In five years the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Programme has impacted more than 1,600 of the best youth basketball players in the Caribbean.

Over the last five years, Digicel and the NBA have partnered to develop youth basketball across the region. The Digicel NBA Jumpstart Programme provides young boys and girls with the chance to be trained by NBA players, coaches and staff, all with a view to raising the quality of the sport in the Caribbean.

“When we first started the programme in 2015, the thought was that we would provide some enthusiastic young basketballers the opportunity to go from grassroots to greatness in the sport. With the NBA’s support, over the years this programme has far exceeded our expectations! We’ve hosted camps in 13 countries across the Caribbean, provided training for 326 coaches who have aspirations of coaching at the college/pro level and impacted approximately 1,660 boys and girls aged 12 to 17, exposing them to a level of training they would likely never have otherwise received,” said Tari Lovell, Sponsorship Manager at Digicel Group.

So far, 32 Digicel NBA Jumpstart alumni have been identified as college prospects for potential athletic scholarships, and of these 32 players, 11 are currently playing high school basketball in the United States, following their participation in a Digicel NBA Jumpstart National Camp. One young player in particular, Kofi Cockburn, is the first major NBA prospect to go through the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Programme in Jamaica. Kofi will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2020.

The current programme structure has four phases, beginning with local selection camps where the basketball federation in each participating country picks the top 72 boys and girls; after that, each country hosts a team from the NBA to conduct the Digicel NBA National Camps, from which the top talent progresses to attend the Jumpstart Elite Camp. At the Elite Camp, the players train and compete to earn a spot among the fortunate 14 who move on to the final phase, the NBA Experience in the New York.

For the NBA Experience, the final 14 travel to the United States where they get to play 5v5 games with their US peers, explore the city and go sightseeing, tour the NBA headquarters, as well as attend an NBA game where they might meet some of their sporting heroes.

“The development of the Digicel NBA Jumpstart platform has been inspiring to witness firsthand. We are proud to be aligned with an amazing partner in Digicel to deliver first-class basketball programming to the Caribbean and are truly excited to see how it continues to evolve with time,” said Idia Ogala, Asscociate Marketing Manager, Global Partnerships (Latin America).

In addition to the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Programme, Digicel and the NBA have worked together since 2015 to deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to more than 25 Caribbean territories through SportsMax and the SportsMax app – making Digicel the Official Communications Partner of the NBA in the region.

The 2019-20 NBA season started on Oct. 22, and basketball fans can catch all the action, on-the-go, via the SportsMax app.

 

 

-Youth to Attend NBA Games, Tour NBA Facilities, and Participate in Basketball Training and Life Skills Sessions as Part of NBA Experience-

Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that the top 14 boys and girls from the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago from July 20-21, will participate in the Digicel NBA Jumpstart’s NBA Experience in New York from Oct. 30 – Nov. 4.

As part of the experience, participants will attend two NBA games – the Brooklyn Nets vs. the Houston Rockets on Nov. 1 at Barclays Center and the New York Knicks vs. the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden – tour NBA facilities, visit local New York City landmarks, and participate in basketball training and life skills sessions.

The young players were selected by former NBA player Caron Butler, Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Nate Mitchell, Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Stephen Silas and Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) head coach Derrick Alston following the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp this summer. The camp brought together 34 of the top U17 basketball players in the region, the majority of whom were invited following their performance at the Digicel NBA Jumpstart clinics that were held in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados earlier this year.

“There are so many talented boys and girls in the Caribbean who don’t often get the opportunity to be seen or trained by internationally recognised experts in the field. Our own local coaches across the region do amazing things with these kids and this is further reinforced by programmes like Digicel NBA Jumpstart. This partnership offers players and coaches exposure to NBA standard training, while also providing them with inspiration to grow the game across the region,” said Digicel Group Sponsorship Manager, Tari Lovell.  “In the six to seven short months since the initial camp, these players have shown immense progress, earning them each the coveted spot for the Digicel NBA Jumpstart NBA Experience and we want to congratulate them for this achievement.”

“We are proud to provide young players from the Caribbean with the unique opportunity to visit New York City to train with NBA coaches, attend NBA games and experience the local culture,” said NBA Sr. Vice President, Latin America, Arnon de Mello.  “In its fifth year, Digicel NBA Jumpstart has been a key component of our commitment to growing the game in the Caribbean and all of Latin America.”

In addition to this programme, Digicel and the NBA have worked together since 2015 to deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to more than 25 Caribbean territories through SportsMax and the SportsMax app – making Digicel the Official Communications Partner of the NBA in the region.

The 2019-20 NBA season started Oct. 22, and basketball fans can catch all the action, on-the-go, via the SportsMax app.

The Economic Programme Oversight Committee’s (EPOC) role in monitoring Jamaica’s economic reform programme will continue beyond the end of the Precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (PSBA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in November 2019.

This was announced by Hon Dr Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service at a press conference today, 22nd August.

He noted that the Committee will have a broader base to include Civil Society members, who this morning signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Jamaica for the extension of its monitoring role.

The Minister has appointed the current Co-Chair of EPOC, Keith Duncan, to be Chairman of the expanded Committee.

The Civil Society parties that were signatory to the agreement were:  Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, MSME Alliance, and Main Domestic Creditors comprising JMMB, Sagicor Jamaica, NCB and BNS.

Dr Clarke stated, “Today we are empowering EPOC to continue in its monitoring role until (the Government’s) policy commitments are operationalized.”

He referred to the agreement made with the IMF to maintain its office in Jamaica for another two years after the end of the PSBA, and stated: “These decisions are a demonstration of our commitment to maintaining a credible and sustainable macro-economic path, including a fiscal trajectory that is consistent with our fiscal responsibility law, long into the future that provides the foundation of economic opportunity for the current and future generations.”

Chairman Keith Duncan stated:  “We believe that it is extremely important that civil society has a voice in Jamaica’s economic programme; that we are plugged in, that we understand where we are in this programme, what our targets are, where we are going as a country as we move towards economic independence.”

He continued, “We’ve already seen the fruits of fiscal responsibility in relation to our ability to invest in capital expenditure, in infrastructure and this year, in national security apparatus.”

As Jamaica moves towards significantly reducing its debt by 2025/26, Duncan noted: “We can only imagine the kind of resources that would be freed up for wider Jamaica, for the investment in our people.”

-END-

Summer 2019 is proving to be exceptionally hot, but relief has come to students at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. The Centre has received support from IGT Jamaica in the form of an air conditioning unit.

The Spanish Town location is one of four Women’s Centres across the island benefiting from an After School Advantage (ASA) Centre sponsored by IGT (formerly GTECH). The ASA Programme, which is IGT’s flagship philanthropic initiative, aims to provide easier daily access to information technology for children who would not otherwise be able to step onto the “digital highway.” The ASA Programme provides educational institutions, including non-profit organizations and schools, with computer resource centres tailored to provide access to students during the after-school hours. To date, IGT has established fourteen After School Advantage Centres in Jamaica.

Sheron Williams, Acting Centre Manager of the Spanish Town Centre, expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the senior management team of the WCJF and the local staff. “It is with distinct pleasure, unmatched joy, deep respect and overwhelming appreciation that I say thanks to IGT Jamaica for the outstanding contribution of an air conditioning unit for the computer lab,” she said.

“Spanish Town is generally hot, but with the installation of the unit, when school reopens for academic year 2019/20, our students will be elated to experience the effect of this precious gift from IGT,” she continued.

“Our ASA Centres are an investment in the future of young Jamaicans,” said General Manager of IGT in Jamaica, Debbie Green. “This includes not only their education and training, but also their wellbeing. Therefore, we are happy to make this contribution of an air conditioner to our valued partners in Spanish Town. We hope this will make the Centre’s everyday activities more pleasant and comfortable.”

The Acting Centre Manager added, “It has been a great pleasure partnering with IGT for the past five years. Their contribution has significantly assisted with the teaching and learning experience of information technology.”

The Spanish Town Centre, established in 1991, is one of eighteen sites where the work of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation is delivered, islandwide. The WCJF is a government agency mandated to provide adolescent mothers with continuing education during the period of their pregnancy.  After childbirth,

the young mothers are reintegrated into the formal school system to continue their education.

 

There was an air of great excitement among the young residents and staff at the Sunbeam Children’s Home in Bushy Park, St. Catherine, as IGT Jamaica proudly handed over a fully equipped computer lab on July 18, 2019.

The donation is the 14^th computer facility to be handed over in Jamaica, under IGT’s flagship After School Advantage (ASA) programme. The programme helps to close the gap that still exists between young people who can easily access modern information and computer technology and those that cannot. The after-school hours are critical learning periods for Jamaican students to accomplish their homework tasks and conduct online research.

“Our focus is on education – it is transformative,” said Desmond Whitley, Manager at Sunbeam Children’s Home. Noting that the home previously had no computers, he said that the ASA centre would be especially important for homework assignments. “We have a homework programme, but it is impossible to do without computers, especially for the boys taking the CSEC examinations,” Said Whitley.

As the 14th existing ASA centre, the home now has a fully functional computer lab consisting of six desktop computers and a printer.  IGT Jamaica’s General Manager Debbie Green said, “We are delighted to establish a centre here in the safe and nurturing environment that Sunbeam provides for the boys. This new ASA centre will give the students access to a new world of information and technology that will take them into a realm of unexplored possibilities for their future. At IGT Jamaica, we realize the importance of inclusiveness. It is critical for all our young people to be on board with the digital world of the future.”

Whitley said that the Home plans to integrate the computer lab into its Home School Programme, which provides education for around 20 students with learning challenges. “These boys study here during the day, while the other students are at school,” he pointed out. “Thus, the ASA centre will do double duty as a daytime learning site and will benefit all who live in our residential home.”

Sunbeam Children’s Home was founded in 1976 by Rev. Cedric Lue to provide care and nurture for young boys and to teach them Christian principles. It is a non-governmental organisation, part of the Sunbeam Association for Mission, and depends on support from missionaries, volunteers and donations from the public. Sunbeam currently provides a home for 65 boys, providing teaching along with Christian principles, while helping the boys to learn life and coping skills.

 

Two students from SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill and Mustard Seed Communities have been serving seven-week paid internships at IGT. The two young men are beneficiaries of IGT’s After School Advantage (ASA) Programme, which provides digital learning opportunities for underserved young people at non-profit organizations and public institutions.

The two young men were among seventeen interns that have been taken on this summer by the technology giant. One of the young men was tasked with record keeping and data input in the company’s Finance and Accounting Department while the other worked with the Warehouse and Logistics Manager.

Global People Services Coordinator at IGT Jamaica, Kellye Barwise, expressed her appreciation for the interns. “We were happy to welcome these two young men. They were extremely helpful and made a great contribution, while gaining valuable work experience.” She noted that the interns submitted cover letters and resumés for review and were shortlisted as candidates.

The interns said they had obtained some in-depth experience and insights into the world of work during their employment.  The intern from the Mustard Seed Communities said he has been enjoying his work in the warehouse; checking documentation for goods going in and out and maintaining computers, printers and other machines. “I feel good about it,” he said. “It has been a very useful experience.” He is practical, creative and a budding inventor, who enjoys putting together small machines and gadgets.

The SOS Children’s Village intern said that the work has provided him with a much better understanding of his career goals. He would definitely recommend IGT as an excellent employer, he noted.  He has a particular love for Information Technology, which he is currently studying. “The experience has been very helpful,” he added. “I have learned what is expected of me in the workplace.” While he does not yet have a clear plan mapped out for his future, he declared, “I aspire to be somebody great!”

General Manager of IGT Jamaica Debbie Green said: “This was a great introduction for these ambitious young people to work in a corporate setting. As team members, they also interacted well with

their colleagues within our company structure. Positive social interaction, discipline and good work habits are all critical aspects of the experience, along with the pursuit of their particular interests in the workspace.

We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

 

 

“No more chuck-up classroom! Thank you, Food For The Poor and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation,” chanted students of the Fyffes Pen Primary School in St. Elizabeth in their original poem of gratitude at the handing over of three large classrooms, an office and staff washroom recently.

“We are excited to build our 31^st school in the St. Elizabeth community of Fyffes Pen, partnering with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation on their 20^th build,” stated Ms. Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Canada (FFPC) in handing over the new building to Mr. Jermaine Porter, Chairman of the School Board.

She continued, “This new school will provide children with a safer environment to foster learning and will build capacity for the entire community.  Food For The Poor Canada is honoured to work with our partners, donors and volunteers towards our mandate of empowering communities across Jamaica, the Caribbean and Latin America.”

Mr. Floyd Green, Member of Parliament for the constituency in which Fyffes Pen is located, expressed his deep appreciation to FFPC and HHJF for “creating a legacy and improving communities all over Jamaica.” The MP said that despite the best efforts of the government, partners like FFPC and HHFJ were vital for helping to make education available to all due to the Ministry of Education’s budgetary constraints.

 

Ms. Natasha Borota, who led the 17-member team of Canadian volunteers from HHJF, said that the three days of intense construction activity was deeply satisfying for all members as they received lots of love and friendship from the 135 students of the school, as well as from members of staff and the wider Fyffes Pen Community.

Ms. Borota also expressed “heartfelt thanks to Jason Henzell and the BREDS Foundation for providing accommodation at Jake’s in Treasure Beach and transportation for the HHJF group.” The driver for the group, Mr. Darin James, also volunteered on the construction and said he enjoyed every moment.

Two members of the Jamaican diaspora who were part of the HHJF Canada group were Angel Brown and Marsha Brown, both educators. Angel said that she was a volunteer with both Food For The Poor Canada and the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and that she also made personal contributions to the building of a number of basic schools in Jamaica. Marsha Brown said that this was her third trip to Jamaica as a HHJF volunteer and she sees her involvement as “being part of a legacy of giving back for the advancement of Jamaica’s youth.” Marsha says that it is a legacy she wants her two children to also continue.

Food For The Poor assists with education in a number of ways including: construction of schools and sanitation units; training for teachers; donation of school furniture and supplies; payment of school fees, and provision of food for school feeding programmes.

-END-

For the review period April to March 2019, the Fiscal Performance continued its positive trend.

SELECTED FISCAL INDICATORS

Fiscal and Primary Surpluses exceed 2018-19 Targets

 TAX REVENUES UP $46B (9.3%) YEAR OVER YEAR

Revenue & Grants of $629.0B for the fiscal year (April – March) exceeded the budgeted amount of $627.6B (+0.2%) while Tax collections of $542.9B fell below the third supplementary budget FY2018/19 (-$1.6B).

Tax Revenues year over year increased by $46.0b (9.3%) from $496.8b for the period April 2017 through March 2018 to $543.0b for the comparable period in FY2018/19.

 EXPENDITURES BELOW BUDGET BY $13.3b

Expenditure for the twelve months of the fiscal year (April-March) was $13.3b below budget (-2.2%). Of this amount, Recurrent Expenditure was $10.7b below budget (-2.0%), while Capital Expenditure was $2.6b below budget (-3.8%).

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE UP 41.4% YEAR OVER YEAR

Capital Expenditure year over year increased by $19.4b from $46.8b for April 2017 through March 2018, to $66.2b for the comparable period in FY2018/19.

INTEREST EXPENDITURE DOWN $6.0b YEAR OVER YEAR

Interest costs up to March 2019 totaled $129.2b which was $6.0b below the $135.2b for the comparative period for 2017/18, and $7.0b below the budgeted figure of $136.2b for the twelve months of the fiscal year 2018/19 (April-March), driven by lower interest rates on the GOJ debt.

FISCAL SURPLUS OF $24.4b

The GOJ continues to run Fiscal surpluses with Tax Revenues and Grants exceeding Expenditure by $24.4b for the April 2018 – March 2019 period against the projected budget target of $9.6b.

PRIMARY BALANCE EXCEEDS BUDGET TARGETS BY $7.7b

As a result of the Revenue and Grants performance and the under-expenditure for the twelve months of the fiscal year, the Primary Balance of $153.6b exceeded the $145.8b budget target for April 2018-March 2019.

MONETARY TARGETS

International Reserves

As at May 10, 2019, Jamaica’s Net International Reserves stood at US$ 3.021b.

Non-Borrowed Reserves

As at 08 May 2019, the projected stock of non-borrowed reserves (NBR) at end-June 2019 is US$2,477.1m, US$220 m above the indicative targeted floor.

Inflation rate

The annual point to point inflation rate at April 2019 was 3.9 per cent, an acceleration relative to the 3.4 per cent recorded at April 2018. The acceleration in inflation mainly reflected the impact of higher vegetable and starchy food prices due to a greater than seasonal reduction in agricultural supplies.

The effect of this shock on inflation was supported by higher energy prices driven by an increase in international oil prices.

Notwithstanding the acceleration in inflation at April 2019, the low level of inflation relative to target is indicative of the lagged impact of low but improving domestic demand conditions, relative to capacity. This is reflected in a low core inflation rate of 2.3%.

BOJ MAKES AGGRESSIVE MONETARY POLICY ACTIONS

Bank of Jamaica reduces Interest rate to 0.75%

On Friday May 17, 2019 The BOJ announced the reduction of the policy interest rate by 0.50 pp to 0.75%. This decision reflected that Bank’s assessment that projected inflation will approach the midpoint of the target gradually but at a slower pace than expected at the last forecast in February 2019. The decision is aimed at increasing the rate of expansion of Private Sector Credit.

Bank of Jamaica narrows Interest Rate Corridor to 200 bps

On 20 Monday 2019, Bank of Jamaica announces that, effective 20 May 2019, the width of the  interest rate corridor is being reduced from 300 basis points to 200 basis points.  This adjustment in the width of the interest rate corridor will result in a reduction in the standard interest rate on the Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) to 2.75 per cent (the policy rate – 0.75 per cent per annum – plus 200 basis points) per annum.

Narrowing the width of the corridor is aimed at strengthening the signaling effect of Bank of Jamaica’s monetary policy actions.

Bank of Jamaica reduces Cash Reserve Ratio

The Bank of Jamaica reduced the Cash Reserve Requirement by two percentage points to 7.0% effective June 3, 2019. The reduction is expected to increase liquidity in the financial system by $12.3 billion, and thereby should support the expansion of credit to businesses and households at lower rates.

Private Sector Credit

Lending to the Productive Sector increases by 16.7%

The annual growth in total loans and advances (JMD and USD denominated) extended by DTIs to the private sector was 15.2 per cent at end-March 2019. This reflected an acceleration when compared to growth of 13.4 per cent and 13.8 per cent at end December 2018 and end-March 2018, respectively.

The growth mainly resulted from increased lending to the productive sector which reflected annual growth of 16.7 per cent at end-March 2019, relative to 11.4 per cent for the corresponding period of 2018. Loans to consumers grew by 14.2 per cent, a deceleration relative to the growth of 15.5 per cent recorded at end-March 2018.

Foreign Exchange Market

On 10 May 2019, the value of the Jamaican Dollar vis-à-vis the US dollar was J$136.54 = US$1.00, reflecting a depreciation of 1.17 per cent ($1.58) for the Month to Date. This follows depreciation of 6.72 per cent ($8.49) for April 2019.

The depreciation in the value of the Jamaica Dollar for the review period was influenced by: (1) by strong demand from the energy, manufacturing and telecom sectors (2) increased demand related to capital market funding and portfolios.

On an annual basis, the Jamaica Dollar at May 10, 2019 depreciated by 8.55 per cent ($10.75), compared to a depreciation of 7.69 per cent ($9.64) at the end of April 2019 and appreciation of 3.26 per cent ($4.23) for the twelve months to 10 May 2018.

STRUCTURAL BENCHMARKS

All Structural Benchmarks under the Programme have been met.

EPOC ENCOURAGES TIMELY DELIVERY ON CRITICAL REFORMS

EPOC reiterates support for Flexible Exchange Rate and Inflation Targeting

EPOC continues to stand firmly behind a market determined and flexible exchange rate, as the GoJ and the BoJ continue to move towards full-fledged inflation targeting within the context of a resourced, modernized and autonomous Central Bank.

EPOC calls for Implementation of FX Platform and Regulations around FX Hedging products

EPOC welcomes the dialogue which has resulted from the recent volatility in the FX market, which has led to greater discussion with the Private Sector around bringing forward critical reforms which will bring transparency and price discovery to the FX Market. These reforms are important elements of a deepening of the FX market. The following are also important:

• The implementation of a FX Market Trading Platform, which is behind the targeted implementation date of March 2019. This platform, when implemented, is to be integrated with the payments and settlement systems by June 2019, and subsequently regulations are to be issued by September 2019, which will allow all market participants to trade all FX transactions by the end of 2019.
• Completing the consultation with the Industry around the benchmarks and pricing approaches for FX forward contacts, which was to be completed by March 2019 and the draft regulations for FX Market hedging and reporting.

We urge the GoJ, the BoJ, the Financial Industry and the Private Sector to work with urgency to deliver these critical complementary reforms to ensure market transparency and price discovery, which should contribute to reduced volatility in the FX Market.

 GET NIDS BACK ON TRACK

EPOC CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (NIDS)

The implementation of the National Identification System has been a key deliverable under the Economic Reform Program since 2009. The GoJ has fallen behind on implementation timelines over this extended period. Under the current IMF/PSBA Programme, timelines have slipped and the implementation is now faced with legal challenges.

There is broad consensus around the benefits of NIDs as it would greatly enhance the seamless delivery of services to all Jamaicans by the Public and Private Sector. NIDs will ease and reduce the cost of doing business in Jamaica for all stakeholders.

EPOC strongly urges the GoJ, the opposition and other stakeholder groups to urgently get this game changing initiative back on track and not allow any further slippage.

EPOC LOOKS FORWARD TO FISCAL COUNCIL AND CENTRAL BANK AUTONOMY POST IMF PROGRAM

Institutional Framework post IMF

Jamaica just completed the fifth and penultimate review under the current IMF PSBA. Jamaica faces one more IMF review under the Programme. The plans around consolidating, preserving and building on the gains of the Economic Program hinges on the Institutional Framework that is established and left in place. EPOC acknowledges the efforts of the GoJ in enhancing fiscal responsibility and inflation targeting, through the establishment of the Fiscal Council and the greater independence of the Central Bank. This is complemented by the National Disaster Risk Financing Policy.

Under the IMF PSBA, the Fiscal Council is to be established by September 2019 and EPOC stands ready to provide support where needed to ensure implementation.

EPOC looks forward to the National Disaster Risk Financing Policy being completed and submitted to Parliament by June 2019.

The Autonomy of the Central Bank is also an important pillar in the Institutional Framework, and we note that there is currently a clause by clause review of the BoJ Act that is currently underway, by a joint select Committee of Parliament. EPOC would like to see these deliberations completed in a thorough and timely manner, which could see this desired Central Bank Autonomy in place by the end of the Calendar year 2019.

 Public Sector Transformation

Whilst the GoJ has met all Structural Benchmarks for Public Sector Transformation, there remains a significant body of work to be done to achieve an efficient Public Service, which delivers seamlessly to all stakeholders. These areas of focus are namely 1) Rationalizing the inequitable allowance structure 2) Prioritizing government functions and shedding those that are un-affordable or not needed 3) Overhauling compensation to reward performance.

EPOC’S CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

Jamaica’s Fiscal position continues to be in a good place with Jamaica exceeding targets and running a Fiscal surplus for 2018/19. The Bank of Jamaica continues in its accommodative stance with the reduction of interest rates to all-time lows, and for the second time in the past three months, the cash reserve ratio of the Banks have been reduced.

The implementation of these policy measures continue to contribute to the reduction in Jamaica’s debt levels.  Interest costs to the GoJ also continue to fall. The growth in credit to the Productive Sector is increasing year over year eclipsing the growth in consumer credit.

The recent aggressive Monetary Policy Actions should certainly create further stimulus to the Financial Sector to lend at lower and more favourable terms to the Private Sector, which should spur greater growth in private credit and domestic investments.

Where concerns have been raised around the volatility of the Jamaican dollar, the Minister of Finance and the Bank of Jamaica have taken steps to deepen the consultation with Civil Society, to accelerate the complementary reforms to Jamaica’s flexible Exchange rate regime.

As Jamaica moves into the final review under the Economic Programme, which would be in the last quarter of the 2019 calendar year, EPOC is strongly urging the GoJ, the BOJ and other stakeholders to remain focused on the implementation of the Institutional Framework that will protect the macroeconomic stability, which Jamaica has achieved with great effort and sacrifice.

EPOC is of the view that the Economic Programme remains firmly on track.

-END-

Henry Thomas of UTC Steppers and Lloni Sharp were winners of the Male and Female Runner titles respectively in the fifth Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) “Run for JA 5K” that took off at Emancipation Park on Sunday, 19 March 2019. Thomas finished in a time of 16 minutes 39 seconds, while Sharp completed the course in 22 minutes 19 seconds. More than 3,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair participants competed in the FFPJ charity event that is a fundraiser for the construction of houses for Jamaicans in need of shelter and for income generating projects.

Top male and female walkers in the 5K event were Duwell Allen (27:28) and Anna-Kay Swaby (32:56) respectively; both are members of the Shizzle Fit team. The Wheelchair/Paraplegic Category was competed for only by female participants and it was Sylvia Grant who took the top prize. Top sectional places for the FFPJ 5K Walk/Run, with finishing times, are as follows:

Male Runners

1. Henry Thomas (16:39)
2. Kosiani Dunkly (17:26)
3. Royale Gordon (17:35)

Female Runners

1. Lloni Sharp (22:09)
2. Olivia McKoy (23:21)
3. Annakay Edwards (24:27)

Male Walkers

1. Duwell Allen (27:28)
2. Lenworth Hunter (29:57)
3. Shavonne Henry (31:55)

Female Walkers

1. Anna-Kay Swaby (32:56)
2. Paula Sinclair (35:00)
3. Patricia Grant (36:04)

Wheelchair/Paraplegic

1. Sylvia Grant
2. Vinette Green
3. Maureen Saunders

Team Runners

1. UCT Steppers
2. Rainforest Seafoods
3. National Bakery

Team Walkers

1. Rainforest Seafoods
2. NCU 91FM
3. UCT Steppers

Youngest Male: Conor Chen 5 years old

Youngest Female: Dominique Hunter 5 years old

Most Senior Runner: Gerline Nelson 79 years old

“We are most heartened by the support for this event in terms of sponsorship and participation,” said Mr. Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of Food For The Poor. He notes that proceeds from four previous stagings of the event was able to fund the construction of two hundred and fifty (250) homes for needy Jamaicans, through individual registration and corporate sponsorship.

One Food For The Poor house costs US$3,800, including a water tank, septic tank and solar panel unit.  Over the past six years, FFP Jamaica has handed over a total of 5,149 houses to Jamaican families in urgent need of shelter. “This has been made possible by the generosity of FFP donors, to whom FFP Jamaica is extremely grateful,” the FFPJ Chairman adds.

A family and community atmosphere enveloped Emancipation Park for the FFPJ 5K as the Food For The Poor Band “Blazing Genesis” performed and showed why they emerged winners of 3 trophies in this year’s Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Festival of the Performing Arts for “Best Instrumental Piece”, “Best Stage Band” and “Best Instrumentalist”. The Food For The Poor Choir also entertained with an inspiring original song entitled “Give With All Your Heart” that celebrated the life-changing programmes of Food For The Poor in the areas of Housing, Education, Health, Prison Ministry and Economic/Agricultural Projects.

Food For The Poor Jamaica reminds all Jamaicans who could not make it to the “Run for JA 5K” that they can still contribute to building a house for a needy Jamaican by making a one-time or monthly donation to Food For The Poor Jamaica and may contact them at 876-984-5005 or www.foodforthepoorja.org.

-END-

IGT in Jamaica partnered with Dress for Success for an intensive one-day professional development workshop, which benefited ten students of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation. The training took place at the Altamont Court Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. It forms part of the ongoing support offered by IGT’s After School Advantage Programme, which provides support for underprivileged children by improving access to education through technology.

The highly interactive and empowering workshop, titled ”Journey to Work and Beyond: The B.O.L.D. and Beautiful Approach”, introduced the students to skills and strategies that would be useful to them as they moved from school to work, entrepreneurship or further education. The acronym “B.O.L.D.” (Believe, Opportunity, Love [Learning], Dream [Big]) sought to inspire and motivate the young women, while building confidence and self-esteem.

One of the participants, Altonette Whyte, found the “B.O.L.D.” concept inspiring. “I’m really glad I came,” said Altonette. “The workshop made me see things from a different perspective. I learned a lot.”A fellow student and aspiring doctor Jody-Ann Matthews appreciated the advice on what colours to wear for a job interview. She found the interaction highly motivational. “I learned that our smile shows we are unstoppable…And I learned the importance of acquiring the mindset for learning.”

Charmaine Lewis and Amanda Rose of Dress for Success also turned the students’ attention to the importance of setting ambitious but realistic goals and taking steps to realize them through careful planning. The young women then enjoyed a Vision Board activity, taking their work home with them to continue. The session concluded with practical tips on presentation and the appropriate makeup for employment interviews.

“It’s really about building their confidence, and allowing them to discover and present their best selves,” said trainer Charmaine Lewis. Colleague Amanda Rose agreed with her that the participants were “quick to grab the opportunities to volunteer and speak up.” Ms. Rose added that it was gratifying to “see the shoulders straight and heads held high,” as the students stepped out of the workshop “much more confident about their potential.”

IGT Jamaica’s General Manager Debbie Green observed: “We are delighted to partner with Dress for Success on this project, which will do so much to enhance the progress of these young ladies as they move on in their lives.” She added: “This seminar is a part of our efforts to broaden educational opportunities for young people under the umbrella of our After School Advantage Programme.”

The workshop was supplemented by a booklet containing additional information, tips and guidelines on interview techniques and resumé preparation.

The Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica, established in 1978, focuses on providing education and training opportunities for adolescent mothers, in addition to offering counselling and guidance on preventing further pregnancies for the young women, their partners and families.