News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Economic Growth is not a pipe dream Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, says that economic growth is not a pipe dream. The Prime Minister was speaking at the launch and signing ceremony of the declaration of intent to implement the Economic Growth Council’s growth plan at the Courtleigh Auditorium on Monday (November 7, 2016). “Economic growth is not a popular angle because we are not accustomed to it after so many decades of not having economic growth. It must be a part of our culture, a part of our expectations. Implementation of the EGC eight steps growth plan is the function of the government” said Prime Minister Holness. The EGC will ensure that the government maintains its commitment to the people of Jamaica to deliver real GDP growth of 5-percent in 4 years. The Council has dubbed the plan to grow the economy the 5 in 4 growth plan, which is vital to take Jamaica to prosperity. The Prime Minister noted that the ‘5 in 4’ plan is an inclusive partnership for all Jamaicans. “Building human capital is integral to the process of economic growth; the human being is at the centre. It’s about empowering people,…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has extended congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, to the President-elect of the United States of America, Mr. Donald J. Trump. The Prime Minister communicated the great value placed by Jamaica on the longstanding friendship and cooperation, which has shaped our bilateral relationship with the United States for more than 50 years. He also articulated a shared commitment to achieving and maintaining economic growth and development for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and for the peoples of the hemisphere. Prime Minister Holness emphasized the intention to build on existing initiatives, to explore new opportunities, as well as the desire to strengthen US/Caribbean and Jamaican relations. The Prime Minister extended his best wishes to President-elect Trump, and for peace and prosperity for the people of the United States of America.

Over 150 members of the Jamaican diaspora turned out on Tuesday evening, 2nd November to meet Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the Jamaican High Commission in Port of Spain.  Prime Minster Holness was on a one-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago for the IMF’s 2016 High-Level Caribbean Forum. Declaring that the diaspora, including the Caribbean diaspora, were part of Jamaica’s “commonwealth” Prime Minister Holness said that the diaspora is key to Jamaica’s growth and development and is “needed to exercise influence in favour of Jamaica in their adopted countries”. The Prime Minister addressed Jamaica's relations with Trinidad and Tobago following High-Level Bilateral talks with his counterpart Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in July 2016. He gave an overview of the policies and initiatives of the Government aimed at achieving economic growth and job creation, including the IMF Programme, the positive economic outlook for Jamaica, energy prospects, and bi-partisan efforts in achieving further infrastructural development. In addition, the Prime Minister fielded  questions from members of the audience and stressed the need for investment flows into Jamaica and the importance of leveraging the diaspora in attracting investment into Jamaica. ' Accompanying the Prime Minister to the meeting at the High Commission were Ambassador Dr. Nigel Clarke, Dr. Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development…

Prime Minister To Attend High Level Caribbean Forum in Trinidad Prime Minister Andrew Holness will lead a delegation to the 2016 High Level Caribbean Forum to be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Wednesday, November 2. The one day forum will be hosted by the International Monetary Fund and the Trinidad and Tobago authorities under the theme “Shifting Tides: Challenges and Opportunities”. The forum will bring together regional Prime Ministers, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, donors, and representatives from international financial institutions and the private sector to exchange views on the unique challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean region. It will address issues such as: Global and regional challenges (growth, competitiveness, and oil prices); spillovers from Cuba, and policies to address de-risking. Prime Minister Holness is scheduled to present at the first session of the forum. The Prime Minister departs the island this evening and is expected to return on Thursday, November 3. During his absence, Honourable Derrick Smith, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister will be in charge of the government. --30-- Contact:    Communications Unit-OPM Tel:               876-926-0244 Fax:              876-920-4684 Email:           [email protected] Website:      www.opm.gov.jm Facebook:  www.facebook.com/jamaicahouse Twitter:         www.twitter.com/opmjamaica

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (Monday, October 31) announced the formation of a nine member Enterprise Team to manage the process of the government’s waste to energy programme as well as contracting out solid waste management and collection. The team will also manage the divestment of the Riverton City landfill.   The members of the Enterprise team are:   Mr. Lyttleton Shirley - Chairman Dr. Milton Clarke - Deputy Chairman Mr. Milverton Reynolds - Representative from the Development Bank of Jamaica Ms. Rochelle Dacres - Representative from Ministry of Finance Public Service, Mr. Fitroy Vidal - Representative from Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Kerrine Senior - Representative from National Environment & Planning Agency, Mr. Audley Gordon - Representative from the National Solid Waste Management Authority Mr. Patrick Gordon – Mechanical Engineer Mr. Paul Tai - Attorney at law   Prime Minister Holness said it is envisioned that over time, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, NSWMA, will move toward being a regulator rather than a collector of solid waste.   “This does not mean that the jobs involved in waste collection and management will not be affected. In fact what is likely to happen is that there…

Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew, Mrs. Juliet Holness is currently attending the Caribbean Regional Workshop for Parliamentarians and Policy Makers on Cyber Security in Washington DC. The Workshop began on the 17th of October and will end on the 20th. The workshop is organized in partnership between the Commonwealth Parliaments Association (CPA) and the Organisation of American States (OAS) as a part of the OAS’s Cyber Security Program and will bring together an audience of parliamentarians and policy makers across the region as well as high profile experts from international and non-governmental organisations, civil society and academia. Mrs. Holness said, “We depend heavily on the internet, it brings many opportunities and while it facilitates this openness, it also makes individuals and companies easy prey for hackers and fraudsters. The government has a responsibility and a mandate to ensure that cyber security is high on the national agenda”. The workshop seeks to strengthen parliamentarians’ awareness of cyber security threats and promote the implementation of appropriate legislative scrutiny and oversight mechanisms in their respective jurisdictions and aims to produce an international e-Handbook on cyber security. Mrs. Holness is joined by MP for South Eastern St. Andrew Julian Robinson. She…

The government of Jamaica mourns the passing of businessman, President and CEO of Supreme Ventures Limited and vice chairman of the National Health Fund, Brian George.   Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute to George's business legacy in the development of Jamaica's economy and the private sector.   Recognising George, who died this morning (October 23), as a true believer in Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness says the government and the people of Jamaica are truly saddened by his untimely death.   “It would be difficult to enumerate all of the contributions Brian made to Jamaica and our people. Through various initiatives led by him, Supreme Ventures has become known for not only its lottery business but also its deep belief in community development. Under Brian, the company became a standard for good corporate citizenship”.   Prime Minister Holness added that the country and the government extend sincere condolences to his wife Keneea Linton-George, his sons, friends and family in Trinidad and Tobago and here in Jamaica.   The Prime Minister said Brian’s legacy will be cherished by all who he touched and impacted with his selflessness and dedication to Jamaica.

13, October 2016 Background & Summary On 27 September 2016, the Medical Officer in the Surveillance Unit of the Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department (KSAHD) received an email from the Microbiologist at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL). It concerned a verbal report from Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) which made mention of the occurrence of four cases of Group B Streptococcus Bacteraemia at the Special Care Nursery (SCN)/Neonatal Care Unit (NCU), VJH, with resultant neonatal deaths in September 2016. A preliminary investigation was initiated. The four (4) infants who demised were newborns delivered at the VJH, Labour Ward (LW). One was born premature and was admitted directly from LW to the Special Care Nursery (SCN)/Neonatal Care Unit (NCU). One term neonate was also admitted directly from LW. The other 2 term neonates spent a few hours with their mothers on the Postnatal Ward, VJH (4th Floor) before being admitted to the SCN/NCU. Investigations revealed there was also a fifth case which survived. A timeline for the babies’ diagnosis is outlined in Table 1 and Table 2 summarizes the antibiotic sensitivity patterns for the isolated organism. The Streptococcus was isolated from the blood cultures of the neonates. On October 8,…

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Uma Ramakrishnan visited Kingston during September 21–30, 2016, to conduct discussions on a new IMF-supported economic program with Jamaica. To underscore the positive outcomes of these discussions, The Most Honourable Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica and Alejandro Werner, Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, issued the following statement in Kingston today: “The IMF team and the Jamaican authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on a new economic program for Jamaica that would be supported by a 36-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF with access of SDR 1.2 billion (equivalent to 312 percent of quota or about US$1.7 billion). If approved by the IMF’s Executive Board, SDR300 million (about US$430 million) would be immediately available. Given the Bank of Jamaica’s comfortable foreign reserves position, the Jamaican authorities have indicated their intention to treat the SBA as precautionary, that is, effectively an insurance policy against unforeseen economic shocks that are beyond the control of Jamaica. “This new proposed program, and the important commitment of IMF resources that it entails, is a firm vote of confidence in Jamaica. The request to move to a precautionary arrangement is a sign of strength and…