The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has committed $40 billion to improving the quality of more than 2,000 roads across the island. The road transportation network will be improved through the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) programme. SPARK will focus on main roads, secondary roads and community roads to be repaired within a two-year span. Constituency...

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has removed the guarantor requirement for accessing tertiary education funding from the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB). As a result of this adjustment, more students will be able to access tertiary education.  Additional Tuition Support  The GOJ has also made $200 million available for tuition support to at least 1,000 students who are in good academic...

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is investing over J$1 trillion in the country's infrastructure, marking its largest expansion effort to date. This investment will be made over the next five years and will include the purchase of buses and garbage trucks, which is expected to significantly enhance public services. Buses For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, J$2.6 billion has been allocated...

In April 2024, the threshold for personal income tax will be increased to J$1,700,088 from J$1,500,096 and a tax credit will be given to Jamaicans earning less than $3 million per annum. The threshold refers to the part of an individual’s income which bears no tax; 25 per cent is deducted from the portion of the salary that remains. Who...

The Governor-General’s Achievement Awards (GGAA) was established in 1991 and recognises outstanding Jamaicans who have made noteworthy contributions to the country. Nominations may be submitted on the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence’s website. Standard Criteria The nominee for the GGAA must: Be a Jamaican citizen. Have an outstanding record of community service. Demonstrate excellent academic performance (candidates within the 18-35 years...

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) supplied the first block of 10,000 numbers under the 658 numbering plan area code in May 2023. Introduced in 2018, the 658 area code will add millions of numbers to the available pool and prevent the resources from being depleted. The Internet of Things The growing reliance on communication technology devices such as landlines,...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security partners with employers in Canada and the United States of America (USA) to deliver a multifaceted programme which provides employment to skilled Jamaican labourers. The programme offers employment in three schemes – Low Skill workers in Canada, Hospitality in the USA and Seasonal Agriculture (commonly called Farm Work) in the USA and Canada....