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NEWS IN BRIEF
FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
Top News in the Print Media: The JIS, The Gleaner & The Observer
From the Overseas Department, Jamaica Information Service
Wednesday September 17, 2003
PM FIRM ON GROWTH
The Gleaner: Prime Minister P. J. Patterson is confident that current projections, for Jamaica to achieve three per cent growth in the 2003/2004 fiscal year, will be met.
He was speaking to representatives of the private sector at a joint consultation with the Government, held at Jamaica House yesterday.
The Prime Minister said that the projected growth could also be enhanced by “the fullest use of the country’s existing productive capacity.” He added that there are encouraging signs of interest by investors, particularly in areas such as tourism and bauxite.
SPOT MARKET WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE
CURRENCY___PURCHASES_____SALES
__US$_______59.1649_____59.4851
__CAN$______42.3720_____43.4161
__GB£_______92.7250_____94.6729
DEV COUNTRIES GAIN UPPER HAND
The Observer: Jamaica and other developing countries, despite failing to obtain prized objectives at the world trade talks, emerged form the negotiations as an influential bloc better able to shape future negotiations, according to top Foreign Ministry officials.
“I think for the first time in a long time, the developing countries of the world have been able to influence the agenda of international discussion,” said junior Foreign Minister, Delano Franklyn, one of the negotiators.
Poor countries spoke with the authority and unanimity of the non-aligned movement of the 1970s, he said.
“No agreement was better than a bad agreement,” said Gail Mathurin, the government’s undersecretary for trade.
KGN PORT EYED FOR ASIAN GOODS
The Gleaner: Kingston could be earning millions in US dollars by 2004, if plans to establish a major distribution hub for Asian goods for American markets are successfully implemented.
According to Robert Stephens, business development officer at the Port Authority, over 100 Asia-based manufacturing companies, who were among delegates at the 7th annual China International Fair (CIFIT), have expressed interest in using Kingston’s main port as a central distribution point.
“Jamaica is well placed for the distribution of goods from China, it is a major gateway between the United States ad Asia. It is ideal for manufacturers and distributors to get into the Americas hence the consideration of Kingston as a free zone hub,” said Mr. Stephens who was part of the Jamaican delegation to CIFIT.
PUSH FOR MORE REVENUE
The Gleaner: Government will have to look elsewhere for revenue to close the Budget deficit as the tax relief recommended by Parliament’s Tax Measures Committee is set to cost nearly $2 billion.
Dr. Omar Davies, Finance and Planning Minister, made the disclosure in the house yesterday, during his contribution to the debate on the recommendations of the committee.
The money was to be raised from General Consumption Tax (GCT) on several goods and services as part of Government’s efforts to raise nearly $14 billion in additional taxes for the 2003/2004 fiscal year.
But the committee recommended a roll back of the tax on several items after examination of the Budget presented by Dr. Davies in April and after receiving oral and written submissions from several individuals and organisations over several sittings.
CALL CENTRE EXECS TOUR JA
The Observer: Jamaica was included in a three-country itinerary that Avaya – a leading international customer call and contact centre solutions firm – organised to showcase three ‘hot spots’ for locating call centre operations in the Caribbean.
The tour on September 8 – 12 involved Avaya flying into Jamaica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, corporate executives, several from Fortune 500 companies, as well as senior consultants. The IT VIPs viewed existing call centres in each location and met with high-level government officials.
PORT AUTHORITY INVESTS US$24M
The Gleaner: The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has acquired four super cranes for US$24 million/J$1.4 billion as part of its expansion drive at the Kingston Container Terminal.
“The cranes have just been ordered,” confirmed Noel Hylton, executive chairman of the Port Authority. “They are four Super-post Panamax cranes at roughly US$24 million.”
The cranes have to be fitted for use at the terminal and as such will not land on Jamaican soil for another year.
JIS NEWS
Wednesday September 17, 2003
FUNDS FOR TOURISM MASTER PLAN
Cabinet has approved a billion dollar Master Plan for the development of the tourism sector over the next seven years, to drive economic growth while increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The key targets of the plan, which should bear fruit by 2010, will entail an increase in stop-over arrivals from 1.3 million to 2.2 million persons; cruise ship passengers from 908,000 to 2,000,200; visitor expenditure from US $1,333 to US$2,934; room stock moving from 22,640, to 35,000; employment from 75,000 to 130, 000; net foreign exchange contribution from 800 to 1,800 and increase gross domestic product contribution from eight per cent to 15 per cent.
Focus will be placed on diversifying the tourism product by moving away from the traditional sun, sand and sea offerings, to expanding attractions in heritage tourism, music and entertainment, retirement, health and sports.
AIT TO BE AMENDED
Cabinet has given drafting instructions for amendments to the Access to Information Act (AIT), which is to be implemented on a phased basis beginning October 1.
Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, made the announcement at Monday’s (September 15) post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
The Access to Information Act, which was passed in the Houses of Parliament last year, will be implemented next month in seven Government agencies that have indicated their readiness. The seven are the Ministries of Finance and Planning; Local Government, Community Development and Sport; Cabinet Office; National Works Agency; Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
KSAC URGED TO GET INVOLVED
Executive Director of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Franklin McDonald, has appealed to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to take its place on the Committee to Rehabilitate Kingston Harbour.
Mr. McDonald made the plea on Monday (Sept.15), at a seminar held for KSAC Councillors at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, while responding to concerns, about the state of the Kingston harbour, and the sewerage problems facing communities below Torrington Bridge in downtown Kingston.
Contact: Celia Lindsay
For further information about any of these news items,contact the Overseas Department at
[email protected]
. The Jamaica Information Service web page address is
www.jis.gov.jm
.Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 926-6715
FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
Top News in the Print Media: The JIS, The Gleaner & The Observer
From the Overseas Department, Jamaica Information Service
Wednesday September 17, 2003
PM FIRM ON GROWTH
The Gleaner: Prime Minister P. J. Patterson is confident that current projections, for Jamaica to achieve three per cent growth in the 2003/2004 fiscal year, will be met.
He was speaking to representatives of the private sector at a joint consultation with the Government, held at Jamaica House yesterday.
The Prime Minister said that the projected growth could also be enhanced by “the fullest use of the country’s existing productive capacity.” He added that there are encouraging signs of interest by investors, particularly in areas such as tourism and bauxite.
SPOT MARKET WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE
CURRENCY___PURCHASES_____SALES
__US$_______59.1649_____59.4851
__CAN$______42.3720_____43.4161
__GB£_______92.7250_____94.6729
DEV COUNTRIES GAIN UPPER HAND
The Observer: Jamaica and other developing countries, despite failing to obtain prized objectives at the world trade talks, emerged form the negotiations as an influential bloc better able to shape future negotiations, according to top Foreign Ministry officials.
“I think for the first time in a long time, the developing countries of the world have been able to influence the agenda of international discussion,” said junior Foreign Minister, Delano Franklyn, one of the negotiators.
Poor countries spoke with the authority and unanimity of the non-aligned movement of the 1970s, he said.
“No agreement was better than a bad agreement,” said Gail Mathurin, the government’s undersecretary for trade.
KGN PORT EYED FOR ASIAN GOODS
The Gleaner: Kingston could be earning millions in US dollars by 2004, if plans to establish a major distribution hub for Asian goods for American markets are successfully implemented.
According to Robert Stephens, business development officer at the Port Authority, over 100 Asia-based manufacturing companies, who were among delegates at the 7th annual China International Fair (CIFIT), have expressed interest in using Kingston’s main port as a central distribution point.
“Jamaica is well placed for the distribution of goods from China, it is a major gateway between the United States ad Asia. It is ideal for manufacturers and distributors to get into the Americas hence the consideration of Kingston as a free zone hub,” said Mr. Stephens who was part of the Jamaican delegation to CIFIT.
PUSH FOR MORE REVENUE
The Gleaner: Government will have to look elsewhere for revenue to close the Budget deficit as the tax relief recommended by Parliament’s Tax Measures Committee is set to cost nearly $2 billion.
Dr. Omar Davies, Finance and Planning Minister, made the disclosure in the house yesterday, during his contribution to the debate on the recommendations of the committee.
The money was to be raised from General Consumption Tax (GCT) on several goods and services as part of Government’s efforts to raise nearly $14 billion in additional taxes for the 2003/2004 fiscal year.
But the committee recommended a roll back of the tax on several items after examination of the Budget presented by Dr. Davies in April and after receiving oral and written submissions from several individuals and organisations over several sittings.
CALL CENTRE EXECS TOUR JA
The Observer: Jamaica was included in a three-country itinerary that Avaya – a leading international customer call and contact centre solutions firm – organised to showcase three ‘hot spots’ for locating call centre operations in the Caribbean.
The tour on September 8 – 12 involved Avaya flying into Jamaica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, corporate executives, several from Fortune 500 companies, as well as senior consultants. The IT VIPs viewed existing call centres in each location and met with high-level government officials.
PORT AUTHORITY INVESTS US$24M
The Gleaner: The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has acquired four super cranes for US$24 million/J$1.4 billion as part of its expansion drive at the Kingston Container Terminal.
“The cranes have just been ordered,” confirmed Noel Hylton, executive chairman of the Port Authority. “They are four Super-post Panamax cranes at roughly US$24 million.”
The cranes have to be fitted for use at the terminal and as such will not land on Jamaican soil for another year.
JIS NEWS
Wednesday September 17, 2003
FUNDS FOR TOURISM MASTER PLAN
Cabinet has approved a billion dollar Master Plan for the development of the tourism sector over the next seven years, to drive economic growth while increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The key targets of the plan, which should bear fruit by 2010, will entail an increase in stop-over arrivals from 1.3 million to 2.2 million persons; cruise ship passengers from 908,000 to 2,000,200; visitor expenditure from US $1,333 to US$2,934; room stock moving from 22,640, to 35,000; employment from 75,000 to 130, 000; net foreign exchange contribution from 800 to 1,800 and increase gross domestic product contribution from eight per cent to 15 per cent.
Focus will be placed on diversifying the tourism product by moving away from the traditional sun, sand and sea offerings, to expanding attractions in heritage tourism, music and entertainment, retirement, health and sports.
AIT TO BE AMENDED
Cabinet has given drafting instructions for amendments to the Access to Information Act (AIT), which is to be implemented on a phased basis beginning October 1.
Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, made the announcement at Monday’s (September 15) post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
The Access to Information Act, which was passed in the Houses of Parliament last year, will be implemented next month in seven Government agencies that have indicated their readiness. The seven are the Ministries of Finance and Planning; Local Government, Community Development and Sport; Cabinet Office; National Works Agency; Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
KSAC URGED TO GET INVOLVED
Executive Director of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Franklin McDonald, has appealed to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to take its place on the Committee to Rehabilitate Kingston Harbour.
Mr. McDonald made the plea on Monday (Sept.15), at a seminar held for KSAC Councillors at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, while responding to concerns, about the state of the Kingston harbour, and the sewerage problems facing communities below Torrington Bridge in downtown Kingston.
Contact: Celia Lindsay
For further information about any of these news items,contact the Overseas Department at
[email protected]
. The Jamaica Information Service web page address is
www.jis.gov.jm
.Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 926-6715