Above: Jamaica’s Parliament (FP)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica officially began the 2013/2014 session of Parliament on Thursday with a ceremony at Gordon House.

The session officially began with the Throne Speech delivered by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

The Governor General’s speech was delivered under the theme “Jamaica: Going for Growth and Development,” outlining priority areas including securing an Extended Fund Facility with the International Monetary Fund, improving the business environment in the country and reducing crime and violence.

Allen said the government would pursue an “active” legislative agenda for the fiscal year, including an amended Road Traffic Act and Transport Authority Act, along with a plan to separate the National Contracts Commission from the Office of the Contractor General.

The House of Representatives held its first sitting on Thursday morning, with Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips tabling the Estimates of Expenditure for 2013/2014.