KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - ELIMINATING discretionary waivers altogether could return $4 billion in revenue to the Government. But the tax breaks, which are approved after applications are considered by the finance ministry, mostly go to charitable organisations, while public sector bodies and gov...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - Monday night's unprecedented joint broadcast by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Finance Minister Peter Phillips about the proposed restructuring of Jamaica's domestic debt - and other measures to reform the economy - is a welcome first step. But Mrs Simp...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer -THE Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA) is breathing a sign of relief in the face of planned fiscal cuts by the Government. The association said it has been assured that statutory incentives to its members will remain intact though the Government continues to grapp...

(Jamaica Gleaner) Standard & Poor’s has downgraded Jamaica’s sovereign credit rating from B- to selective default in response to the Government’s debt exchange programme. Selective default occurs when a borrower elects to delay the repayment of some of its financial obligations...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday said it would continue to work “assiduously” with the Jamaican authorities” on an economic programme that would help address the challenges caused by high debt and low growth. “Over the last three de...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Members of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) walked out of Parliament during the debate on a J$15.9-billion (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) tax package presented by government, less than 24 hours after it asked nationals to support stringent measures in or...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Two news stories we published this week have, for us, been particularly heart-warming and most encouraging. For they indicate to us that, amidst the challenges being faced by this country, and the attitude of many that we cannot do anything without an International Mone...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - The Center on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) says the recent decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) siding with Antigua and Barbuda against the United States in their online gambling dispute "presents a troubling scenario" for Washington. "If the United States claim ...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has confirmed that a second debt exchange programme will be implemented. In a joint national broadcast with the Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips this evening, Simpson Miller said the programme called a National Debt Exchange Offer ...

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Let us pull together, PM appeals to country FINANCIAL institutions and holders of domestic bonds will this morning be asked to take a haircut on interest for the second time in three years as the Government starts implementing measures critical to signing a funding arra...