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Jamaica continues to benefit from the PetroCaribe Agreement, under which the country finds it a little less burdensome to cope with the payment for spiralling oil prices. Following his participation in the 5th Extraordinary PetroCaribe Summit in Venezuela earlier this year, Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, informed the House of Representatives, that the Summit had considered the unprecedented increases in oil...

The Ministry of Justice, has focussed on a potpourri of areas since September 2007, aimed at making the system more accessible to all Jamaicans. To this end Restorative Justice, and measures to combat corruption, were among the areas that took centre stage to complement Prime Minister, Bruce Golding's quest, to protect and defend the rights of Jamaicans. Most recently, Minister...

The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities indicates that negative perception and attitude towards disability, has resulted in the isolation and exclusion of persons with disabilities from the mainstream of society. As a result, they are faced with a number of problems, especially in the areas of education, training, employment, medical care, housing, and recreation. Those with disabilities are amongst...

The Manchester Division, of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, has announced the commencement of a series of Community Fire Safety Awareness Meetings, for the parish. Acting Deputy Superintendent of the Division, Neville Bennett, made the announcement recently, at a meeting of the Manchester Parish Council. He stated that the meetings are to be conducted over a three year period, adding that...

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Ronald Robinson, has expressed appreciation to the People's Republic of China, for that country's recent contribution to the relief effort, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Gustav. "That we can rely on each other in times of need, is a mark of the close friendship we enjoy at all levels....

Chief Procurement Officer in the Ministry of Education, Leon Fraser, has disclosed that more than $48 million has so far been spent on the issuance of contracts to manufacture school furniture, some of which are already being delivered, despite the challenges being faced with access. "To date, we have ordered furniture in the region of $48 million, and that dollar...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, is among the heads of state of several countries in attendance at the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting, now underway at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in Manhattan, New York, U.S.A. The opening plenary session got underway just after 10:00 am (NY time), with a diverse group of world leaders in an action-oriented...

The first year in office was hectic for the new Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, whose portfolio also includes Entertainment, Community Development, and Women's and Gender Affairs. In her wide ranging contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate titled "Defining Ourselves," Minister Grange said, "I have the honour to lead this Ministry at a time of social...

The CARICOM Competition Commission, which was established in January this year, could become functional by early next year. This was noted by Attorney-at-law, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, one of the seven Commissioners on the CARICOM Competition Commission, in an interview with JIS News. "As you know, the Commission is not yet off the ground. We had a meeting in February and...

The achievements of the Land Information Council of Jamaica (LICJ) were recognized at the recently concluded 4th Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Caribbean Conference held in the Cayman Islands. URISA is a non-profit association of professionals involved in improving urban and regional environments through the use of information technology. The URISA conference was held under the theme 'Evolution...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, has informed that the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav on August 28, has resulted in 79 per cent damage to Jamaica's banana and plantain industry. "The Eastern Banana Estate and the St. Mary Banana Estate, sustained damage of 95 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. The Jamaica Producers Group Limited, operators of both...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, has noted that higher inflation and interest rates will have an effect both on the country's revenue and expenditure. "The higher inflation could in fact lead to increased revenue, particularly with respect to income and consumption taxes. The Government of Jamaica, is also a purchaser of goods and services, and accordingly,...