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As Jamaica moves to improve its skills in greenhouse technology in order to boost agricultural production and local food security, 12 young persons have been enrolled in a Modified Environment Agriculture Certification Programme at the Ebony Park HEART Academy in Clarendon. The 12 young persons are learning skills to correctly fabricate greenhouses, as well as use protected horticultural and agricultural...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has said that there is no evidence that the 'Swine Influenza' which continues to devastate several countries across the globe, originated in animals. At a meeting of the National Emergency Animal Disease Committee (NEADCOM) yesterday (April 29), at the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry, it was stressed that the disease appears to be...

Over $32 billion in capital investments were facilitated by the Government's investment promotion arm, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), during the 2008/09 fiscal year, Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, told Parliament today (Wednesday, April 29). Making his presentation in the 2009/10 Budget Debate at Gordon House, Mr. Samuda pointed out that while final numbers were still...

The Government is exploring the possibility of importing damaged vehicles, which will be repaired in free-zone facilities for re-export, as part of a review of the motor vehicle policy now underway. Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, made the announcement in his contribution to the 2009/10 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (April 29)....

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, is reporting that the Scientific Research Council (SRC) has recorded significant achievements in its undertakings during the 2008/09 fiscal year. Making his contribution in the 2009/10 Budget Debate at Gordon House on Wednesday April 29, Mr. Samuda said the SRC's successes came, primarily, in the areas of formulations, crop/product and wastewater...

Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, tabled Jamaica's National Export Policy (NEP) during his 2009/10 Budget Debate presentation at Gordon House today (Wednesday, April 29). Mr. Samuda said that the policy was developed by the Government's investment promotion arm, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), and the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA), with assistance from the International Trade Centre...

Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has suspended the granting of certification to new businesses to operate as used car dealers, and has instructed that no new import licences must be issued for overaged vehicles without specific approval. The Minister has also directed the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) to conduct an audit of all certified used car...

Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture, Roger Clarke, has recommended that the Government accelerate its land reform and divestment programme to stimulate agricultural production. Mr. Clarke also urged the Government to identify parcels of land it owns in each parish, and distribute them, by way of reversible lease, to small farmers. "Any farmer occupying Government lands and not producing, give it to...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has said that the long awaited Government Small Business Procurement Policy has been approved by the Cabinet. Mr. Samuda said that, under the policy, a minimum of 15 per cent of Government procurement will be reserved for micro and small enterprises. "These policy measures are intended to ensure that some of...

In light of the current outbreak of the Swine Influenza worldwide, Minister of Health and Environment, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has announced that an additional supply of 1,000 doses of antiviral medication used to combat the 'Flu', will arrive in the island within two weeks. This supply will be in addition to 450 doses of the anti-virals that the Ministry currently...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has reiterated the commitment of the organisation to empowering farmers and facilitating increased production within the agricultural sector. Giving the main address at the 100th annual general meeting and 10th farmers' exposition of the Portland Association of Branch Societies, held recently at the JAS compound in Port Antonio, Senator Grant...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, will be meeting with nurses at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow to discuss issues relating to their job reclassification exercise. Addressing today's (April 29) post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister said that he, along with the Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer; former Minister without Portfolio in...