Tax worries for mechanical and electrical contractors
MECHANICAL AND Electrical (M&E) contractors operating in the island's construction industry are calling for the removal of the general consumption tax (GCT) on their services, noting that an amendment to the act in 2003 which removed GCT.

Coldwell Banker opens in MoBay
WESTERN BUREAU: THE KINGSTON-BASED Coldwell Banker Jamaica Reality has spread it wings to the tourism town of Montego Bay. The realty company officially opened its Montego Bay office at the Montego Bay Shopping Centre last weekend.

Milverton Reynolds goes to Mortgage Bank
MANAGING DIRECTOR of the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC), Milverton Reynolds, has been seconded to the Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB). He will act as general manager for six months starting yesterday.

Digicel's Raoul Fontanez resigns
RAOUL FONTANEZ this week resigned as CEO of Digicel Group with immediate effect. New acting Group CEO Colm Deves, while describing Raoul's news as unexpected, said Raoul was "keen to pursue other business interests in the Dominican Republic."

Bring lending rates down - Doreen Frankson
THE JAMAICA Manufacturers' Association notes that in recent times banks have been decreasing their base rates. However, we believe that the pace of decline is much too slow, and relative to our trading partners interest rates...

Role of a rating agency in developing local bond markets
INVESTMENT - BOTH private and public - is the means by which an economy grows. The money to finance this investment comes from savings - either domestic savings or foreign savings.

Adjust bond taxes
THE CONTINUAL reduction in interest rates is a welcome move in the right direction. Those responsible for this achievement are to be commended and we hope that the trend will continue.

Solving crime - priority one
ON AUGUST 27, 2004, the article I wrote was entitled 'Crime: main enemy of economic progress'. At that time over 900 persons had been murdered for the year to date...