News
IMF to cut global growth forecast due to Mideast war - Jamaica Observer
3+ day, 11+ hour ago (647+ words) WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)The International Monetary Fund will lower global growth forecasts due to the Middle East war, its chief said Thursday, warning of the conflict's "scarring effects" despite a fragile ceasefire. "Even in a best case, there will…...
Shallow responds to criticism of CWI annual report
1+ week, 1+ day ago (373+ words) PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) " Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Kishore Shallow has dismissed claims by chartered accountant Mariano Browne that its recently released annual report is a "PR document. Browne, an economist and chief executive officer (CEO) at The University…...
Jamaica economy contracts 7. 1 per cent in fourth quarter after hurricane impact
1+ week, 3+ day ago (315+ words) Jamaica's economy contracted 7. 1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, official data showed on Monday, as Hurricane Melissa disrupted activity across key sectors. The out-turn, reported by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin), reflected declines in both goods-producing and services…...
Gov't going all-out for manufacturing sector, says Seiveright
1+ week, 6+ day ago (666+ words) STATE minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright has declared the Government's commitment to the local manufacturing sector, particularly at this time when it is being buffeted by increasing oil prices and other challenges. Speaking at…...
Gov't open to bigger disaster insurance push
2+ week, 22+ hour ago (624+ words) FINANCE Minister Fayval Williams says she is prepared to go to Parliament to argue for a much larger disaster insurance and contingency framework, as pressure grows for Jamaica to spend more upfront to protect itself from shocks like Hurricane Melissa....
Marathon Insurance CEO calls for mandatory insurance standards in Special Economic Zones
2+ week, 2+ day ago (534+ words) KINGSTON, Jamaica " President and CEO of Marathon Insurance Brokers Limited Levar Smith, is calling for major policy reforms to strengthen resilience within Jamaica's Special Economic Zones (SEZs) warning that the country's insurance gap leaves billions of dollars in disaster losses…...
Gayle says deliberate steps required to increase productivity in Jamaica
2+ week, 2+ day ago (266+ words) KINGSTON, Jamaica" " Government Senator Kavan Gayle says partnership and a balanced consultative approach are required to achieve the much needed improvement in productivity levels in Jamaica. Gayle spoke to the issue during his contribution to debate in the Senate on…...
US stocks open lower with no Iran peace breakthrough in sight - Jamaica Observer
2+ week, 3+ day ago (280+ words) NEW YORK, United States (AFP) " Wall Street stocks opened lower on Thursday as oil spiked, with investors losing faith in the immediate prospects for peace in the US-Israel war on Iran. International benchmark Brent North Sea crude jumped 4. 4 percent to…...
Salary gains, fiscal pain
3+ week, 1+ day ago (525+ words) JAMAICA'S wage reform has delivered higher pay for public servants but Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has warned that the growing wage bill is threatening to strain the country's fiscal stability, forcing a pivot towards productivity-linked earnings. Speaking during his…...
Monetary policy, private sector credit and the productive sector - Jamaica Observer
3+ week, 5+ day ago (1157+ words) PRIOR to the central bank's latest reduction in the policy rate from 5. 75 per cent to 5. 50 per cent, the Jamaica Observer highlighted a definitive trend from BOJ data that "show non-performing loans. .. Monetary policy, private sector credit and the productive sector…...