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KINGSTON — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, is imploring players in the export and productive sectors to ensure that goods destined for the international market are of the highest quality in order to be competitive. “We have to be competitive so that our prices are razor sharp, and quality and quantity must be consistent,” he said,...

KINGSTON — Parliamentarians from throughout the Commonwealth are meeting in Kingston for discussions on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with the hope of adopting similar models in their jurisdictions.  The two-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) workshop, which got underway yesterday morning at the Wyndham hotel, has attracted international experts and parliamentarians from Uganda, Kenya, Pakistan, and India, among other countries....

KINGSTON — The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, says the Government’s move to relinquish its interest in the cocoa industry will add value to the sector and enhance competitiveness. “(We want to) get private sector engagement to deal with primary output (and)  build value to create better marketing opportunities,” he stated. The Minister was speaking at...

KINGSTON — Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has underscored the need for greater collaboration among tourism-dependent nations in the Caribbean, to develop regional capabilities to safeguard earnings which the industry generates for their economies. Speaking at the opening of a two-week Caribbean Canadian Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue, at the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) training centre, in St. Andrew, on June...

MONTEGO BAY — The heavy rains lashing the island for the last few days have had little or no impact on the western parishes. Reports from the Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinators in the parishes of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, have outlined only three minor land slippages and one blocked road in the region. Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator for Trelawny, Dion...

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is lauding workers and other players in the tourism industry, who continue to demonstrate excellence in service delivery. He said that it is the top-quality service that keeps bringing visitors back to the destination and distinguishes and separates Jamaica from the rest of the competition. “Almost everyone I meet as I...

WASHINGTON, DC — Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding says the economic measures that the Government has put in place are now bearing fruit, and are set to put the country on a sound economic path.  Delivering a lecture at the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., yesterday, the Prime Minister pointed out that while the country is experiencing economic growth...

The Meteorological Service has continued the Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes until 5 p.m. tomorrow. A flash flood warning means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on...

MONTEGO BAY — Director of Crime Prevention and Community Safety in the Ministry of National Security, Courtney Brown, is urging young people to get involved in sports. He said that sports are not just about fun and fitness, noting that one can also learn a number of important life lessons. “Sports teaches us about life and the lessons for success...

An update on the Christiana Development Road, in Manchester,  was provided today, by Communications Manager at the National Works Agency (NWA),  Stephen Shaw. He told JIS News in an interview that the development road would be constructed under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP), at a cost of US$8.9 million.  “Preliminary estimates by the NWA had put the cost of...

KINGSTON — The tobacco control bill, which seeks to combat the use and consequences of tobacco products, will soon be put before Parliament. “I expect, within three weeks, to have the matter placed before the Parliament and we would have had the framework tobacco legislation in place. The Chief Parliamentary Council is making the final amendments to the documents after...

Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal yesterday presented gold awards to some 19 young people from high schools and community groups across the island,for successfully completing various pursuits under the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Jamaica. At a ceremony at King’s House, the youngsters received the highest honour for their outstanding achievement in skill areas, community service, recreation and expedition in...