1 Metropolitan Parks and Markets (MPM) was established. The agency was tasked with the duty of beautification and public cleansing, leading to the development of parks in Kingston.

2 The Solidarity Programme was launched sparking entrepreneurship through the granting of loans, thus encouraging citizens to go into business for themselves.

3 Comprehensive tax reforms were introduced, including a nation-governing standard income tax rate.

4 The island’s GDP for 1985 was US$1.7 billion or US$940 per capita.

5 The Export Import (EX IM) Bank was formed under the guidance of Edward Seaga.

6 The government announced plans to begin reorganising higher education, including the eventual merger of CAST and the College of Agriculture into a polytechnical institute or a university.

7 In May, Dr Gordy Klatt birthed the event, the Jamaica Cancer Society’s ‘Relay for Life’.

8 The legendary Jamaican reggae group Black Uhuru received the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

9 The Reggae Sunsplash World tour was launched in the USA and Japan.

1 0 Roy Rayon won the Popular Song Competition with the song Love Fever.