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Government of Jamaica (GoJ), through Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), has prepared Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012 as a companion document to Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan. The MTF has benefited from extensive collaboration with officials across Government, industry leaders, trade unions and Civil Society.
The MTF sets out a prioritized package of policies, strategies and programmes proposed by the Government for implementation over the period 2009-2012. These are reflected in six (6) Priorities National Outcomes: 1. Security & Safety, 2. A Stable Macro-economy, 3. Strong Economic Infrastructure, 4. Energy Security and Efficiency, 5. World-Class Education and Training, and 6. Effective Governance (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, page 25).
These six (6) Priorities National Outcomes are aligned to five (5) Supporting National Outcomes: 1. An Enabling Business Environment, 2. Internationally Competitive Industry Structures, 3. Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change, 4. Effective Social Protection, and 5. Authentic and Transformational Culture (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, page 28).
The MTF has recognized and taken into consideration, other planning instruments and processes such as: the proposed 3-years Whole Government Business Plan, being prepared for the public sector under the coordination of the Cabinet Office; the corporate and operational plans of MDAs; and the annual national budgets. The proposed introduction and full implementation of a MTF by the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MOF), is also recognized as an important step to ensure greater coherence of the fiscal budget with the National Goals and Outcomes.
The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is committed to leading the process of policy formulation on economic and social issues and external co-operation management to achieve sustainable for the people of Jamaica.
Its Organization Structure is the following: 1. Director General & Board; 2. Programme Implementation Unit; 3. Business Consulting Unit; 4. Director General's Secretariat; 5. Cooperative Services (Office Services. Human Resources, Information Systems, Accounting, Doc. Centre & Registry); 6. Sustainable, Development & Regional Planning (Regional Planning and Sustainable Development); 7. Economic Planning & Research (Modeling &Research, Macro-economic Planning); 8. Social Policy Research & Planning (Human Development, Social Policy & Gender, Policy Research, Social Welfare, Population); 9. External Cooperation Management (Project Data Bank, Multilateral Technical, Multilateral Financing, Project Development); and 10. Corporate Affairs Marketing & Communications (Marketing & Communications and Publications).
As the foremost planning agency of the government, the PIOJ's functions include:
a) Initiating and coordinating the development of policies, plan and programmes for the economic, financial, social, cultural and physical development of Jamaica;
b) Advising the Government on major issues relating to economic, environmental and social policy;
c) Undertaking research on national development issues;
d) Providing technical and research support to the Cabinet;
e) Collecting, compiling, analysing and monitoring social status and economic performance data;
f) Managing external cooperation agreements and programmes;
g) Collaborating with external funding agencies in the identification and implementation of development projects;
h) Interpret decisions on economic and social policy and integrate them into the national development programme;
i) Prepare economic models for the guidance of policymakers, investors and other planners;
j) Assess existing and projected social, economic and human resources and formulate plans for the most effective use of such resources;
k) Coordinate national, regional and sectoral development planning to facilitate the consistent and efficient implementation of projects and programmes;
m) Determine the economic, financial and technical feasibility of new development projects, and coordinate the implementation of ongoing projects;
n) Be instrumental in conceptualizing investment projects for national development;
o) Maintain a national socio-economic library;
p) Prepare and disseminate socio-economic data and analysis through its publications;
q) Prepare population projections; and
r) Undertake consultant activities for local and foreign Government entities
Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has developed strategies and mechanisms reflected in "Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012". The MTF is aligned to the overall vision, goals and outcomes of Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan and allows for a stage by stage operationalization of the long-term Plan.
The MTF aims to put Jamaica in a position to achieve developed country status by 2030 as indicated by enhanced quality of life for all citizens and world-class standards in areas including education, health care, nutrition, civility and social order and access to environmental goods and services. Likewise, it has set out six (6) Priorities National Outcomes:
1. Security & Safety. Comprises the following Priority Sector Strategies for Years 1-3 (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, pages 34-37):
1.1 Strengthen the capacity of communities to participate in creating a safe and secure society
1.2 Reform and modernize the law enforcement system
1.3 Improve the security of the border and territorial waters
1.4 Strengthen the anti-crime capability of Law enforcement agencies
1.5 Strengthen the management, rehabilitation and reintegration of clients of correctional services
2. A Stable Macro-Economy. Comprises the following Priority Sector Strategies for Years 1-3 (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, pages 42-44):
2.1 Ensure fiscal and debt sustainability
2.2 Develop an efficient and equitable tax system
2.3 Maintain financial system stability
2.4 Maintain price stability
3. Strong Economic Infrastructure. Comprises the following Priority Sector Strategies for Years 1-3 (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, pages 48-51):
3.1 Expand and rationalize land transport infrastructure and services
In this aspect, the Government of Jamaica has made efforts to strengthen and improve procedures, efficiency and transparency especially in relation to the registration and renewal of motor vehicle and drive licenses.
These efforts have been sponsored by the United States Agency for Integral Development (USAID) with the aim of undertaking a review of the motor vehicle and driver's license operations and systems during the 2011/2012 financial year. Recommendations of this review were made by the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU) and presented to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport and Works (MTW) on June 14, 2011. Implementation of these recommendations would serve to improve public satisfaction and allow citizens to make more productive use of their time (Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU) Annual Report: April 2011 - March 2012. Page 17).
Regarding Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, this sets out the following pivotal strategies (MTF 2009-2012, page 48):
3.2 Develop a modernized public transport system
3.3 Expand domestic and international air transport infrastructure and services
3.4 Expand and diversify maritime infrastructure and services
3.5 Develop Jamaica as a regional logistics hub with multimodal transport linkages
3.6 Expand the broadband network island-wide
3.7 Ensure adequate and safe water supply and sanitation services
4. Energy Security and Efficiency. Comprises the following Priority Sector Strategies for Years 1-3 (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, pages 55-56):
4.1 Diversify the energy supply
4.2 Promote energy efficiency and conservation
5. World-Class Education and Training. Comprises the following Priority Sector Strategies for Years 1-3 (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, pages 62-64):
5.1 Ensure that children 0-8 years old have access to adequate early childhood education and development programmes
5.2 Accelerate the process of creating and implementing a standards-driven and outcomes-based education system
5.3 Develop and establish financing and management mechanisms for schools
5.4 Ensure a physical environment in all schools that is safe and conducive to learning
5.5 Expand mechanisms to provide access to education and training for all including unattached youth
5.6 Establish National Qualification Framework
5.7 Strengthen the mechanisms to align training with demands of the labour market
6. Effective Governance. Comprises the following Priority Sector Strategies for Years 1-3 (Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF): 2009-2012, pages 68-69):
6.1 Strengthen the process of citizen participation in governance
6.2 Reform the justice system
6.3 Strengthen public institutions to deliver efficient and effective public goods and services