Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that I express my appreciation to the leader of the Opposition Hon. Andrew Holness and to my colleagues on this side for this privilege. It is of note that this is my 21st year in parliament – always by election, never by appointment. To my constituents who have kept the faith with me through good...

Introduction A British Army officer was assigned the arduous task of visiting a battlefield to check on reports of heavy troop losses. Upon his return, he reported to his superiors: “Gentlemen, I’m afraid the situation is so grave that it is virtually impossible for me to exaggerate…. But I will try.”   Today, in reporting to this Parliament on the...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. Roger Clarke Contribution to the 2014/2015 Budget Debate  Continuing the Growth...Going for Export Mr. Speaker, this Government was elected on the mandate of “people power”. For us, this is not merely a slogan, but a summons to a greater level of accountability. It is within this context, therefore, that I intend to present...

Central Government Budget's Expenditure Budget  The 2014/2015 expenditure budget is estimated at $540.1 billion. Revenues and grants are projected at $421.2 billion, leaving a financing gap of $118.9 billion. This will be financed by loan receipts of $110.9 billion, utilization of balances in the banking system of $1.4 billion and inflows from new measures of $6.7 billion.   Tax Revenue...

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PLANNING OPENING STATEMENT BUDGET 2014/2015                                                                                         INTRODUCTION The Budget Debate provides us with the opportunity to take stock of our performance over the previous fiscal year and to measure our progress in relation to the targets previously set and to assess the effectiveness of our management of the country’s finances.   Let me begin this...

INTRODUCTION The House is reminded that late in December 2013 the Government of Jamaica laid in this Honourable House the Fiscal Policy Paper - Interim Report and an adjusted Letter of Intent and Memorandum of Economic     and Financial Polices (MEFP). I wish to make some comments on both documents, and I will also use this opportunity to provide an update...

INTRODUCTION: Mr. Speaker, we have come to the end of our budget process which began on the 4th of April, 2013 with the presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure. Let me thank the Members of this Honourable House who have made contributions in the Standing Finance Committee and to the Debate which I opened on April 18th, 2013. Mr. Speaker,...