Gov’t allocates $857 million for technology upgrading

KINGSTON — The Government has allocated sums amounting to $857 million for technology upgrading in ministries and revenue agencies this fiscal year.

The provision is made in the 2011/12 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

Of the total, of $700 million has been earmarked for two computerisation projects under the Tax Administration department. Half of the sum will go towards the Customs Computerisation project to meet the costs of the computerisation of the Customs Department; while the other $350 million is for the equipping of other revenue departments under the Computerisation of Revenue Services project.

Resources management is also to be boosted with an allocation of $157 million, with $88 million going towards the development and implementation of a comprehensive e-tendering system and $39 million for maintaining and upgrading the Financial Management Systems (FMS) Infrastructure Support System in ministries and departments.

The remainder of $30 million will facilitate the supply, installation and implementation of a comprehensive Electronic Document Management and Imaging system.

Meanwhile, some $33 million has been set aside to finance the cost of the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (FINSAC) Commission of Enquiry.

By ALECIA SMITH, JIS Reporter