News from the OPM

“The government understands the challenges that the economy faces, and we are putting in place measures to ensure that growth continues in spite of those challenges." ________________________________________________________ -Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the need for competent and trained talent is critical to Jamaica’s economic growth. In his address at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) 19th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Forum, Prime Minister Holness emphasized, “As a result of our historic low unemployment rate, we are faced with a new challenge. The binding constraint on our economic growth is no longer the availability of capital but the availability of talent." The Prime Minister said training and retaining local talents are crucial in the new economy. He stated, "Jamaica has exported talent overseas for years, contributing to the growth of other nations. Now, as our economy shows signs of progress, the need for local talent is crucial. It is worrying that our students often consider migration, but I cannot say to them don't migrate because migration is important for their exposure and the development of their talents. However, we must instill in them the belief that they can make it here in Jamaica and contribute to our growing economy."…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has disclosed that the government is actively considering the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley as a national hero of Jamaica. In an interview on Tuesday (January 23) at the "Bob Marley: One Love" movie premiere, Prime Minister Holness addressed the longstanding petition for national hero status, disclosing insights into the government's proactive approach to the matter. "There has been for a long time a petition for Bob Marley to become a national hero of Jamaica, and it continues to be something that many Jamaicans would warm to. We did put together a committee to look at it. There were commissions before that established the criteria for a national hero. The conversation has so far evolved to have a category that identifies iconic personalities, people who have added great value to our country, so there may be a designation,” said Prime Minister Holness. The establishment of the committee reflects the government's commitment to recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to Jamaica's cultural legacy. The Prime Minister’s ongoing dialogue also reflects a thoughtful and inclusive approach to commemorating deserving figures like Bob Marley. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness also emphasized the impact of the Bob Marley…

 "We look forward to the completion of this very significant development. The development will cement Jamaica’s brand in the lifestyle segment of the hospitality market." - Prime Minister Holness  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Pinnacle development is a groundbreaking move that is set to redefine Jamaica's skyline and elevate the nation's hospitality market. Prime Minister Holness says the development is marking a significant leap forward in the country's real estate sector. The Pinnacle is a mega project consisting of four towers, each standing on 28 stories, will house over 500 apartments upon its completion in four years. The Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm for this development, stating: "We look forward to the completion of this very significant development. The development will cement Jamaica’s brand in the lifestyle segment of the hospitality market. It will add a new dimension to our tourism." The Prime Minister’s comments came at the groundbreaking for the Pinnacle, in Montego Bay. While acknowledging the crucial role of the Pinnacle in the overall growth of the tourism industry, Prime Minister Holness noted that the government is aligning its policies to support development for workers within the tourism industry. “We have agreed that some of the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government is taking strategic and definitive measures to recraft and reposition Jamaica's tourism product. This as the government moves to keep Jamaica in the leading market position as a destination and product of choice. Prime Minister Holness says it is necessary to revitalize the offerings to get future tourism growth. “The tourism product is changing, it is evolving, and Jamaica has been a beneficiary of the conventional traditional views of tourism, sun, sea, and sand. But as the generations change, what the travel generation of the baby boomers and Generation X feel in terms of what is nostalgic, reggae music and the Caribbean sea, may not necessarily be what is driving Gen Z to come to our shores. So, Jamaica must strategically seek to recraft and reposition itself to get future tourism growth,” said Prime Minster Holness Speaking at the official double book launch for Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett at Devon House on January 10, 2024, Prime Minister Holness underscored that while Jamaica continues to produce more hotel rooms, the government is seeking to ensure that tourists are not just confined to the resorts but also venture into the towns and local communities,…

“This new plant signifies more than just economic progress; it's about uplifting Brand Jamaica and providing our people with opportunities for higher-order skills and employment." - Prime Minister Holness -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has welcomed the expansion and major investment of J$6.7 billion in the Jamaican market space by National Baking Company. At the same time, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformational impact the investment will have on brand Jamaica, innovation and the nation's workforce. Reiterating the Government’s focus and theme for 2024 of "peace, productivity, and prosperity," Prime Minister Holness emphasized the symbiotic relationship between economic growth, social responsibility, and the creation of highly skilled job opportunities. Speaking on Monday (January 8) at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay at the launch of National’s multi-billion dollar western Jamaica facility, the Prime Minister said: "This new plant signifies more than economic progress; it's about uplifting Brand Jamaica and providing our people with opportunities for higher-order skills and employment." Focusing on the link between the investment and Brand Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness stated, "Jamaica's biggest asset is our people, and our people create value cumulatively, which we describe as the brand." Prime Minister Holness urged businesses to leverage the value of…

“I bring good news for the people of St. James regarding the improvement of the Charles Gordon Market and adjoining facilities, but even greater plans for the improvement of the market districts as a whole.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the government will undertake a comprehensive redevelopment of several markets and recreational spaces across the island. This is to modernize  the facilities and improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic while maintaining commercial flow. "The government is going to place a spotlight on improving markets across Jamaica. It is part of our thrust for the improvement of local communities and urban spaces. That thrust will not only be improving markets, but also improving local recreational spaces such as parks. The focus on markets is primarily to improve the flow of traffic both for pedestrian and for vehicular traffic in the urban spaces,” said Prime Holness. The Prime Minister noted that from his observations, the level of commerce that could take place in the districts where the markets are located could be significantly more if traffic and commercial flows were properly organized. Speaking on Monday, January 8, 2024 during a tour of the Charles Gordon Market in…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Montego Bay Perimeter Road is poised to spur economic growth and create new opportunities for both the city of Montego Bay in St. James and the western region of Jamaica. The new roadway is being constructed as a bypass for the city of Montego Bay to reduce traffic congestion. Prime Minister Holness on January 8 toured a section of the road and gave an update on the progress of the infrastructure project. The Prime Minister underscored the government’s commitment to complete the bypass efficiently but, more importantly, to create new corridors for progress and sustainable economic growth. "Construction is now underway, forming the foundation of possibly the longest bridge ever built in Jamaica. This project is going to be a landmark project for infrastructure in Jamaica. We intend to complete this in record time, but we are also going to be opening up many new corridors for development,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister also highlighted the considerable progress already achieved, with over 60% of the route excavated to a point where 4-wheel-drive vehicles can traverse it. Emphasizing the significance of supporting infrastructure, Prime Minister Holness expressed satisfaction with the meticulous planning of…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the government will be breaking ground to construct new buildings and expand the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine. The Prime Minister also announced the construction of two new Type 5 clinics in Portmore and Old Harbour in the parish. Speaking on January 8, 2024 while touring the Montego Bay Comprehensive Type 5 Clinic in St. James, Prime Minister Holness stated: “Later on this month we will be breaking ground for a massive, upgrade and construction of new buildings at the Spanish Town Hospital where I was born. It will be a massive investment in healthcare. We will build two new Type 5 healthcare facilities, one in Portmore and the other in Old Harbour. These will be modern facilities.” The announcement of the massive upgrades to the healthcare sector is in addition to the renovations at several public health facilities including the Cornwall Regional Hospital. The upcoming expansion of the Montego Bay Comprehensive Type 5 Clinic in St. James is also underway. “As an administration, we decided to make a massive investment, [in the Cornwall Regional Hospital] the equivalent of literally rebuilding the building, that’s the level of investment that we have put in…

The government has allocated $40 million to each constituency to undertake critical repairs and rehabilitation in their areas. The allocation is in response to severe weather events that impact the island. Prime Minister Holness on January 4 addressed the matter while touring sections of Eastern Portland that were battered by the recent heavy rains. Prime Minister Holness noted that a ground-breaking initiative, the Spark Programme, has been introduced with a budget allocation of $20 billion solely dedicated to road repairs and rehabilitation. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness emphasized, "This significant allocation may sound substantial, but it is crucial to recognize the vast demands across the country. We acknowledge the need for community involvement to ensure the effective allocation of funds and address the priorities expressed by the people." Consequently, the unusual weather pattern, characterized by increased intensity and quantity of rainfall, has prompted the government to reevaluate its approach to road maintenance, moving from a reactive to a preventative maintenance programme. "The recent weather events in Portland have highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to road maintenance. We cannot merely react to damages; we must proactively work to prevent them and extend the lifespan of our roads,” said Prime…