KINGSTON, Jamaica –Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips, is to make a statement to the House of Representatives this afternoon on fiscal incentives legislation.

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr Omar Davies, is also expected to make a statement on the report on the findings of an environmental and feasibility study on the China-financed logistics hub proposed for Goat Islands.

Dr Phillips is expected to either table the Omnibus Tax Incentive legislation, a structural benchmark of the four-year Extended Fund Facility agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) signed on May 1, or update the House on the Bill which September 30-deadline was missed last month.

 Phillips told the House on September 24 that following discussions with the IMF on the issue, the government had committed to table the Bill by Thursday, October 31.

He said that following the first performance quarterly review in August, concerns were raised by local stakeholders and international partners about what was being proposed by the tax incentives working group.

The Omnibus Tax Incentive Bill, a key element in fulfilling the IMF agreement, aims to establish a transparent and coherent regime to govern all tax incentives.

Meanwhile it is likely that Davies will table a copy of the environmental report, which was discussed at Cabinet Monday. The results of the study should help the government determine how to respond to the controversial proposal, which has been criticised by environmentalists as a threat to the Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA) created by the government in 1999, to protect a large marine and terrestrial area southeast of Kingston.

The government has stated that it will adhere to regulatory requirements, while seeking prompt decisions regarding the project which is based on a proposal from China to construct a US$1.5 billion trans-shipment port on the protected islands.   

The House will also – conclude debate on the Charities Bill which was started last week by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton; and start debate on the Defamation Bill, which is expected to be piloted by Attorney General Patrick Atkinson.