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标签： Jamaica

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  • NCB urges Jamaican firms to rethink tax payments to ease cash flow strain

    NCB urges Jamaican firms to rethink tax payments to ease cash flow strain

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Financial experts are advocating for Jamaican businesses to implement systematic tax planning strategies to avoid operational disruptions caused by lump-sum tax payments. National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) has highlighted the widespread practice among enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, of depleting cash reserves to meet tax obligations, thereby constraining their operational capabilities and growth potential.

    During a recently held educational seminar titled ‘Master Tax Season and Get Rewarded,’ banking executives emphasized the critical need for strategic financial planning. Perrin Gayle, NCB’s Executive Vice-President of Retail Banking, articulated the institution’s objective: ‘We aim to assist businesses in fulfilling their tax responsibilities while simultaneously preserving working capital and fostering sustainable expansion.’

    The event garnered substantial participation with over 100 physical attendees and 400 virtual participants, focusing on three key areas: optimized tax management, enhanced financial record-keeping practices, and increased adoption of digital banking solutions. Business proprietors reported gaining valuable insights into payment alternatives that minimize immediate cash flow impact.

    Noman Walker, Chairman of Portmore Mall, expressed enthusiasm about the discovered flexibility: ‘The repayment options presented are genuinely compelling. I can now utilize banking products to settle taxes without compromising my operational liquidity.’

    Despite progress in digital banking adoption, NCB officials revealed significant disparities between corporate clients and SMEs. While over 90% of corporate entities actively use digital platforms, only approximately 50% of small and medium enterprises have embraced these tools. Danielle Cameron Duncan, Acting Senior Vice-President of Payments and Enterprise Operations, emphasized the advantages of digital adoption: ‘Businesses achieving financial visibility through digital tools gain superior command over their cash flow management.’

    Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) representatives contributed to the discourse, noting that tax compliance ultimately supports business growth while identifying recurring challenges among smaller operators. These include inadequate financial documentation, improper expense categorization, and commingling of personal and business finances. Recommendations included maintaining separate financial accounts for business and personal use, implementing digital payment infrastructure, and utilizing online banking monitoring systems.

    The seminar culminated in a panel discussion featuring experts from NCB, Mastercard, and TAJ, addressing nuanced topics including filing requirements for inactive businesses and eligibility criteria for tax credit programs. NCB has made the complete seminar recording available through its official YouTube channel for continued access.

  • Xodus Carnival and Chas E Ramson celebrate 5 years of partnership

    Xodus Carnival and Chas E Ramson celebrate 5 years of partnership

    A conventional five-year sponsorship arrangement between Xodus Carnival and consumer goods distributor Chas E Ramson has evolved into a sophisticated strategic alliance built upon mutual dedication to excellence, innovation, and consumer experience enhancement. This partnership represents a paradigm shift in how brands engage with consumers through immersive experiences rather than traditional advertising channels.

    Chas E Ramson celebrates its fifth consecutive year as both sponsor and strategic partner to Xodus Carnival, demonstrating the company’s sustained commitment to premium experiential marketing and authentic consumer connectivity. The collaboration has proven particularly valuable for reaching consumers in dynamic, high-energy environments where they are most receptive to brand interactions.

    Kathryn Silvera, Director of Sales and Marketing at Chas E Ramson Limited, emphasized the strategic value: “This partnership positions us precisely where our consumers congregate—active, social settings where they seek convenient, nutritious options. Through Xodus Wet, our workout series, and Road March events, we achieve direct engagement with our target demographic in authentic environments.”

    Jamaica’s Carnival continues to demonstrate substantial economic significance, with projections indicating a J$165 billion economic impact for 2025. For Chas E Ramson, participation transcends conventional brand visibility, offering unprecedented opportunities for meaningful consumer connection within a single, vibrant marketplace.

    Pierre Goubault, CEO of Xodus Carnival, expressed satisfaction with the enduring partnership: “Chas E Ramson’s collaboration has genuinely elevated the Xodus experience throughout our years together. Their capacity to seamlessly integrate quality products into our events enhances the overall journey for participants, adding both convenience and enjoyment at every stage.”

    The partnership has generated remarkable results through experiential marketing strategies that prioritize direct consumer interaction over traditional advertising. This approach has fostered significant brand loyalty and created lasting consumer impressions through hands-on product experiences.

    The company’s product portfolio demonstrates natural synergy with carnival experiences, emphasizing premium quality and exceptional service. This year’s participants will encounter diverse brands including Foska oats, Elle & Vire yogurts, Hungry Jack pancake and waffle mixes, and Kisko Freezies—all strategically integrated to enhance the Carnival journey through energizing breakfast options, convenient snacks, and refreshing treats that maintain participant engagement throughout events.

  • UK teenagers to trial social media bans, digital curfews

    UK teenagers to trial social media bans, digital curfews

    LONDON, United Kingdom — The British government has initiated a groundbreaking pilot program involving hundreds of adolescents to examine the effects of social media restrictions on youth wellbeing. Announced Wednesday by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the study will monitor 300 participants aged 13-17 over a six-week period to assess how varying levels of digital limitation impact educational performance, sleep quality, and family dynamics.

    The experimental design divides participants into four distinct cohorts: one group will undergo complete social media application blackouts; another will face overnight access prohibitions; a third will be subject to stringent one-hour daily caps on major platforms including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. These experimental groups will be contrasted against a control population maintaining unrestricted access throughout the trial duration.

    This research initiative coincides with ongoing governmental consultations regarding potential Australia-style blanket bans for users under 16. Technology Minister Liz Kendall emphasized the administration’s commitment to “giving young people the childhood they deserve,” noting that evidence gathered from these trials will inform future policy decisions based on tangible family experiences.

    Australia pioneered under-16 social media prohibitions in December 2023, with France advancing similar legislation for under-15s in January. The UK consultation period remains open until May 26, having recently seen parliamentary rejection of House of Lords proposals for immediate under-16 bans pending review outcomes.

    The debate has drawn support from public figures like actor Hugh Grant, who advocates for governmental intervention against platform harms exceeding parental control capacities. Conversely, technology experts caution that outright bans may prove technologically circumventable, advocating instead for enhanced platform safety measures. Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintains an open stance regarding potential future restrictions.

  • Churches to receive hurricane grants in April

    Churches to receive hurricane grants in April

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaican government has unveiled a substantial financial assistance program for religious institutions devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October. Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie confirmed that 419 churches will receive restoration grants in April through the government’s Community Church Clean-Up and Restoration Initiative.

    The announcement came during McKenzie’s keynote address at the Kingston and St Andrew Governance Conference, held Wednesday at the Jamaica Conference Centre. The minister revealed that approximately 6,000 churches across Jamaica suffered damage during the hurricane’s passage, prompting extensive damage assessments through the Social Development Commission (SDC).

    The $75 million initiative forms a critical component of the broader post-Hurricane Melissa National Clean-Up Programme. Assessment teams evaluated religious institutions across the most severely affected parishes with support from municipal corporations and community organizations. The SDC received applications from churches in St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and Hanover, with the highest concentration from St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St James.

    Minister McKenzie specified that the formal handover of checks will occur in St Elizabeth, which contains the largest number of impacted churches. The grants target institutions that completed the official assessment, evaluation, and authorization process following the October disaster.

    The governance conference, themed ‘Civil Society Organisations (CSO) on a Mission: Reset the Vibe…Build Our Future…Reignite the Fire’, provided the platform for this significant recovery announcement, highlighting the government’s commitment to community infrastructure restoration.

  • US expands visa bond requirement to 12 more countries

    US expands visa bond requirement to 12 more countries

    The United States has significantly expanded its controversial visa bond requirement program, adding 12 additional countries to a policy that mandates non-immigrant visa applicants to pay refundable bonds reaching up to $15,000. This expansion brings the total number of affected countries to 50, with the majority located in Africa, raising concerns about disproportionate targeting of lower-income applicants.

    The State Department initiative, implemented as part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration restrictions since his return to office in January 2025, now includes Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia. The expanded regulations take effect April 2, with officials indicating potential further additions to the list.

    Under the program, applicants for short-term business and tourist visas may be required to pay bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 based on determinations made during consular interviews. Notably, payment does not guarantee visa approval, though funds are refunded if applications are denied or if travelers comply with all visa conditions and depart promptly.

    Administration officials defend the bond system as an effective mechanism to reduce visa overstays, citing data showing 97% of approximately 1,000 bond-paying visitors have departed according to their visa terms. However, critics argue the substantial financial requirements create unfair barriers for applicants from developing nations and represent part of a broader pattern of immigration restrictions.

    The bond program operates alongside other stringent measures including suspended visa processing for multiple countries, increased deportations, tightened asylum regulations, and historically reduced refugee admissions. These collective policies have generated international criticism and may impact global mobility, including participation in upcoming major events such as the World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.

  • #Champs2026: KC’s Noble wins first gold of Champs 2026, taking Class 2 long jump

    #Champs2026: KC’s Noble wins first gold of Champs 2026, taking Class 2 long jump

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships witnessed its first gold medal victory on Wednesday as Kingston College’s Odane Noble delivered a spectacular performance in the Class 2 boys long jump event. Noble secured top honors with an impressive leap of 7.18 meters (0.5m/s) on the second day of competition at the national stadium.

    The young athlete demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the event, achieving three jumps exceeding the 7.00-meter mark. Among his four legal attempts, Noble recorded distances of 7.07m and 7.09m, showcasing his technical prowess and competitive dominance.

    The silver medal position was claimed by Calabar High’s Talshawn Edwards, who posted a strong jump of 7.02m (1.7m/s). The bronze medal decision required a tie-breaker procedure after St Jago High’s Winaldo Faulknor and Cornwall College’s Zhi-Hew Whitter both recorded identical best jumps of 6.79m (1.5m/s).

    Faulknor ultimately secured third place based on his superior second-best jump of 6.77m (0.8m/s), which exceeded Whitter’s secondary effort of 6.72m (0.6m/s) from the opening round. The intense competition highlighted the exceptional talent emerging within Jamaica’s high school athletics program.

  • Works Minister Morgan in Peru for key infrastructure discussions and technical exchange

    Works Minister Morgan in Peru for key infrastructure discussions and technical exchange

    Jamaican Minister Robert Nesta Morgan is spearheading a high-level governmental delegation at the inaugural LATAC-UK Infrastructure Forum in Lima, Peru, from March 23-26, 2026. This strategic gathering unites senior officials from Latin American and Caribbean nations with key representatives from the United Kingdom, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank. The central focus revolves around dissecting optimal methodologies in infrastructure strategy, governance frameworks, financial models, and project implementation.

    The Jamaican delegation’s agenda is meticulously crafted to align with the nation’s pressing infrastructure priorities. It features high-level consultations with Peru’s National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN) and former leaders of the country’s reconstruction authority. The itinerary also incorporates specialized technical sessions dedicated to governance structures, strategic planning, and enhancing systemic resilience against natural disasters.

    Minister Morgan emphasized the practical objectives behind this diplomatic mission, stating the purpose extends beyond theoretical discussion to actionable learning. Jamaica is actively evaluating methods to fortify its infrastructure delivery mechanisms, enhance inter-governmental coordination, and develop systems that are simultaneously efficient, resilient, and tailored to national requirements. Peru’s documented expertise in post-disaster recovery and resilient reconstruction offers a particularly valuable case study for Jamaica as it contemplates strengthening its own institutional response capabilities.

    The delegation’s schedule includes an on-site inspection of resilient infrastructure projects, such as flood protection engineering works, culminating in a conclusive workshop to synthesize reconstruction insights and formulate actionable next steps for Jamaica. This engagement underscores Jamaica’s dedicated approach to adapting credible international models to forge context-specific solutions for its infrastructure challenges.

  • #Champs2026: Jamaica College’s Salmon on course to retain Boys Class 1 discus title

    #Champs2026: Jamaica College’s Salmon on course to retain Boys Class 1 discus title

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—Reigning champion Joseph Salmon from Jamaica College positioned himself as the athlete to beat in the Class 1 boys discus throw, delivering a commanding performance on Wednesday during the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. Salmon launched the discus 57.38 meters on his first attempt, instantly securing his place in the final and sending a clear message of his intent to retain his title.

    The competition at the national stadium saw several standout performers who matched Salmon’s efficiency. Kamari Kennedy of Calabar High also achieved automatic qualification with a single powerful throw of 55.41m, surpassing the required 55.00m mark. They will be joined by last year’s bronze medalist, Rajeem Streete of Munro College, who advanced with a strong performance.

    The final field was rounded out by a group of talented throwers. De-Andre Henry (Calabar High) secured his spot with a throw of 53.48m, followed closely by Munro College’s Javontae Smith at 53.43m. Kingston College will be represented by two athletes in the final, with Nkosana Johnson (53.18m) and Daijon Budhai (53.05m) both earning their places through consistent performances. The stage is now set for a highly competitive final showdown.

  • ‘Can’t be done!’

    ‘Can’t be done!’

    Jamaica’s Finance Minister Fayval Williams has delivered a forceful rebuttal to alternative revenue measures proposed by the parliamentary Opposition, declaring them fundamentally unworkable during her concluding remarks in the House of Representatives’ 2026/27 Budget Debate.

    Williams systematically dismantled proposals advanced by Opposition Finance Spokesman Julian Robinson and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, characterizing their suggestions as fiscally irresponsible and detached from practical implementation timelines. The Minister’s response came as she reinforced the economic framework previously outlined by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, emphasizing that the government’s approach prioritizes stability and measured growth over what she termed ‘political gambles’.

    Addressing Robinson’s suggestion to generate $8.6 billion through e-invoicing systems, Williams dismissed the proposal as unrealistic within the upcoming fiscal years. ‘There are no e-invoicing revenues that can be realistically expected in 2026/27—nor in the subsequent fiscal year—to replace $8.6 billion of revenue measures,’ Williams stated, noting that global experts recognize such systems require years to materialize properly.

    The Minister similarly rejected the concept of tapping ‘digital nomads’ as an immediate revenue solution, acknowledging the proposal’s conceptual merit but highlighting its lack of developed policy architecture, implementation details, and fiscal realism necessary for serious budget planning.

    Williams expressed particular alarm at Robinson’s suggestion to extract $1 billion from the Bank of Jamaica, reminding Parliament that legal amendments to the BOJ Act established strict guardrails around resource transfers to maintain central bank independence and inflation targeting regimes. ‘It is not advisable that a minister of finance calls the Bank of Jamaica and takes an additional $1 billion,’ she cautioned, questioning where such precedent might lead.

    Regarding Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s identification of $77 billion in potential compliance revenues, Williams pointed to apparent internal contradictions within Opposition proposals. ‘If the Opposition leader identified $77 billion of new revenues from compliance, why would the Opposition spokesman on finance need to borrow any money at all?’ she questioned, suggesting poor coordination between Opposition figures.

    Williams concluded that replacing recurring revenue streams with debt would create perpetual borrowing cycles, ultimately undermining Jamaica’s hard-won fiscal stability and reputation for prudent economic management.

  • Attorney opposes application for special measures for witnesses in cops’ murder trial

    Attorney opposes application for special measures for witnesses in cops’ murder trial

    In a significant development at the Home Circuit Court in Jamaica, defense attorney Hugh Wildman mounted a vigorous opposition against a prosecution motion seeking special testimony arrangements in the murder trial of six police officers. The contentious hearing centered on prosecutor Kathy-Ann Pyke’s application to permit three overseas witnesses to provide evidence via video link.

    Wildman, representing four of the accused officers, systematically dismantled the prosecution’s request, asserting it lacked proper legal foundation. He emphasized that the application relied exclusively on a statement from an Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) officer—who is himself a witness in the case—rather than the required affidavit evidence directly from the unavailable witnesses. This approach, Wildman argued, constituted inadmissible hearsay evidence that failed to meet judicial standards.

    The defense counsel bolstered his position with cited Canadian case law, maintaining that all procedural applications must be substantiated by sworn affidavits from the actual individuals unable to testify in person. He characterized the prosecution’s submission as improperly presented before the court.

    Presiding Justice Sophia Carr-Jones has deferred ruling on the video testimony matter until Friday, allowing for judicial consideration of the competing arguments.

    Concurrent with these legal arguments, the seven-member jury received an approximately month-long recess until April 13. Trial proceedings continue during their absence to address administrative matters and special applications that don’t require jury participation.

    The defendants—Sergeant Simroy Mott, Corporal Donovan Fullerton, and Constables Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, Orandy Rose, and Richard Lynch—face murder charges related to the January 12, 2013 shooting deaths of Matthew Lee, Ucliffe Dyer, and Mark Allen. The fatalities occurred during an alleged armed confrontation with police on Acadia Drive in Barbican, St. Andrew. Corporal Fullerton additionally faces charges of providing false statements to INDECOM during the investigation.