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The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has embarked on a series of activities islandwide, aimed at heightening awareness and understanding of Jamaica’s National Development Plan – Vision 2030 Jamaica. Central to these efforts is the publication and dissemination of an 88-page popular version of the original 400-page document, which was unveiled at the Vision 2030 Jamaica launch of the planning...

KINGSTON — Former Managing Director of the National Commercial Bank (NCB), Jeffrey Cobham, told the FINSAC Commission of Enquiry Tuesday (April 19), that some local businesses which wilted under the 1990s financial meltdown, could have had a greater chance of recovery with reduced interest rates. However, he said that while the situation was constantly discussed with then Minister of Finance...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce will be stepping up its campaign of encouraging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become certified in ISO quality management system and other equivalent certifications. This has been stated by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Reginald Budhan, who also informed that a quality management system is integral to the improvement...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Arthur Williams, has responded to queries from several media houses about talk of a fourth year of wage freeze. In rejecting the suggestions, Senator Williams emphasized:“There was never any talk of, plan for, nor contemplation of any fourth year of wage freeze”. Senator Williams says that Mr....

KINGSTON — The Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Programme has received an additional $103 million in the 2011/12 estimates, now before the House of Representatives. The programme seeks to increase resilience and reduce risks associated with natural hazards in vulnerable areas, as an adaptive measure to climate change, contributing to sustainable development in Jamaica. It also aims to...

KINGSTON — Morant Bay High School, St. Thomas, recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary with an Open Day and Career Day Expo under the theme "Showcasing Our Talent, Preparing for the Future." Organised by the Guidance Counselling Department and Teacher/Librarian, Alicia King, the day allowed students to learn about various careers, and showcase their talent at a concert which followed. “Because...

KINGSTON — Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to a healthy and stable Jamaican population, through the repositioning of primary health care. He said this is evident in the execution of the National Health Fund (NHF)-financed $300 million Health Centre Renewal Programme, over the past two years, which has targetted some 60 primary healthcare facilities...

KINGSTON — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, yesterday April 19 presented an elated Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, with the Edna Manley piece, ‘The Trees Are Joyful’, which was recovered and turned in to his Ministry, yesterday. The prized sculpture was stolen from Unity House in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, last week....

MANDEVILLE — Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), James Forbes, is crediting the police’s recent success in fighting crime, in large part, to the determination of citizens to rid their communities of criminals. He noted that "for the first time in recent memory, the island of Jamaica is breathing in relief that the crime rate (especially) murder is going down.  People...

KINGSTON — From April 19 to 20, residents of western St. Thomas will be able to exchange their high-energy consuming incandescent bulbs for low-energy fluorescent lamps, as the final phase of the Cuba-Jamaica Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Project moves to that section of the parish. The distribution exercise has been underway in the parish since Friday April 15, with residents...

KINGSTON — A sum of $6.9 million has been set aside in the 2011/2012 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to continue measures to phase-out the use of ozone depleting substances (ODS), and address the illegal trade of such substances. The initiatives will be carried out under the Montreal Protocol for the Phasing out of Ozone Depleting...

KINGSTON — Jamaica's effort to develop a strategic spatial framework, which would guide national development and investment decision-making, is being enhanced through a $44.5 million allocation to the National Spatial Plan (NSP) project in the Office of the Prime Minister. The plan will ensure the optimal use of the country’s land resources and outline the framework for their effective use...