This budget process has been predictably difficult coming as it does at this time of crisis. We have...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says he will be addressing concerns regarding the country’s trade deficit with the rest of CARICOM, during his upcoming Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives. Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association's (JEA) National Exporters’ Month on June 4th at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Minister...

SALUTATION & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour and privilege for me to address this Parliament, in a budget debate as Prime Minister once again. For this, I owe a great debt of gratitude to the people of Jamaica for their vote of confidence in me and in the team that I lead. It is with deep humility...

Good evening.   I am pleased to join you and thousands of other citizens of the British Realm on this historic occasion, as we participate in one of the many activities to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the enthronement of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, Monarch of the Realm and Queen of Jamaica. (Related Story: Beacon Lighting Ceremonies to...

Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, is urging the government to begin implementation of the tax reform measures. Mr. Holness, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 Budget Debate Thursday May 31 in the House of Representatives, said that tax reform is necessary to increase compliance and broaden the tax base. “In the context of Jamaica, tax reform must...