News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced a significant step toward alleviating traffic congestion and improving productivity along Jamaica’s northern coastal corridor. The Government yesterday (August 4) signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Jamaica through NROCC and the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to expand the critical roadway. Prime Minister Holness said the MOU facilitates feasibility and impact assessment studies for the proposed extension of the North-South Highway westward to Discovery Bay in St. Ann and eastward to Tower Isle in St. Mary. “This MOU pertains to the proposed extension comprising of the two segments, from Mammee Bay to Discovery Bay, approximately 25.2 kilometers, and eastwards from Mammee Bay to Tower Isle, in St. Mary, approximately 15 kilometers. The MOU is valid for two years and will allow CHEC to conduct technical, financial, environmental, and social feasibility studies at no cost to the Government,” explained Dr. Holness. On average days, the roadway that links the capital and eastern Jamaica to the northwest and coastal areas is heavily congested. There is also greater impact over holiday periods and for major events. Prime Minister Holness emphasized the urgency of action. “Traffic studies confirm what commuters have been…

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fundamentally transforming Jamaica’s education system to ensure fairness, equity, and opportunity for all children, regardless of their background or where they live. Speaking on Thursday (July 31) at the PEP Awards Dinner hosted by Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, Prime Minister Holness addressed long-standing structural inequalities within the education system and outlined the Government’s efforts to correct them. “Education is acknowledged as the key to success. It is the vehicle of social mobility. If you want to, as we say in Jamaica, step up in life, you need to get a good education,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister emphasized that a democratic reform of the education system should reflect the diverse needs, talents, and learning styles of all Jamaican children. “The education system needs a democratic reform that gives every Jamaican child equal access to quality education that caters to their own innate needs and abilities and will help to improve and enhance those abilities. So, education is not just a very limited scope, but it is very wide, and…

The much-anticipated Caymanas Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is closer to reality as Prime Minister Andrew Holness led the groundbreaking ceremony for the transformational and historic project. The Caymanas SEZ marks the beginning of the most modern and strategically developed SEZ in the Caribbean. It is a step toward transforming Jamaica into a globally competitive logistics hub and unlocking a new era of inclusive economic growth. Speaking yesterday (July 29) at the official launch, Prime Minister Holness described the initiative as the long-awaited materialization of a national dream. Dr. Holness said the SEZ is a reality supported by a stable, growing economy and a deliberate, strategic development agenda. “It is Jamaica's dream to finally see a special economic zone created here at Caymanas. What you are seeing is not just the materialization of a dream, but you are also seeing the dividends of a well-run economy,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Caymanas SEZ forms part of Phase Three in the Government’s long-term strategy to modernize Jamaica’s logistics infrastructure. The first phase involved significant investment to upgrade Kingston’s transshipment terminals, including dredging, reconstruction, and equipment modernization, culminating in a port with a certified capacity of 3.2 million TEUs. The second phase, currently underway, focuses…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness outlined transformative plans to establish Jamaica’s third city in the parish of St. Elizabeth. The development will be a purpose-built urban space which will spur greater development in the island's south coast. Speaking during the grand opening of KFC Black River on Saturday, July 26, 2025, Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable national development and transformation, as he unveiled a major initiative to shift the country’s urban growth model through a strategically planned city unlike any before in modern Jamaica. The Prime Minister confirmed that following detailed assessments by the Urban Development Corporation, UDC, the parish of St. Elizabeth has been identified as the most viable location to host this new urban centre, citing its combination of geographic advantages, economic potential and cultural heritage. The Prime Minister said, “The area that we have been advised is the best area to do an entirely new city, and it is because all the requisite elements to create a new city exist here. And you don't want to create a city that replicates Montego Bay and replicates Kingston. You want to create something unique. And therefore, this parish, St. Elizabeth, would be where we would…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of the Honourable Don Wehby, OJ, CD, former Senator, Cabinet Minister, and Group Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Limited, who passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025. “We mourn the passing of a respected former government Senator and a visionary leader whose influence spanned both public service and private enterprise. My heart goes out to the family, loved ones, friends, colleagues, and admirers of Don Wehby, who transitioned yesterday,” said Prime Minister Holness in a statement this morning. Don Wehby’s career was marked by distinguished service to Jamaica in both the public and private sectors. Former Senator Wehby joined GraceKennedy in 1995 and rose through the ranks to become Group CEO in July 2011, following his role as Group COO upon his return to the company in 2009. Under his transformative leadership, GraceKennedy evolved into one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic conglomerates with a global footprint. The Hon. Don Wehby was instrumental in tripling the company’s revenue and cementing its role as a Jamaican success story. In public life, former Senator Wehby served with integrity and distinction in the Upper House and as Minister without Portfolio in the…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says Jamaica now has the strongest and most resilient economy in its modern history. Prime Minister Holness says the economy for the past nine years has been built on consistent growth, reduced debt, record-low unemployment, and a stable, investor-friendly climate. Speaking on Wednesday (July 23) at the 200th anniversary celebration of J. Wray & Nephew, Prime Minister Holness outlined how the Government is removing every obstacle to growth, reforming bureaucracy, and laying the groundwork for a globally competitive Jamaican economy. Dr. Holness highlighted unprecedented macroeconomic progress under his administration, crediting a combination of fiscal discipline, private-sector partnership, and focused policy reforms, including: Reduction in debt-to-GDP from over 140% in 2013 to 68.7% today, with a target of 60% by 2027. The lowest unemployment rate recorded in Jamaica's history of 3.3%. Stable inflation, within the Bank of Jamaica’s target band. Nine consecutive years of no new taxes, boosting investor confidence. Foreign exchange availability is secure, with record-high international reserves and no capital controls, making Jamaica unique in the region. “We have achieved all of this while delivering the longest period of sustained economic growth in Jamaica’s history,” Dr. Holness said. Even after Hurricane Beryl and Tropical…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the newly launched and much-anticipated Harmony Cove Development Project in Trelawny must serve as a model of equitable, sustainable growth, providing tangible benefits to the Jamaican people while safeguarding national assets. Speaking at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held on Tuesday (July 22) at the Harmony Cove Great House, the Prime Minister said the investment must lead to inclusive development that uplifts communities and drives long-term economic transformation. “This project must result not just in the growth of the bottom line of the developers, but it must result in the growth of our GDP and in the growth of the households that are connected to it. That is the objective,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Harmony Cove project is a major tourism development backed by international investment partners, including Tavistock Group and Nexus. The development is the first project to be launched following the passage of the Large Scale Projects and Pioneer Industries Act earlier this year. It is expected to transform Jamaica's tourism product, significantly enhancing job creation and deepening local linkages. Prime Minister Holness explained that while the government encourages investment, it remains committed to protecting the country’s fiscal health, ensuring that no…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says Jamaicans must be creators with the ability to turn ideas into action, build businesses, and lead innovation. Dr. Holness asserted that to grow and expand, it is not enough to be mere consumers. Speaking last week at the MSME Linkages Day organized by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the next wave of national growth will be powered by government policy and the mindset of Jamaicans who choose to become innovators and owners of value. “We see the iPhones, the fancy gadgets, and the products we consume, but we don’t always think that we can produce them,” said Prime Minister Holness. “We must shift from seeing ourselves only as consumers to seeing ourselves as creators of value, owners of industry, and participants in global trade.” The Prime Minister noted that this mindset is rooted in the colonial past. Dr. Holness said we must detach from the historical wound and heal through business enterprise and ownership. “We were disconnected from the value we created through the plantation economy. We must now take hold of that value, trade it, and prosper from it.” Prime Minister Holness highlighted new and…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced an amnesty for clients of the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) with outstanding amounts under one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The move will allow the waiving of the amount so that land titles can be delivered to those who qualify. Prime Minister Holness made the announcement on Friday (July 18) at a HAJ function in Westmoreland. "I've told the chairman [of the HAJ] to examine the database for all titles with outstanding balances under $150,000, and we're going to offer an amnesty. I'd also like to use this platform to say to those with balances over $150,000, come in and start paying. Let us settle this and get all the titles out there into your hands because the title gives you access to financing. Once you have the title, you can go to your bank and get a loan and start a business. It helps. It gives you security," said Prime Minister Holness. Dr. Holness noted that more than 7,000 titles are in HAJ’s possession, many delayed due to surveying complications or unpaid balances, issues the amnesty aims to help resolve. In the meantime, Dr. Holness reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to…