More Speeches

The Ministry of Health is aware of strong public sentiment following recent reports of high bacterial load on samples of at least four (4) brands of household toilet tissue. We take even more interest in this matter as indications are that the Bureau of Standards’ (BSJ) testing of several brands was prompted by reports of gynaecological incidents. The test results...

Honourable Members: The annual Ceremonial Opening of Parliament provides us as a nation with the opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed so that we can reset our governance compass and recalibrate our efforts in order to address the challenges and grasp the opportunities that are presented. Optimism About Our Country’s Future The Legislative Year we have just...

Ladies and Gentlemen,  the Honourable Prime Minister disignated as her reprsentative at the launch this evening.   The Prime Minister  and by extension the Government of Jamaica believe the status of women and Gender is a critical component of our drive to achieve the Vision 2030 Goal to “Make Jamaica the place of Choice, to Live, Work and Raise Families and...

PANEL REMARKS BY MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION, SENATOR, THE HON SANDREA FALCONER, AT CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FORUM—‘ENGAGING THE MEDIA TO PROMOTE  TRUST AND COMPETITIVENESS IN GOVERNANCE—EVERY STAKHOLDER’S CSR’, MONA VISITORS LODGE, MONDAY MARCH 25, 2013 SALUTATIONS I am honoured to be a part of this august panel discussing a very critical issue.  May I thank the Canadian High Commission...

Every one of us is a consumer and we expect high standards, fair treatment, a guarantee of safety for the products and services we utilize, and most of all, a legislative framework which protects us. Today Jamaica joins 250 countries around the world in the celebration of World Consumer Rights Day. This year’s theme ‘Consumer Justice Now’ is particularly poignant,...

Mr. Speaker, Again I would like to express condolences to President Nicholas Maduro, the family of the late President Hugo Chavez and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Once in a while there arises a leader from among the people who understands the aspirations of the people. Once in a while there arises a leader with the audacity...

Jamaica is proud to join the global community in the observance of International Women’s Day on March 8th. The United Nations theme for 2013 - ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women’ is timely and resonates not only with our women but every sector of the Jamaican population. We cannot ignore the unacceptable and...

The Government of Jamaica announced on Friday, February 22, that it will accept and settle submissions in excess of 97 percent of bonds eligible for the National Debt Exchange (NDX), which was announced on February 12, 2013. The Government of Jamaica is thankful for the strong participation from across the country and from all segments of the investor community. In...

The following is the statement entitled: IMF Mission and Jamaican Authorities Reach Staff-Level Agreement on Key Elements for EFF-Supported Program: Mr. Jan Kees Martijn, Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Jamaica, issued the following statement today in Kingston: “The mission has reached a staff-level agreement with the Jamaican authorities on the key elements of an economic program...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has called on Jamaicans to unite around addressing the country’s debt. She said that as long as “our debt as a percentage of our economy remains high, our capacity for growth and development will be severely limited”. “Success can only come from a truly national effort; all of us working in harmony....

Head of the IMF mission to Jamaica, Jan Kees Martijn, issued the following statement on Tuesday, February 12 in Kingston: “Over the last three decades, the Jamaican economy has experienced very low economic growth, declining productivity, and reduced international competitiveness. An important factor behind these problems has been Jamaica’s unsustainable debt burden, which has undermined confidence and elevated risks to...

My fellow Jamaicans, good evening. As we approach the final stages of our negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, this evening I wish to bring you up to date on the implications for all of us. It was thirty-six years ago that Jamaica signed its first loan agreement with the IMF. Since then, we have negotiated other IMF agreements. On...