News from the OPM

On July 19, 2016, mining conglomerate, UC Rusal, finalized a private commercial transaction with China's Jinquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCo) for the sale of ALPART, one of Jamaica’s largest bauxite plants whose operations have been significantly scaled down since 2009.   This transaction holds great potential for the development, revival and expansion of the mining sector and other related value-added industries including aluminum, limestone and cement.   Discussions with JISCo have been ongoing and transcend political administrations. Investments of this nature must be done in full consultation with the Government in order to ensure structured implementation on a sustainable basis.   Given the recent conclusion of the sale transaction which established new ownership and the expected visit of the principals of JISCo in September 2016, the Government is preparing to receive and consider the definitive plans regarding the development of ALPART. The Government is coordinating across all relevant Ministries and Agencies in preparation for these discussions.   The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica has arranged a series of consultative meetings and on August 8, 2016, one such meeting was held with representatives of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), the National Environment Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Planning…

Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, has described the late television producer and founder of Phase Three Productions, Richard Forbes, as “a man of great vision who transformed film and television production in Jamaica.”   According to Prime Minister Holness, “Mr Forbes had a passion and demonstrated commitment to media and the development of Jamaica’s creative industry.  He was a very patriotic Jamaican who dedicated his life to building up the production house that he started with his wife, Marcia, 30 years ago. Today that production house, run by his son, is a leader in multimedia and television production in Jamaica — and that’s due in great part to Pardy’s passion and leadership.”   Mr Forbes, who’s affectionately called ‘Pardy’ passed away last night (Wednesday).   Prime Minister Holness has expressed condolences to Mr Forbes’ family and friends — including his widow, Marcia, and son, Delano.  

Prime Minister, The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has expressed regret at the passing of Mrs. Fay Tortello, sister of the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister and Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).   Mrs. Tortello, a former Honorary Consul for Italy and a businesswoman, passed peacefully at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) on Monday, August 1, three days before her 85th birthday.   The Prime Minister described Mrs. Tortello as a savvy business woman. As consul for Italy, she brokered a number of projects between the Italian and Jamaican governments which included the rehabilitation of JPS power plants in Old Harbour and upgrade of the Bustamante Hospital in Kingston at no cost to Jamaica.   “She was known for her dynamic and forceful personality and was a favourite caller to Wilmot “Mutty” Perkins' radio talk show. She would sometimes argue with him on a range of topical issues in the 1990s,” Mr. Holness said.   The Prime Minister also recalled “Mrs. Tortello often used a keen sense of humour to sharpen her strong political points. Her voice was easily identifiable and she was the only one to call him…

Cabinet has approved a reactivation of the trade compensation mechanism, up to a value of US $4m, under bilateral arrangements in place with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The PetroCaribe Agreement provides that loan repayments to Venezuela may be made by way of goods and services, valued at preferential rates under the Trade Compensation Mechanism. This is to promote the exchange of goods and services and to build domestic production capacity and trade relations. The arrangement will be coordinated through the Petrocaribe Development Fund which will facilitate the commercial transactions between Jamaican and Venezuelan businesses for the supply of priority products produced in Jamaica and desired by the Venezuelan market. The details will be worked out in further discussions between the parties, with a projected activation in the last quarter of 2016.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH & INFORMATION Statement of the New Funding Arrangements for Schools July 26, 2016 In May 2016, the Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid announced the removal of the payment of auxiliary fees to all secondary institutions. Since then, much debate has ensued about the implications of this removal.  This Government believes that education must be compulsory between the ages of your third and eighteenth birthday.  Already through the weight of legislation we have provided for free access to early childhood and primary education.  Access to secondary education is not defined as a right in our Charter of Rights but the Education Regulations and Child Care and Protection Act do place an obligation on the state to provide access to educational opportunities.  As a matter of policy and law therefore, Jamaican children are entitled to freely access public education up to age 18 and should be attached to an institution up to that age.   If this then is the law, policy and social consensus, then no Jamaican child seeking to access publicly provided education should in any way be discriminated against, barred from or denied access to education.   We are now therefore…

  A toll-free number has been established for persons needing information on the Jamaica House Fellowship Programme.  The number 1-888-429-5JHF (543), will be in operation on Mondays to Thursdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Fridays 8:30 am to 4:00pm.   Acting Chief Technical Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Mrs. Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart is encouraging individuals to call if they need information on the programme or to confirm receipt of their applications.   The Jamaica House Fellowship Programme was announced by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness during his Budget Presentation earlier this year,  and is designed to provide the government with the services of some of Jamaica’s most promising young minds and high capacity managers.   The Fellowship is a paid full-time assignment with the Office of the Prime Minister for a period of two years.  Under the programme, successful candidates will be guided by the Chief Technical Director in the OPM and involved in a wide range of high impact projects while interacting with Cabinet and other officials at the OPM in wider government service.   Mrs. Lynch-Stewart explained that since the OPM began accepting applications for the fellowship programme on July 20, the response…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (Wednesday, July 20) hosted a delegation from the International Monetary Fund headed by Mr. Nigel Chalk, Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, and Ms. Uma Ramakrishnan, Mission Chief for Jamaica. The Prime Minister was joined in the discussions by Minister of Finance, Hon. Audley Shaw, Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter and other members of the economic team. After the meeting, the Prime Minister stated, "We had open, positive and fruitful discussions with the IMF team. We agreed that the government's focus on growth and job creation, poverty reduction and national security should be reflected in, and central to, any future programme with the IMF while ensuring that macroeconomic discipline is maintained. We thank the IMF for their continued support of Jamaica."

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is urging all Jamaicans to be responsible in using our nation’s roads and emphasized that not obeying the rules will cost drivers their lives. In a recent video produced by the Office of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Holness said he was deeply concerned that over 200 persons have died in road crashes since the start of the year and appealed to road users to take special care as they use thoroughfares. “Drivers, passengers, motor cyclists and pedestrians - slow down. Observe the rules of the road, be courteous, drive defensively, be considerate, buckle up and wear a helmet,” Prime Minister Holness urged. “The life you save may be your own”, he added. The Prime Minister encouraged all road users to be cautious when using the nation’s roadways to reduce road fatalities.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (Tuesday July 19) presented the Innovation Grant from New Ideas to Entrepreneur (IGNITE) award to 27 entrepreneurs, at the Spanish Court Hotel. The Development Bank of Jamaica’s IGNITE, is a pilot project under which up to $4 million (or 70% of a project’s cost) is provided to implement innovation activities in support of the creation and growth of new firms by entrepreneurs in the productive sector. In his keynote address, Prime Minister Holness said that the government is committed to promoting new businesses. “Economic growth is not an accident, we do not just happen upon it but we do have it within us. The government plays the part of "Market Maker". He commended the DBJ for being a market maker, saying that they have paired talent with resources in creating a market to spur growth and job creation. “I want to congratulate the Board and management of the Development Bank of Jamaica Limited on this innovative idea to stimulate new businesses.’ Awardees were selected from a wide range of industries including agro-processing, information technology, spa and wellness, and education. Their projects have the potential to generate revenue of more than $1 billion and creating more…