News
Editorial | Building productivity
1+ hour, 50+ min ago (505+ words) That the Government is developing a policy to address Jamaica's long-standing crisis of low productivity is, on its face, good news. But the administration is reminded this problem won't be solved solely by, or an excessive focus on, the sociological…...
Government to bolster support for small businesses
1+ week, 4+ day ago (486+ words) Following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa and the debilitating effects on the small-business sector, the Government has indicated that it will be seeking to strengthen support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Fayval Williams, minister of finance and…...
China's exports surge despite waning trade with the US
1+ week, 4+ day ago (541+ words) The export figures released by China's customs agency on Tuesday were much better than economists had forecast. They far exceeded the 6.6% annual pace of growth recorded in December. Shipments to the US fell 11% in January and February, narrowing from a…...
Editorial | Minister Williams and Independent Fiscal Commission
2+ week, 2+ hour ago (557+ words) The law establishing the Independent Fiscal Commission (IFC) sets out specific rules for the publication of reviews of the government's fiscal strategies and outcomes. It is silent on if, or how, the finance minister should respond. While Commissioner Williams, on…...
PIOJ warns of recession as economy contracts
2+ week, 4+ day ago (1013+ words) Jamaica's economy shrank sharply at the end of last year, and the country now faces what the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) calls a "negative" short-term outlook'with the real risk of a recession if the slide continues into the current…...
BOJ cuts policy rate to 5.50% as inflation outlook improves
3+ week, 5+ day ago (85+ words) The Bank of Jamaica's (BOJ) has reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent per annum, effective February 24, citing a more favourable inflation outlook than previously anticipated. The policy rate is the interest rate the BOJ offers to…...
Our tariff-era dollar, your problem
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (739+ words) Our tariff-era dollar, your problem'Jamaica Gleaner Our tariff-era dollar, your problem BEIJING: In 2025, the dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of major currencies, fell by roughly 9.4%. Over the same period, the United States' average effective tariff…...
Ja’s unemployment rate edged down to 3.3% ahead of hurricane
2+ mon, 4+ day ago (498+ words) Jamaica's unemployment rate fell to 3.3 per cent in October, though the labour market showed signs of softness as fewer people sought work and youth employment declined ahead of Hurricane Melissa's strike later that month, according to the Statistical Institute of…...
STATIN reports 1.3 per cent inflation rate for December 2025
2+ mon, 5+ day ago (274+ words) The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has reported that the inflation rate for December 2025 was 1.3 per cent, compared to November 2025. Director General, Leesha Delatie-Budair, shared the details during a press briefing at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston on Thursday....
Economy grew 5.1 per cent for July to September quarter in 2025
2+ mon, 6+ day ago (329+ words) The Jamaican economy grew by 5.1 per cent in the July to September quarter of 2025, compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Providing details during a press briefing at the AC Hotel in St Andrew on January 15, Director General, Statistical Institute of…...