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KINGSTON — Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says community-based tourism has the potential to significantly boost employment for persons in rural Jamaica, while further driving the development of the product.   Speaking at the National Consultation on Community-based tourism, held at the Devonshire Restaurant at Devon House, in Kingston on September 8, Mr. Bartlett said the policy framework for the community-based...

MONTEGO BAY — Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Charles Sinclair has encouraged residents of St. James to pay their property taxes now, in light of a recent survey which showed that there is a low compliance rate in the parish. Addressing a recent Mayor's forum at the Flanker Primary and Junior High School, Mayor Sinclair said that, "the findings of...

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives passed the First Supplementary Estimates 2011/12 shortly after 11 pm Thursday September 8, after ending a stalemate between Government and Opposition members of the Public Administrations and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) over the wording of its report. The protracted delay was ended late Thursday afternoon, after the Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, intervened. He...

KINGSTON — Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, says the 20011/2012 school year began on September 5 with few glitches. Mr. Holness pointed out that of the more than 1,000 schools; he was exposed to only 20 complaints. “Credit must be given to the hardworking principals, vice principals, teachers, ancillary staff, administrative staff and the staff at the Ministry of...

KINGSTON — Businessman and philanthropist, William Shagoury, was installed the new Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Clarendon, on September 7. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Jamalco Sports Club, Halse Hall, in Clarendon. In his message, Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, said the appointment of Mr....

MONTEGO BAY — Trelawny, and its main town, Falmouth, got another boost Wednesday September 7, when the University of Technology (UTech) officially opened its western campus at the Greenfield Stadium. Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of UTech, Professor Errol Morrison, said that the university has entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for the...

KINGSTON — Four hospitals are to be certified by the Ministry of Health (MOH), as a part of its commitment to the Baby- Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). The facilities are the St. Ann’s Bay and Alexandria Hospitals, St. Ann, May Pen Hospital, Clarendon and the Mandeville Hospital, Manchester. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank session on Wednesday...

KINGSTON — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has assured wood furniture manufacturers that he will seek to increase export of their products, to drive development of the sector, and expand employment. "We have exported approximately US$170, 000 worth of wooden furniture over the last year and, at the same time, we imported approximately US$17 million....

KINGSTON — Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has announced that the Tackling Child Labour Through Education (TACKLE) Jamaica project will be spending some $25 million to help build policies and promulgate appropriate legislation to combat the incidence of child labour in Jamaica.  The Minister, who was addressing the TACKLE Jamaica Stakeholders’ Consultation at the Wyndham New...

KINGSTON — This week's debate on the First Supplementary Estimate for 2011/12 has been postponed until Thursday September 8. The Estimates were tabled by Minister of Finance, the Hon Audley Shaw, in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 30, and should have been debated Wednesday September 7, as the Government seeks to complete the process prior to the International...

KINGSTON — Trade Unionist, Sir Leroy Trotman, has emphasised  that tripartite social dialogue is a critical component in establishing a partnership in the "real economy" for wealth creation and sustainability. The real economy, he explained, is made up of  Government, employers, workers and workers' representatives. Sir  Leroy, a Barbadian, was making his presentation at a  seminar hosted by the Public...

KINGSTON — The Bethel Apostolic Basic School, located on South Camp Road, in Kingston, has received educational supplies, including books and pencils, from the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Head of  the  Branch,  Assistant Commissioner of  Police (ACP), Justin Felice, who handed over  the supplies on September 7, at the school, told JIS News that the Bethel ...