Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says his new year’s wish for Jamaica is for the country to maintain a low murder rate and to further grow the economy.

He made the statement at the new year’s ceremony in Black River St Elizabeth.

Last year jamaica recorded 673 murders.

According to the police, this is the first time the murder rate has fallen below 700 since 1994.

According to the prime minister, the objective is to get the regional average of 15 murders per 100 thousand people.

He said his other wish is that the economy will grow, despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa.