Each year, Jamaica joins other countries around the world in observing the first Monday in October as World Habitat Day. The theme for this year's observation, which highlights the state of towns and cities, is Planning our Urban Future. It highlights the need for decision makers and their partners to place more emphasis on urban planning in order to meet...

Mr. Speaker, on April 7, 2009 I tabled the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2009/10. Later that month, I addressed this Honourable House and spoke of the economic context existing at the time the Budget was presented. The global financial crisis was in high gear with full impact on the Jamaican economy. At that time, we had initial estimates of the...

The Supplementary Estimates The expenditure adjustments contained in the Supplementary Estimates and the new revenue measures announced by the Minister of Finance have become necessary because of three factors: (1) the continuing adverse impact of the global recession;(2) additional provisions required to meet public sector wage adjustments particularly for teachers and nurses;(3) increased interest payments on the public debt.Faced with...

Mr President,I join others in congratulating you on your assumption of the Presidency of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. We are confident that your extensive diplomatic experience will guide your leadership of this Session. You can be assured of the support and cooperation of Jamaica during your tenure. I extend Jamaica's appreciation to His Excellency Father...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has described as grossly inaccurate statements made by the Leader of the Opposition the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, regarding discussions with the IMF, at her party's conference at the National Arena, on Sunday (September 20). According to Mr. Shaw, Mrs. Simpson Miller, "grossly misrepresented the state of Jamaica's negotiations...

PARENTS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, JAMAICANS, GOOD EVENING. THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PERIOD IS USUALLY A VERY EXCITING TIME FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, BUT IT IS ALSO A VERY CHALLENGING TIME. I REMEMBER WELL, AS A STUDENT, THE SMELL OF NEWLY SHARPENED PENCILS, THE CRISP LEAVES OF NEW EXERCISE BOOKS, THE NICELY PRESSED UNIFORMS AND MY HEAVY KNAPSACK AS...

A private sector-led initiative aimed at relieving the Government's short term debt service costs was presented to the Government for its consideration. Discussions in the market about this initiative raised concerns about the Government's debt strategy. Cabinet, after careful consideration of the proposal and mindful of the uncertainty in the market has decided that the Government will not be pursuing...

"Surviving the current economic environment through sound strategic planning" is a profound statement of fact. It applies to the process and business of governance as much it applies to the conduct of private enterprise. For our part, with or without financial support from the International Monetary Fund and our multilateral partners, there are hard choices to be made. Choices that...

I am glad for this opportunity to address a number of critical issues that I know weigh heavily on your minds as they do on mine. There is none of us in this room who does not appreciate the severity of the problems facing the economy and the impact it is having on the life of virtually everyone. These difficulties...

It is a sad reflection on our society that so many people still ask, or wonder, about the history of Lady Bustamante, even until this day and even though she became a lady of great fame, on of the most outstanding women in Jamaica, indeed a matriarch of the nation. click to read the entire tribute

1. On August 5, 2009, Standard and Poors (S&P) downgraded Jamaica's long term sovereign credit rating to CCC+. The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) believes that this ratings action ignores several positive economic developments that have taken place in recent weeks. In recent months, there have been continued signs of an improved outlook for Jamaica's credit profile: a. Significant over-subscription of...