Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, is calling on multilateral agencies to provide a combination of grant funding and concessional loans to assist Caribbean islands severely affected by the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Minister Shaw made the call as he addressed the Caribbean and International Partners Action Dialogue on Hurricanes (CIPADH), held at the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has declared his full support for chess in Jamaica because of its role in the development of the mind and the encouragement of strategic thinking. Addressing the official launch of the three-day Jamaica International Chess Festival, at a cocktail reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in New Kingston on October 13, Mr....

Senior Director of Technical Service in the Ministry of Tourism, David Dobson, says Jamaica and other tourism-dependent countries must consistently evaluate the industry’s economic, environmental and social impact globally to ensure the sector remains sustainable and relevant. Mr. Dobson, who described this as “responsible tourism”, said this approach would serve to minimize negative environmental and impacts, while generating greater economic...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is urging Municipal Corporations to maximize the revenue generating potential from the requisite payment of fees by businesses and residents for services the councils administer, in keeping with the beneficiaries’ statutory obligations. Among the categories of revenues, which he said are at the Corporations’ disposal, are: property taxes, trade license and...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, is urging young people residing in rural areas to remain at home and contribute to the economic development of their communities. “I implore you to see the positives in every aspect of your community development and try to remain at home to build your community. It is only by rural...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Ministry plans to conduct an audit of community standpipes islandwide that are managed by municipal corporations, as part of measures to reduce the cost to deliver domestic water to residents through these outlets. He said the exercise, which the Ministry will be seeking to carry out in tandem with...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says come next year, work will begin to bring an end to the importation of tomatoes, carrots, red peas, thyme and green gungo peas, through increased production. He noted that so far this year, farmers have produced 90 per cent of the Irish potatoes consumed...