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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second left), in discussion with Chairman of Carnival Corporation, Micky Arison (left), in Miami on January 26. Mr. Bartlett handed over the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Ministry of Tourism (Jamaica) ‘Global Legend of the Caribbean Award’ to Mr. Arison at Carnival’s headquarters. Others (from third left) are Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, Arnold Donald; Advisor/Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright; and Senior Vice President of Global Port and Destination Development, Giora Israel.

Tourism Minister Says Cruise Shipping Poised for Further Growth

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica’s cruise shipping is poised for even further growth, following commitments and “glowing reviews” from the major cruise lines. Mr. Bartlett, who is currently attending the Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Puerto Rico, said...

Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre) cuts the ribbon to launch the National Careers Week and Skills Competition on Thursday ( February 1) at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. State Minister for Education, Hon. Floyd Green (second left), looks on. Others observing (from left) are HEART Trust/NTA National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 construction student, Paul Staple; Interim Managing Director, HEART Trust/NTA, Dr. Janet Dyer; and Chairman of HEART Trust, Edward Gabbidon.

Students to Showcase Technical Skills at National Careers Week Event

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (second left), hands over the accreditation certificate for the Veterinary Services Diagnostic Laboratory (VSDL) to Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Osbil Watson (third left) during a ceremony at VSDL’s offices on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew on January 31.Others (from left) are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), Sharonmae Shirley; Chairman, JANAAC, Simon Roberts; and Quality Manager, VSDL, Tricia Fraser.

Veterinary Services Diagnostic Lab Accredited for Testing of Fish

Chairman, Board of Directors, HEART Trust/NTA, Edward Gabbidon (right), addresses the ceremony for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between HEART Trust/NTA and the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), to provide skills training for persons interested in becoming employed in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, at HEART’s head office in Kingston, on Friday (February 2). At left is President, BPIAJ, Gloria Henry.

HEART Signs with BPIAJ for Training

Finance and the Public Service Minister and Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, Hon. Audley Shaw (second left), points out something of interest to Chairman of Caribbean Cement Company, Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee (left); and Chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority, Wayne Chen (third left), as they walk along the freshly repaved water-harvesting facility at Percy Junor Hospital in Spaldings, Manchester. The catchment facility, renovated by Carib Cement, was officially handed over on January 31. At right is General Manager of Carib Cement, Peter Donkersloot.

Percy Junor Hospital Rainwater Harvesting Facility Restored

Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley (second left), congratulates winner of an inverter refrigerator in the Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) ‘Energy Matters Competition’, Albert Chin (second right), during the awards ceremony on February 2, at ATL’s showroom in Kingston. Observing (from left) are Managing Director of ATL, Danville Walker; and ATL’s Marketing Manager, Tanya Russell. The competition forms part of the Government’s World Bank-funded public education thrust to increase awareness of the Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project (ESEEP) and other energy-related developments in Jamaica.

8 years ago EnergyScienceTechnologyVision 2030

Government Saves $150 Million through ESEEP

Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says the Government realised savings of $150 million last year through the Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project (ESEEP). “That frees up money for other social programmes and to offset other expenses of the Government,” the Minister said. He was speaking at the Award of Prizes for the ‘Energy Matters...

8 years ago Community

Spotlight on Marcus Garvey in February

Jamaica’s first National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey, will be the focus for this year’s Grounation, under the theme ‘Garvey’s Ghost: Muse, Cultural Arts, Aesthetics, Freedom Song’. Grounation is the Jamaica Music Museum (JMM) flagship education and cultural community outreach programme. The event will be held each Sunday in the month of February at the Institute of Jamaica Lecture...

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon Audley Shaw (left), greets Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) General Manager, Country Department, Caribbean Group, Therese Turner-Jones, during Thursday’s (February 1) signing ceremony for €9.17 million (US$10 million) in grant funding under the European Union-Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF) for the Government’s energy management and efficiency project. The signing took place at the Ministry in Kingston. At centre is Director-General for International Cooperation and Development in the European Commission, Stefano Manservisi.

8 years ago EnergyFinance & Public ServiceVision 2030

Additional Funding for Energy Efficiency Programme

The Government has received additional funding support for its Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP) through a €9.17-million (US$10-million) grant from the European Union (EU). This is being allocated through the European Union-Caribbean Investment Fund Facility (EU-CIF) and will serve to promote more efficient use of energy resources by the State that would free up public funds through the reduction...

8 years ago Finance & Public Service

Country’s Rating Upgraded from Stable to Positive

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the country’s rating has been upgraded from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ by international rating agency, Fitch, as a result of macroeconomic improvements. He said these include further reduction in unemployment to a 10-year low at 10.3 per cent; stabilisation of the Jamaican dollar, which revalued to $125.50 against the US dollar...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck. (FILE)

8 years ago Justice

House Approves Amendments to Trafficking in Persons Act

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (January 30), passed amendments to the Trafficking in Persons Act to enable a judge to try trafficking offences without a jury. The amendments were made following reports from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) that a number of irregularities were discovered with trials for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) offences. Minister of...

Deputy Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Maxine Headlam (right), and President of the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA), Karlene Bisnott (second right), speak to Sales and Marketing Executive, Hodder Education, Frank Mark Phipps, about some of the books the company publishes and distributes. They were visiting booths mounted as part of the annual general meeting of JISA, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on January 31.

8 years ago EducationInformationYouth

Private Schools Encouraged to Partner with Government

Operators of private schools are being encouraged to further partner with the Government as it seeks to increase the placement of infants (aged zero to three) and special needs students in these institutions. The call comes from Deputy Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Maxine Headlam, who noted that accommodation for these children is one...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (third left), is assisted by Principal of the Mt. Alvernia High School, Stacey Reynolds (second left), to cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of a new block of classrooms at the St. James High School on Tuesday, January 30. Sharing the moment are Director of Region Four, Dr. Michelle Pinnock (left); Principal of the school, Joseph Williams (right); Chairman of the school Board, Reverend Alton Thelwell (second right); and students of the institution.

8 years ago EducationInformationYouth

Minister Reiterates Commitment to Take Schools off Shift System

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has reiterated that urgent steps are being taken by the Government to get schools across Jamaica, such as the St. James High School in Montego Bay, off the two-shift system. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the official opening of a new three-storey block of classrooms at the St....