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Plans are in gear to introduce a chocolate bar which, when dissolved in water, produces the traditional Jamaican chocolate tea. Speaking with JIS News, Secretary Manager of the Cocoa Industry Board, Naburn Nelson, disclosed that the bar will be made from the traditional cocoa beans, which have been processed for modern convenience. "You will get a bar of the chocolate...

Kingston, Jamaica will be one of the four venues for the road shows of the BBC World Service's global music talent search titled, The Next Big Thing. The Next Big Thing, which broadcasts on both the BBC World Service and BBC World television, is in its second year, and showcases exciting new music, bands and performers. Last year's winner, Silva,...

Recruiters from six different Canadian-based companies, seeking to address labour shortages in the construction, hospitality and the health care service sectors in British Columbia, conducted interviews with Jamaican workers at a job fair held on the weekend. The two-day event was arranged by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through its Canadian Overseas Employment Programme (COEP), and was held...

Cabinet has approved $300 million to begin repairs on several roads, gullies and drains which were damaged during the recent heavy rains. Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry, who made this disclosure on (October 23), post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House said that preliminary estimates of the damage caused by the heavy rains were put at $631 million. "Of the...

The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Telecommunications yesterday launched the first in a series of focus group meetings to commence a public education programme designed to inform the public of its role, rights, responsibilities and benefits under the Electronic Transactions Act (2007), as well as to stimulate interest in e-transactions among the business sector. The programme was launched by Minister...

Five of the island's post offices have been selected to introduce a range of commercial and e-transaction services under a new pilot initiative being implemented by the Energy, Mining and Telecommunications Ministry. Speaking on (October 23) at the launch of the Public Education Programme for the Electronic Transactions Act at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Minister of Energy, Mining and Telecommunications,...

Cabinet has awarded a contract valued at $31 million to Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Limited for the supply of computer equipment and software to the Jamaica Library Service. "This is a programme designed to improve access to Internet and computer technology right across Jamaica by utilizing the library network. The programme will go a great way in lessening the digital divide...

A Committee headed by Professor Rex Nettleford has been appointed by Cabinet to review the system for the awarding of national honours and awards. Other members of the committee are Dr. Oswald Harding; Professor Barry Chavannes; Professor Verene Shepherd; Mrs. Jean Barnes; Mrs. Madge Barrett; Mrs. Seraj Lakasing; Mr. Merrick Needham; Mr. Easton Lee and Mr. Hugh Nash. Speaking at...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Audley Shaw, has encouraged Jamaicans in Washington to deepen their engagement with Jamaica and to meaningfully assist the island's economic reform and growth agenda. The Minister's appeal came during an address to a capacity audience at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington on Friday (Oct. 19), where he stressed the importance of the Jamaican Diaspora...

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has lauded the work of the overseas missions in opening up diplomatic doors that have created investment opportunities and economic development for Jamaica. Dr. Baugh, who was speaking to staff at the Jamaican Consulate General in Miami recently, said he was pleased with the outstanding level of expertise displayed throughout...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. the Hon. Ronald Robinson departed the island this morning (Monday) for Ottawa, Canada, to participate in a number of activities to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Canada. Dr. Robinson will attend a commemorative reception on Wednesday hosted by the Speaker of...

As of January 1, 2008 the total amount of property tax collected by the government will go directly to the parish councils.The move is in keeping with strategies that the government intends to pursue over the next two years to place more responsibility in the hands of the local authorities as part of the reform process. "That money is to...