News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the transformation of the public sector is integral to maintaining a fiscally responsible path. He says there are several areas in which fiscal responsibility has to be applied and the public sector is one such area. The prime minister was speaking yesterday (September 28) at the Ground Breaking ceremony of 58HWT; the largest TECH PARK in the Caribbean, which will provide 236,000 square foot of office space. Fiscal responsibility “has to be applied in the area of public sector transformation. And that, of course, will test the consensus that has emerged across administrations on the matter of fiscal responsibility. Indeed that is going to be the next test of whether or not there is truly political consensus on the continuity of fiscal responsibility,” explained Mr Holness. Mr Holness said in order to nurture Jamaica’s sustained growth in outsourcing services the government must provide a stable fiscal environment where businesses can grow. “We have as a people, maintained a fiscally responsible path and we have enshrined that in legislation; there is no political divide on this matter,” declared Prime Minister Holness. Mr Holness added that the Government is also working assiduously to increase the number of trained…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government remains committed to environmental protection while promoting sustainable development and growth. The Prime Minister said Jamaica is taking a holistic approach to planned development, particularly in the tourism sector. “Sustainability is a core feature of Jamaica’s growth agenda; we must find the right balance so that we have growth but not at the expense of the environment,” said the prime minister. He was speaking yesterday (September 25) at the official opening of Breathless Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay. Against the background of natural disasters such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria which earlier this month devastated several Caribbean islands, Prime Minister Holness called on Caribbean leaders to take the necessary steps to ensure that the region’s tourism industry is sustainable. He says Jamaica and the Caribbean must factor in disaster resilience, recovery and adaptation in a systematic and institutional way given the changing realities. “Tourism is one of the very few industries in which the Caribbean region has both Global competitive and comparative advantage and we must do all we can to make this sustainable,” stated the prime minister. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness has called on world leaders to recognize the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has asserted that the country’s tourism product is poised for greater growth. However, he added that growth and benefits in the tourism industry call for increased responsibility. The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (September 24) at the launch of the 27th staging of the Jamaica Product Exchange, JAPEX at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James. “Rising tourism numbers are a serious responsibility that calls for proper management, better use of technologies and innovation, greater education among businesses, tourists and host communities, and closer coordination between public authorities and between the public and the private sector,” explained Prime Minister Holness. This responsibility he said is to promote common values and responsibility to work together in a partnership for success in the tourism industry. “Tourism intensifies our role as global citizens, stewards and ambassadors, calling us to be architects of a sustainable future,” he added. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness noted that tourism is ideally positioned as a powerful catalyst for improving the socio-economic conditions of Jamaicans. “In addition to creating jobs, by the nature of its operations tourism is a sector that has the potential to stimulate wide-scale economic activity, drive new growth in our communities and earn…

The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to congratulate the Jamaica Environment Trust and other Jamaicans who worked together to ensure the success of the “Save Cockpit Country” petition. The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to advise that, as was committed, the government will officially respond to the petition. The Office of the Prime Minister will respond within thirty (30) days to address the issues and concerns brought by the petition. The Office of the Prime Minister also wishes to emphasize its support for initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and encourages citizens to be more caring of their surroundings and to adopt sustainable environmental practices.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the National Housing Trust, NHT, is on track to do a historic 8000 mortgages which will amount to approximately $28 Billion of housing loans this financial year. The prime minister made the disclosure today (September 22) at the Ground-breaking ceremony for the NHT Ruthven Towers housing development in St. Andrew. The Ruthven Towers Housing Development Phase 1 will comprise sixty-four (64) one and two bedroom apartments. Construction will commence in November of this year and is scheduled for completion in July 2019. The total development cost is $1.2 Billion. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness said the NHT is delivering on a mandate set by the Government to build more houses. “We are not just building houses in the high-income category, we're not building houses alone in the middle-income category but we are building mostly housing solutions for persons above minimum wage,” stated Prime Minister Holness. Mr Holness said the government must act as a facilitator to ensure that housing developers provide housing solutions as rapidly as people are moving into the urban areas. “Agencies such as the NHT must correct the market failure that has happened over these many years; where the private housing development…

The Government of Jamaica yesterday (September 18) received the second of two groups of Jamaicans to the island who were airlifted out of the British Virgin Islands, BVI. The Jamaicans were stranded in the BVI following the passage of Hurricane Irma last week. The Category 5 Hurricane devastated counties in the island chain and resulted in downed trees, torn roofs, no electricity and other services on the islands. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon Shahine Robinson says that registration of Jamaicans began after contact was established last week with the British Territory. “We took a delegation in yesterday, PICA and RGD because there were challenges with damaged passports, and persons needing travel documents. We were able to issue emergency certificates on the spot yesterday and do a better assessment”, explained the Minister. She had travelled to the BVI to get a first-hand account of the issues. The effort was spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministries of Local Government and Community Development and Foreign Affairs. The Jamaican nationals were shuttled from Tortola into Antigua, and then to Jamaica. “It was a whole of Government approach and I think we did our very best and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica will provide whatever assistance it can to Caribbean nations impacted by major hurricanes that have battered the Eastern Caribbean islands. Speaking this morning (September 19), Prime Minister Holness said, "I am in touch with the Prime Ministers from the eastern Caribbean. Our prayers are with them as they seek to recover from these tragedies. Jamaica stands with them in their time of need.” Category 5 Hurricane Maria battered the island of Dominica last night, uprooting trees and ripping off roofs. Power has been lost in the country. To date, no formal communication has been had with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. However, Prime Minister Holness says he has seen some social media posts which were made. Last week, Hurricane Category 5 Irma caused devastation in several islands in the eastern Caribbean including the British and US Virgin  Islands, Antigua and Barbuda. Prime Minister Holness says Jamaica will assist where possible. “Jamaica stands ready to assist our Caribbean neighbours. We are calling on the private sector to also assist where possible,” said Mr Holness. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness also revealed that Jamaica has provided airlift for Jamaicans from St Martin and the British Virgin Islands. He noted…

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) today (September 15) announced it will be solely financing the rehabilitation works of the critical Junction corridor which links Kingston and St. Andrew to the eastern parishes of St. Mary and Portland. Prime Minister Andrew Holness signed a contract with Surrey Paving and Aggregates Limited for Package 1 of the Tom’s River to Agualta Vale (Agualta Vale to Broadgate) improvement project. Improvement works will be undertaken under Phase II of the GOJ Roads Rehabilitation Project. The total value of the project is approximately $626 Million, which includes the works component and management fees for the contractors. Prime Minister Holness says the road improvement project is part of the strategic development of Jamaica’s critical infrastructure. “We understand that the strategic development of Jamaica is intrinsically linked to our infrastructure development, in particular, our roadways and highways. We are opening people to increased access and opportunities,” said Prime Minister Holness at the signing ceremony which took place at the Banquet Hall, Jamaica House. The Prime Minister said the Junction Road selects itself for repair and the state of the road deserves the Government’s attention. He said the Government is committed to infrastructure development and improving connectivity among…

The Governments of Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China this morning (September 11) pledged to continue to build on the strategic partnership between both countries. The renewed commitment comes as the State Councillor and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office in China His Excellency Dr. Yang Jiechi met with Prime Minister Holness and members of the Cabinet for a one-day official visit to the island. Prime Minister Holness says that the relationship between both countries is evolving. “We will continue to ensure that the projects undertaken between our countries are aligned, not just for our development but for the development of China as well so that the development is mutual," stated Prime Minister Holness. The prime minister says that Jamaica has benefitted from infrastructural development as well as investment in capacity building from the People’s Republic of China. During the exchange, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Framework Cooperation Agreement for production capacity, which Prime Minister Holness said is a very important opportunity for Jamaica. “We see this as the basis on which Jamaica could expand significantly its manufacturing sector through the production capacity sharing possibilities that come as a result of the framework agreement and we will…