Newsline Business (February 20)

Jamaica’s Central Government debt increased by $2.3 million between March the December last year.

The Fiscal Policy Paper tabled in parliament recently says this increase was due to a rise in external debt stock, caused by the depreciation of the Jamaican dollar.

Meanwhile Jamaica’s entertainment sector contributed 71 billion dollars to the island’s economy between 2012 and 2016.

Senior lecturer at the UWI Mona Campus, Dr Sonjah Niaah told a lecture earlier this week that this assessment was contained in a United Nations study published in March last year, which looked the creative industries as an income earner.

However she said while entertainment provides an income for many people, there is need for a programme to support young artistes.

***

The national carrier of the Bahamas, Bahamas Air recorded a loss of $21 million last year, despite a government injection of 15 million and increased revenue of 89 million.

But the Tourism Minister is hoping that investment in a new aircraft will turn around the island’s fortunes.

Pegasus hotel is expanding in Guyana…

The project is expected to cost an estimated $100 million –  to be the largest by a local investor.