Five of the six service industry subsectors recorded positive out-turns to drive Jamaica’s estimated growth of six per cent for the January to March 2022 quarter. Leading the way was ‘Hotels and Restaurants’, which, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), increased by an impressive 105.7 per cent. This contributed significantly to the services industry recording an 8.9 per...

Professor Dale Webber, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, visited several universities in the USA last week to explore expanded collaboration in research and exchange programmes. He placed particular focus on a group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, to start the process of creating opportunities for Jamaican...

The economy is estimated to have grown by 8.1 per cent during fiscal year 2021/22, reports the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, said that the out-turn, which falls within the entity’s target range of seven to nine per cent, reflects improved performances in all goods producing and service industry subsectors, except mining and quarrying, which...

Some $1.5 billion will be spent on the construction and upgrading of police facilities in financial year 2022/23. Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on June 1. Of the total expenditure, the Ministry is targeting the renovation of...

One hundred and twenty-eight residents of St. Catherine are now proud landowners, having received certificates of title for property that they have occupied for several years. The residents are from the communities of Old Harbour, Church Pen, Sharper’s Lane, Thompson Pen, Bushy Park and Old Harbour Bay. The titles, provided under the National Land Agency’s (NLA) Systematic Land Registration (SLR)...

As the Government seeks to transform the education sector, the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission (JETC) is engaging with academic institutions islandwide for feedback on current policies and recommendations. This follows the release of the JETC report on January 13, 2022, which outlined recommendations to the Government for the advancement of the sector. Leading the discussions is Chairman of the Commission,...

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams (centre) and Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Dr. Kasan Troupe (right) engage in discussion with Chairman of the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission (JETC), Professor Orlando Patterson, during a courtesy call at the Ministry in Kingston on Wednesday (June 1).

The Knockalva Polytechnic College in Ramble, Hanover, now has a computer-equipped learning and resource centre, which was established by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Advance Program. The facility, which has 30 workstations, provides a space for students to access learning online, while enabling them to source material and information to assist their career and work-readiness,...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has welcomed the Heart Foundation of Jamaica’s newest campaign, aimed at boosting public support for black octagonal front-of-package warning food labels (FOPLs). The campaign, dubbed “Protect our Children’s Health”, was launched on Wednesday (May 27) and is intended to build on the success of HFJ’s first FOPLs campaign. This phase...