The nation’s farmers are to see an additional 4.5 per cent cut in the price of fertiliser, starting Thursday (June 23), by Newport-Fersan Jamaica Limited. The move brings to about 19 per cent, the total reduction in the cost of the key agricultural input to farmers, by the company, over the course of a month. In May, Newport-Fersan implemented a...

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) continues to fuel the economy through its business centres that support the growth and development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating outside of Kingston. Kingston houses the headquarters for the JBDC, but the entity has acknowledged that “good business” is not centralised to the Kingston and St. Andrew metropolitan area. In other...

The Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) has pledged its long-term support to the family of the five residents from Cocoa Piece in Clarendon who were killed on Tuesday (June 21). “I express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the family and [want] them to know that we are all here for them. In whatever way, we're able, [we’ll] give...

Jamaica has accelerated the buildout of its national broadband initiative to facilitate the rollout of high-speed Internet access across the island. In addition, the Universal Service Fund (USF) has been providing free Wi-Fi Internet access points in major town centres, public green spaces and parks, and communities across the island. Addressing the Commonwealth Business Forum Heads of Government and Business...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is projecting that the island will welcome approximately 800,000 visitors for the 2022 summer period (late June to the end of August) with destination earnings exceeding US$1.1 billion. Director of Tourism, Donovan White, said the figures, respectively, represent 85 per cent of the pre-pandemic (2019) arrival levels, and more than 90 per cent in revenues...

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development officially launched the Rural Development Programme in Chambers Pen, Hanover, on Wednesday (June 22). Under the programme, which is being piloted in the community, some $223 million will be invested in the upgrading of key infrastructure. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that Chambers Pen was chosen to be the pilot community...

Designers of floats, costumes and music trucks will have the opportunity to show off their skills at the upcoming Jamaica 60 Emancipation and Independence celebrations. The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is inviting talented Jamaicans to submit designs for a Float Parade to reflect the Jamaican experience. The theme for the float parade is ‘Re-igniting a Nation for...

More than 190,000lb of plastic have been removed from the waste stream through the expanded National Solid Waste Management Authority (NWSMA) Northern Belt Plastic Separation Programme, in St. Andrew. “We started that programme in January 2020. So, we go from Beverley Hills in the east up to Smokey Vale in the north. We began with 16 communities, but based on...

The National Works Agency (NWA) is advising that over the next two days, motorists may experience delays when travelling along the Sawyers main road in South Trelawny. This, as the Agency completes much needed resurfacing works along this heavily used corridor. The Sawyers main road is located along the Jackson Town to Ullster Spring corridor, and is being repaired to...