Employers pump $2B into HEART
JAMAICAN employers contributed $2.05 billion to HEART Trust/NTA in its financial year ending March 2002, to provide the bulk of the $2.35 billion earnings recorded by the state training agency to March 2002.

Jamaican banks strengthen assets - CIBC/FirstCaribbean the exception
CIBC/FirstCaribbean the exception THE commercial banking sector is reflecting an improvement in its financial base in a year-on-year comparison to September 30, 2002.

Oliver Clarke bids farewell to PSOJ
MR. OLIVER Clarke has gained a reputation as someone who sets objectives and assiduously attains them.

UDC chases debt financing for Beaches Whitehouse
THE Urban Development Corporation (UDC) appears closer to tying up full financing for Beaches Whitehouse and is now chasing after debt to plug the financing gap in the hotel development, now four years in the making.

Hoteliers optimistic about occupancies but worried about room rates
THE third annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Tourism Barometer Survey (www.pwcglobal.com/jamaica) has revealed that many Jamaican hoteliers are optimistic that hotel occupancies will rise significantly for the 2002/03 winter season...

'Local banks must continually train staff'
FAYE Jacobs, executive director of the New Kingston-based Caribbean Integrated Financial Services (CIFS), has underscored the need for indigenous banks to implement a programme of ongoing training for their workforce to ensure their survival...

IRD to collect assets tax
AS part of the effort to boost its tax revenue intake, the Government has transferred responsibility for collection of the assets tax to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).