Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government is seeking to maintain and build on the momentum resulting from the 2.2 per cent rate of economic growth recorded during the July to September quarter. In reiterating that this was the highest out-turn since 2007, Mr. Shaw said Jamaica’s macroeconomic environment was stabilising, with the prospects for further...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging adults to exercise caution when purchasing toys for children during the Christmas season. Acting Director of Communications at the CAC, Dorothy Campbell, said shoppers should look out for defective toys that could pose a danger to children. She is advising persons to avoid buying toys for small children that have sharp edges that...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Ministry will be relaunching the ‘Spruce Up Jamaica’ programme in January 2017. He said the beautification programme, which initially started in 2007, will ensure that resort towns are maintained in pristine condition. “We want to ensure our resort areas will lead by example in sustaining a clean and healthy environment for both...

Jamaica is on track to meet the quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets under the new precautionary standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Keith Duncan, gave assurance that with the positive macroeconomic indicators for the October review period, the country will likely meet the targets for December. “After reviewing the...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, says the Government is committed to a long-term action plan aimed at supporting the development of persons with disabilities. “The groundwork has been laid with the passage of the National Disability Act. Inclusive social services, disability rights and targeted service provisions are all part of this legislation,” she pointed out. Mrs....

Newly appointed Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon, says he will be placing focus on improving communication with the public in order to enhance transparency and raise awareness about the work of the entity. “We intend to be far more open and transparent, to communicate more and keep them (the public) in the loop,...

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Keith Duncan, is confident that the Government’s economic programme under the precautionary standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be beneficial to ordinary Jamaicans. “What this means for ordinary Jamaicans is that growth is equal to more jobs, greater tax revenues, greater fiscal space... which is more money to spend...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will be carrying out an assessment of parish council buildings to identify those in need of repairs. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure at a sensitisation session with local government representatives on Tuesday (December 13), at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James. He cited the St. Thomas Parish...

Local artisans will be given the opportunity to display and sell their products at the upcoming Christmas Village to be held on Friday (December 16) on the Ministry of Tourism grounds in New Kingston. The artisans were among the 180 participants who benefited from training in craft enhancement and business planning, as part of an 18-month Craft Enhancement Programme, which...