Energy Minister, Hon Phillip Paulwell advises that no decision has been arrived at with respect to the divestment of any of the government’s shares in the state oil refinery Petrojam and that if and when an offer is received, the process would be subject to the oversight of the Contractor General and the Government’s Contracts Committee consistent with the divestment...

The Ministry of Finance and Planning will continue implementation of the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP), for which just over $35 million has been allocated in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House. The programme, which commenced in January 2013, is designed to support strengthening of the Financial Investigations Division (FID) by providing technical assistance to build...

The Government has allocated $370.2 million in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure towards the implementation of the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme. The Estimates were tabled in the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 19 by Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. One of the main objectives of the programme include increasing the capacity and...

Completion of the Joint Select Committee’s review of the Integrity Commission Bill is one of several key legislative engagements slated to be undertaken during 2015/16. This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, while delivering the Throne Speech, under the theme: ‘Partnership for Development: Inclusive Growth…Expanding Opportunities’, during the 2015/16 State Opening of Parliament on...

A telemedicine centre has opened at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, which will facilitate video consultation among doctors for effective diagnosis and treatment of children with cancers and blood disorders. The state-of-the-art facility, established at a cost of J$8 million, is an initiative of SickKids International in partnership with Scotiabank and Quick Play Media. It is one of six facilities...

Cabinet has approved the lease of 250 acres of land in Wallen, St. Catherine, to Red Stripe for the planting of cassava in support of the company’s plans to produce cassava as a substitute for imported barley.  This is in addition to the 36-acre property which was leased to Red Stripe in Bernard Lodge, St. Catherine, to plant cassava as...

The 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, to be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James, from June 13 to 18, is being positioned as a global forum to mobilise Jamaicans worldwide. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, said the scope of the conference is being broadened with the vision to attract members of the Diaspora...