News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica's society and economy cannot grow unless its entrepreneurial class grows. In this regard, Dr. Holness reaffirmed the government’s strategic focus on empowering Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to build a more inclusive, resilient, and export-driven economy. Speaking yesterday (July 15) at the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) MSME Linkages Day, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the government is driving a new era of wealth creation led by MSMEs, which he described as the backbone of the Jamaican economy. “We recommit ourselves to building an economy that works for you, but more important, an economy that works because of you… The Jamaican economy cannot grow unless its entrepreneurial class grows,” he said. The Prime Minister recalled the devastating legacy of the 1990s financial collapse and the FINSAC intervention, which wiped out thousands of small and medium businesses and eroded the country’s spirit of enterprise for decades. “It took nearly 30 years for Jamaica to recover from that debt burden. But the greater damage was to our culture of entrepreneurship, where businesses collapsed, generations of family enterprises were lost, and the appetite for risk vanished.” Prime Minister Holness noted that while the country…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says building resilience at the community level is crucial in the country's disaster response. Speaking last Thursday (July 10) during the Hurricane Beryl – Building a Better Jamaica Fund: National Tribute to Partnership and Recovery, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for local preparedness and sustainable recovery strategies. Prime Minister Holness noted that over the last decade, Jamaica has endured and rebounded from a series of global and domestic shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Holness said, prudent economic management, in recent years, has better equipped the country to withstand financial crises. However, Dr Holness cautioned that national resilience must be mirrored at the household and community levels, especially in the face of increasingly severe climate events, like Hurricane Beryl. Prime Minister Holness said: “Resilience has become a feature of the Jamaican economy and society in the last decade. We were able, in this last major shock, to address the fallout without borrowing. We were able to launch a national response right away because built into our fiscal management were buffers and insurance, which obviated the need to borrow to respond to a crisis.” Referencing the widespread damage caused by…

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says Jamaica has achieved several major milestones in its recovery following Hurricane Beryl. Dr Holness says this underscores the strength of collective action and the urgent need to embed resilience into every layer of Jamaican society. Speaking last Thursday (July 10) at the “Hurricane Beryl – Building A Better Jamaica Fund: National Tribute to Partnership & Recovery” ceremony, Prime Minister Holness outlined the extraordinary national response. The Prime Minister described the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall on July 3, 2024, devastating the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Clarendon. In the aftermath, the Government launched the Building A Better Jamaica Fund in partnership with the National Commercial Bank, NCB, on July 8, 2024. That call to action was met with unprecedented generosity from public and private partners. “Today, I'm pleased to report that the fund raised and matched $459 million, surpassing its $300 million target, fuelling one of the most extensive and effective post-disaster recovery operations in our modern history. Together, we provided emergency relief and restoration aid to 12,685 families,” said Prime Minister Holness. More than 12,000 families received aid through the Fund. An additional 1,191 farmers and fishers were supported…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the Government is set to take a second look at its flagship New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) to explore how it can be expanded to include the provision of land for beneficiaries who qualify but do not own or have access to suitable property. The move comes as the administration continues to scale up the programme and address one of its most significant constraints, land availability for eligible applicants. Speaking on Thursday (July 10, 2025) at a contract signing and groundbreaking ceremony for the Hibiscus Development in Central St. Andrew, where seven housing units will be constructed including four studios, one two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes, Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to inclusive and equitable housing access. “In the next budget, we will have more resources. We will expand the programme. We'll add new features to the programme so that we can serve more people, and that is what good government is about,” said Prime Minister Holness. Since its launch in 2019, the NSHP has made significant progress in delivering safe, quality and affordable housing to Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens. Dr. Holness outlined the structured rollout of the initiative. “We started in…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness is encouraging Jamaicans to take stock of the facts, facts that reveal a steady, measurable transformation in key areas of national life under his administration. Speaking against the backdrop of the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project, the Prime Minister reminded the country that what has long been promised by successive leaders is now being delivered. “It materialized under the administration of Andrew Michael Holness. And these are facts,” he stated. The Prime Minister acknowledged that facts alone do not always drive public opinion, especially in a political culture that often prioritizes personality and loyalty over performance. “As I know about politics, people don’t vote on facts. People vote on emotion. People are following their football team,” he said. “But the consequences of following the wrong football team are nothing like the consequences of following the wrong government. Good government matters.” He noted that this reality may be difficult for some to reconcile, especially when deeply held political emotions collide with evidence of meaningful progress. The Prime Minister noted that in recent years, the Government of Jamaica has made significant gains: reducing the national debt by more than half, cutting the unemployment rate…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness says the Government of Jamaica is advancing a deliberate, long-term strategy to make the country self-sufficient in food production. Speaking today at the groundbreaking of the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project, the Prime Minister explained that the irrigation infrastructure now being developed is not an isolated investment but part of a much larger national plan. “This is not about saying we’ve irrigated more land than anyone else,” said Prime Minister Holness. “This is about food security. This is about building the systems that allow Jamaica to feed itself.” The Prime Minister referenced a recent international report that identified Guyana as one of the few countries globally with sustainability in areas such as fruit and vegetable production. While acknowledging Guyana’s size and scale advantages, he reaffirmed his belief that Jamaica has the land and potential to achieve food self-sufficiency. “I believe Jamaica can feed itself. We have the land. What we have lacked over time is the will, the political direction, the technical capacity, the financial resources, and the infrastructure. And our administration is now addressing each of these areas, beginning with what government can directly control: policy, investment, and infrastructure.” Dr. Holness…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness described the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project as a massive step toward fulfilling a decades-old promise to the people of southern St. Elizabeth, a dream long held but never fully realized until now. The transformative project will bring over 4,000 hectares (9,884 acres) of some of Jamaica’s most fertile lands under irrigation. Once complete, it will benefit up to 6,000 farmers and households, empowering one of the most agriculturally rich regions of the island to finally reach its full potential. “This is no small undertaking,” said the Prime Minister. “Almost 10,000 acres of land, that’s the scale we’re working with. And yet, if you were to listen to parts of the national conversation, you would think this government just arrived and everything started yesterday. That is not the truth, and history must be respected.” The Prime Minister traced the origins of the project to the 1970s, when the intention to irrigate the Pedro Plains was first announced. Since then, the project has appeared in national addresses and promises, in 2005, to local political pledges, but remained unfinished for decades. “We’ve inherited these dreams,” Prime Minister Holness noted, “and unlike others, we’ve taken them off paper…

The Government of Jamaica has officially broken ground on the new Westlands Port Expansion Project, a major infrastructure development that is set to bring more jobs, better roads, and increased economic opportunity for Jamaicans. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking on Thursday (July 10) at the signing and groundbreaking ceremony in Kingston, emphasized that the project isn’t just about expanding Jamaica’s shipping capacity; it’s about transforming lives and strengthening the economy in ways that every Jamaican can feel. “This is not just a port project. This is about creating work for our people, bringing in more investment, and making sure Jamaica stays strong in a competitive world,” said Prime Minister Holness. “From day one, our goal has been to build an economy where Jamaicans can thrive, and this project is a major step in that direction.” The Westlands Port Expansion will immediately unlock hundreds of new, high-quality jobs, particularly in construction, logistics, and cargo handling. In the long term, it will help Jamaica attract more global trade, leading to even more job creation and small business opportunities for Jamaicans. The first phase of the expansion is backed by a US$80 million investment and will transform 15 hectares of land into a…

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, has officially closed the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), charting a decisive path forward on critical issues affecting the region. In a detailed address during the closing press conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Tuesday (July 8), Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the region’s commitment to deepening integration, accelerating implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), advancing regional security, and elevating the region’s voice on the global stage. On the CSME, Prime Minister Holness announced a pivotal breakthrough: “We agreed that the pace and scope of implementation are just too slow, and we agreed to speed them up. I am pleased to share that we are now moving from applying administratively the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation, with four countries reiterating their willingness to implement full free movement under the Protocol starting October 1, 2025.” To support this goal, the Regional Heads of Government also approved the inclusion of Aviation Personnel under the Skills Regime, with Jamaica contributing three new categories: Photogrammetry, Field Maintenance Personnel, and Aircraft Maintenance Personnel. Prime Minister Holness, who also chairs the External Trade Negotiations Committee, emphasized the…