United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Country Head, Jason Fraser, says the diaspora is a critical development partner for Jamaica through remittances and other areas of support. Data from the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) indicate that net remittance inflows during 2018 totalled approximately US$2 billion, representing an increase of US$19 million or nearly one per cent over the previous...

Cabinet has approved salary increases for Parish Judges, similar to those approved for the wider public service. They will receive 16 per cent over the three-year period at the rate of five per cent, two per cent and nine per cent, respectively. Finance and the Public Service Minister, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, made the announcement during the sitting of...

The Jamaica Diaspora Health Task Force in the United States of America (USA) is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to advance the Adopt-a-Clinic programme. Under the initiative, launched in November 2017, the Ministry has earmarked 100 health centres across the island for support from local and international individuals, groups and corporate entities. The United Kingdom (UK)...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says that protecting the country’s borders is critical in curtailing crime. “We have to control transnational crime, and if we get that right… it will be [one of] the most effective steps in getting criminals under control in Jamaica. The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jamaica Customs, the Coast Guard and...

The Gregory Park Primary School in St. Catherine is seeing an improvement in student achievement consequent on measures undertaken over the last five years. Principal of the school, Richard Williams, told JIS News that when he took over the leadership of the institution in 2014 he worked with the teachers on a programme to boost numeracy and literacy, including holding...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Diaspora plays a critical role in the development of the economy. Speaking at the launch of the 8th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston last evening (June 16) Prime Minister Holness underscored the contribution of the Diaspora to national development particularly in the areas of health and education. The...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is assuring Jamaicans living abroad that the Government is taking national security seriously, with significant investments made over the last two years to strengthen the country’s security architecture. He noted that this year alone, the Government is spending close to $20 billion, which is “the highest that has ever been spent on national...