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A national spatial unit will be established within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) by December, Minister without portfolio with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, told Parliament on Wednesday (July 22). Mr. Vaz said that the new unit will work with all relevant Government agencies to develop various aspects of a National Spatial (land...

The Ministry of Energy and Mining is pursuing the productive utilisation of rehabilitated mined out bauxite lands for agricultural initiatives, State Minister, Hon. Laurence Broderick, has announced. This comes against the background of concerns resonating "over several decades" and heightened by the onset of the global economic recession, of the need to find solutions to improve the standard of living,...

On Monday (July 27), the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) will commence its annual textbook survey, to provide the public with a price list of books available in shops across the island. Addressing a JIS Think Tank session Thursday (July 23), Director of the CAC's Western Region, Pash Fuller, pointed out that the survey aids the public in ascertaining the prices...

Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has asked the Government to seek a "more suitable alternative site" for the establishment of the proposed Hospitality School. He said the institution, which will train persons in the hospitality industry, is proposed to be established at the Richmond Hill Hotel in Montego Bay St. James, the purchase of which the Ministry of...

Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has urged the Government to consider extending the stimulus package offered to tourism stakeholders to counter the impact of the global economic recession on the sector. The stimulus package, which was announced by Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding late last year, and which expired on July 1, offered a 50 per cent...

Cabinet has approved drafting instructions for the legal establishment of the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC). This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, during his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21). Mr. Holness informed that a structure for the JTC has been agreed on, while job descriptions for...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick, has said that the Ministry is working to promote synergies among the various segments of the minerals industry. Making his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21), Mr. Broderick said this is necessary to build a strong, integrated and...

As the parish of Manchester seeks to pursue other economic opportunities, following the downturn in bauxite production, General Manager of the Christiana Potato Growers Association, Alvin Murray, is emphasising that agriculture can boost prosperity in the parish. He cited the many untapped areas in the agricultural sector where persons can earn a viable living, while addressing a seminar on July...

The Universal Access Fund (UAF) has collected $5.5 billion to date and of this amount, approximately $2.8 billion has been committed to the e-Learning project. This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), with responsibility for Information and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz on Wednesday (July 22), during his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral...

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM and the European Union must address problems being faced by cultural practitioners in the region, who are seeking to export their services to Europe. Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the request at a two-day forum on culture and civil society, as they relate to the EPA, which opened...

Member of Parliament for West Central St James, Clive Mullings, has said that the current financial crisis presents an opportunity for Jamaica, and other developing countries, to critically review issues like debt management, fiscal discipline and debt re-negotiation. "It is time for extraordinary leadership to seize the moment, and not merely repeat quotable quotes of 'a crisis is a terrible...

Software to automate the processing of the new Certificates of Title is currently being tested, and should be in place by September 1, 2009. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information and Telecommunications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, on Wednesday (July 22), during his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House...