News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it is essential that all stakeholders exercise patience as countries begin to recover from the pandemic. Speaking this afternoon (January 27, 2022) at the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Re-Opening of the New, Re-Imagined Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort, and Offshore Island in the Bahamas, Prime Minister Holness says it is important to note that while the recovery has started, we have not yet recovered. In this regard, he said; “the economy can only exist and grow in a society that is stable, that is looking out for the vulnerable, and people who have been affected, and their lives disrupted, by an event not of their making.” In continuing, the Prime Minister said it cannot be fair for some people to recover while others are still struggling. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness said, as difficult as the last two years have been, he is very optimistic of a stronger recovery; “I believe we are going to recover stronger and better than before the pandemic.” Noting that a recent survey by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO,) suggests that international tourist arrivals could grow by 30% to 78% in 2022 compared to 2021, Prime Minister Holness said the…

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has appointed Professor Alvin Wint the new Chairman of HEART NSTA Trust and has expanded its Board of Directors. Professor Wint is a noted researcher and academic; he is a professor of  International Business, and is a former Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Professor Wint has a track record of performance and national service, having led the Energy Sector Enterprise Team (ESET) which was tasked with assisting the Government in diversifying the country’s energy supply. He also led other national Commissions. The new Chairman comes to the role at a time when the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission report, which was released last week, made several recommendations for a review of the operations of the HEART/NSTA Trust. The Board is tasked with driving efficiency and strategic changes to meet the training needs of Jamaica. The Board is also expected to ensure that policy directives are followed by management. Prime Minister Holness announced that six (6) new members have been added to the Board which will drive the thrust to improve outcomes at HEART/NSTA Trust. The full membership of the expanded HEART NSTA Trust Board is as follows: Appointed January 17, 2022…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica is poised to become the financial hub of the Caribbean. He noted that the country is increasing its technology in the financial sector with several e-commerce innovations, the National Identification System (NIDS), and the digital currency. Speaking at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s 17th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference yesterday (January 25, 2022), the Prime Minister said Jamaica has a well-run stock market, and government policy is supportive of the development of the capital markets by providing a stream of assets and economic opportunities in which capital can invest. “All of this is possible because the Government’s management of the economy has created confidence, certainty and importantly has lowered transaction and political risks to business,” said Prime Minister Holness.However, the Prime Minister said for Jamaica to grow, there needs to be more than just a liquid capital market that is willing to invest; a greater emphasis on innovation is necessary. “We need innovators, people who are able to envision things that don’t exist and create them,” said Prime Minister Holness.In this regard, he pointed out that the government is investing in the education system to create these innovators. This includes the planned investment for the…

Prime Minister Holness says increased bank fees will cause greater stress on citizens. Speaking last evening (January 25, 2022) at the Opening Ceremony of the Jamaica Stock Exchange 17th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Prime Minister asserted that financial institutions must be cognizant of the difficulties that citizens face, especially during the pandemic. The Prime Minister said while Jamaica seeks to transition out of the pandemic and the related measures, we are still in the midst of a pandemic. In this regard, he noted that there are many Jamaicans experiencing significant financial difficulties.  He told business leaders present that with society still reeling from the economic fallout from the pandemic, it would be iniquitous to increase banking fees and other prices on consumers at this time. The Prime Minister said: “Business leaders must pay attention to the social context; I have a higher duty to ensure equity and to protect the vulnerable.” The Prime Minister further stated that in urging business leaders to consider the social context, he is not appealing to their conscience, but rather pointing out a fact that makes good business sense, while at the same time providing a buffer…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has signaled that more changes will be made to the Cabinet to better fulfill the mandate of the Government to its citizens as the needs of the society evolves. Speaking this morning (January 11, 2022) at a virtual ceremony to swear in three new Ministers and the Attorney General, the Prime Minister said: “As opportunities present themselves, there will be more changes to come. It is a difficult time, but we are a stable Government. We are a solid Government, we have competent people, we have a clear set goal and mission and with the challenges we face with the pandemic, we can say, unlike most countries that we have been surviving the pandemic, certainly from a fiscal standpoint very well. We have challenges with crime, but we have our plans in place, and we are steadily working through those. I wish to assure the people of Jamaica that we will not be deterred and we are on the job 24/7 working in your service,” said Prime Minister Holness. While congratulating the new Ministers who were sworn-in, the Prime Minister further stated: “Right now, we are focused on getting the Government's legislative agenda settled, getting agriculture back on track, getting information back on track, because what has happened in the pandemic is that we have seen an unleashing of a flood of false information, fake news and it would seem that there is a willingness to accept and believe false information.” In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness underscored that, like other organisations, the Administration will have to place…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness officially declared the new headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade building in downtown Kingston, in honour of the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer. The Prime Minister made the announcement yesterday (January 19, 2022) during the official opening ceremony of the Ministry’s headquarters on Port Royal Street Downtown. The Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer retains the title of the longest serving Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister from 1967 to 1972 and served simultaneously as Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and again as Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his remarks, Prime Minister Holness stated that the former Foreign  Affairs Minister laid the foundation for a “principled and forthright foreign policy posture” which has served Jamaica well. He also noted that one of the most acclaimed initiatives presented in the very first policy statement to the United Nations General Assembly by the late Hugh Lawson Shearer in 1962 was the proposal for the declaration of an international year of human rights which was observed in 1968. The Prime Minister said: “It was Hugh Lawson Shearer who delivered the policy statement and under whose initiative the proposal was developed. It was a demonstration of boldness and foresight that only a person of his sensitivity and awareness of the importance of the subject would convey. Hugh Shearer went on to deliver Jamaica’s policy statement as a newly independent country annually until 1966, thus pioneering the development of the Jamaican foreign ministry.” The naming of the new headquarters was approved by the Cabinet.In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness noted that former Prime Minister Shearer’s management of his portfolio at the Foreign Ministry was imbued with his conviction of the inextricable link between domestic and foreign policy. “He led his staff to operate at their best and earned their admiration for his…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the imposition of tighter COVID-19 containment measures could cause significant harm to the economy. Speaking yesterday (January 19, 2022) at the official opening and launch of the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, the Prime Minister pointed out that he has heard the calls for tighter restrictions. However,  Prime Minister Holness asserted that based on several factors, the economy would suffer negatively. “We have to reach a reasonable balance. Tighter rules could mean less work, it could mean less economic activity, less income and that could also mean,  more social problems,” said Prime Minister Holness. Since the beginning of the pandemic in Jamaica in March 2020, the Government has been advising the public to observe the basic infection prevention protocols. In that regard, the Prime Minister reminded everyone that as the country now faces the fourth wave of the COVID-19 disease, personal responsibility must be the order of the day. Further, Prime Minister Holness intimated that Jamaicans must develop and learn to use their freedom responsibly. Prime Minister Holness said: “Government has a duty to protect the citizens even against themselves but in a democracy which we claim, where people have freedom; that freedom comes with an…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO) for some communities in Savanna-la-mar south in the parish of Westmoreland for 60 days. Based on the recommendation of the security chiefs, members of the Jamaica Defence Force, JDF, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF,  were deployed at dawn yesterday (January 16) to several sections of the communities of Russia, Darling Street, and Dexter Street. The announcement of the declaration was made during a press conference yesterday (Sunday, January 16, 2022) at the Office of the Prime Minister Media Centre. The Prime Minister said: “The parish of Westmoreland has several communities captured by gangs and is currently in the grips of barbaric gangsters executing brutal terror on our people. These communities are in need of social and infrastructure intervention. Some of these communities are urban in nature and their profile fits and application of Zones of Special Operations.” The Prime Minister further stated: “I have spent time in these areas and I am aware of the conditions of terror that people endure, I feel their pain and I know that the vast majority of residents in those gang captured communities whether, in Central Kingston, August Town or Sav South are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who simply want to live in peace. However, their lives have been imperilled by criminals inflicting terror on the community.” The boundaries of the Sav South ZOSO are: North: Beginning at the northern arc of Seaton Crescent in the vicinity of the mangrove on the eastern side of the Goodens River, the boundary extends in the easterly direction along Seaton Crescent then north on to Murray Street, then south on to Great Georges Street to the intersection with Rose Street then north-easterly along Rose Street on to Segre Street to the intersection of Hudson Street. East: The boundary then extends southerly from the intersection of Serge…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the major investment of US$60 million dollars into the redevelopment of Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) is a significant boost for the productive sector and the economy. The investments will cover three major infrastructural development projects; the redevelopment of Berth 7, Ashenheim Road Warehouse Complex and Kingston Wharves’ Crane #8 as well as technology and human resources. Speaking at the official signing ceremony for the redevelopment of Berth 7 at Kingston Wharves yesterday (Wednesday, January 12, 2022), Prime Minister Holness said the KWL has done well in reinventing and reestablishing itself as one of the most competitive and successful mixed-used Ports that has created significant employment opportunities. Also, Prime Minister Holness underscored that these investments are a signal that the Jamaican economy is getting back on track. The Prime Minister said; “There is a sense that we are getting our debt under control; our fiscal house in order. There is certainty. There is confidence in the economic environment of the country, so more investors can now take a greater interest in us.” In the meantime, the Prime Minister noted that the growth in the economy is relatively low however there has been significant job creation due to investor interest. “At the phase of recovery and development that we are, objective number one is to get our people employed, to get in the industry and to get the investments in and then to build on that,” said Prime Minister Holness. Further, the Prime Minister said: “I am confident that the lead government agencies, PAJ, JSEZA, JCA, NWA will continue to work collaboratively with Kingston Wharves to show what Jamaica can achieve when public and private sector…