Category: Top stories: Local

New taxes today

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Jamaica Gleaner: “New taxes today”

Several new tax measures take effect today as the Government
dips deeper into the pockets of most Jamaicans in an effort to finance its bills.


Jamaica Observer: “Mixed fortunes for Caribbean economies in 2009, says new report”

THE Caribbean Economic Performance Report 2009, compiled by the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance, recently projected the member states to end this year with mixed fortunes, as some will see growth while others will be in deficit.


Jamaica Observer: “The Government is the Grim Reaper of the professional classes”

THE decision taken last week to revise tax measures announced in Parliament five days previously sees the Government for all intents and purposes placing the burden of closing the deficit gap squarely on the shoulders of the middle and professional classes.


Jamaica Observer: “Trinidad cannot afford to give Ja financial assistance-Bharath”

Trinidad&Tobago’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning will provoke anger from the population should he lend assistance to Jamaica which is challenged by serious financial difficulties, says Opposition MP Vasant Bharath.

Taxed to death – From cradle to grave, Jamaicans hit hard by new tariffs

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Jamaica Gleaner: “Taxed to death – From cradle to grave, Jamaicans hit hard by new tariffs”

FINANCE MINISTER Audley Shaw yesterday announced the largest tax package of the calendar year as the Government moved to plug a $17.9-billion hole in the Budget. The package, the third announced by Shaw this fiscal year, is intended to raise $21.8 billion annualised through the medium term.


Jamaica Observer: “Bosses lash Gov’t for tax package”

SOME leading corporate bosses have criticised the Government for the $21.8-billion annualised tax package it presented in Parliament yesterday.


Jamaica Gleaner: “BOJ cuts interest rates again”

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has announced cuts in the interest rates on open market instruments for the fourth time this year. Open market instruments are investment options sold to by the Government over different period on which an interest is paid upon maturity.


Jamaica Gleaner: “No gov’t wage increase until 2012”

PUBLIC-SECTOR workers will have to wait until 2012 before they can receive any salary increase. Prime Minister Bruce Golding told Parliament yesterday that the decision to extend the freeze on public-sector wages was a result of the Government’s fiscal pro-gramme with the International Monetary Fund.


Jamaica Gleaner: ‘Tax measures cruel’

THE PARLIAMENTARY Opposition has called on the Government to reverse the tax package announced in Gordon House yesterday, calling the measures “oppressive, cruel and unjust”.


Jamaica Observer: “Jamaica’s opportunity”

AT the time of writing this column, I, like every other Jamaican, am waiting to see what tax package the government delivers and the final outcome of the IMF negotiations. Both these issues have been on the tongues of everyone except the dead in Jamaica.

‘We need a plan’ – Sagicor boss says Jamaica’s ‘corner shop’ economy holding nation back

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Jamaica Gleaner: ‘We need a plan’ – Sagicor boss says Jamaica’s ‘corner shop’ economy holding nation back

Jamaica is lagging behind because it has no plans to solve its economic and social problems and create an environment in which the country’s potential can be realised, says the head of the island’s largest life insurance company.

Prime Minister outlines approach to tackle interest rates

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Jamaica Gleaner: “Prime Minister outlines approach to tackle interest rates”

JLP leader and Prime Minister Bruce Golding has outlined a four-pronged approach to tackle the financial problems now affecting the country. The approach involves policy measures to support fiscal and debt-management programmes as part of the requirements for an International Monetary Fund agreement.


Jamaica Gleaner: ” ‘We will pay’ – Debt before dishonour, Golding promises”

Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday gave the assurance that his administration would not renege on its debt-paying obligations, despite the snail’s-pace crawl to a reinstated borrowing arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).