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The Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC) will continue initiatives to modernize the country's apparel and fashion industry, through networking with important stakeholders. As contained in a Ministry Paper tabled in the House of Representatives earlier this week by Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell, the JBDC will also use its annual conference to bring focus to the...

Jamaica Exotic Flavours and Essences Company Limited (JEFE) is expected to spend a total of $35 million this fiscal, as the company works to develop a viable local flavour industry. This was disclosed in a document tabled in the House of Representatives this week by the Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell. The 90 per cent government-owned...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) will be expanding its consumer education programme during the current fiscal year, through the production of messages to reach at least 1.6 million consumers. As contained in a Ministry Paper tabled in the House of Representatives this week by Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell, the messages will be distributed through the...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Donovan Stanberry, has appealed to the island's coffee farmers to form a strong lobby group, which would represent their best interests. The Permanent Secretary, who was addressing a stakeholders' workshop at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston recently, said that, "we're very concerned in the Ministry that an industry like the...

It seems like just yesterday that I was here like this with you at the Half Moon Conference Centre in Montego Bay reflecting on our partnership within Jamaica's lead sector. In fact, it has been one whole year - almost to the date (Last year it was on June 10), and as usual, we have had a tremendous ride. In...

Entities that produce bottled water are being warned that their activities will come under stricter guidelines when the Ministry of Health's drinking water quality regulations come into effect. Minister Horace Dalley, who issued this warning while addressing the opening of a stakeholder workshop on the preparation of the regulations held recently at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, pointed out that "there...

Twenty seven public hospitals across the island are now included in the Energy Efficiency Programme. The programme, which aims to promote energy conservation in the public sector, is jointly funded by the Government of Jamaica and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at a cost of US$1.35 million. "Public hospitals are major consumers of energy in Jamaica, accounting for nine...

The Jamaican economy grew by 2.5 per cent last year, which was the best performance in more than 12 years. The Government's management of the economy leading to this result has been commended by both local and international economists, including officials of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund. However, there continues to be criticisms about the economy's ability to create jobs,...

A total of 3,190 youngsters have benefited from the free health care regime, which was officially implemented by the Government on May 28. Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan, made the announcement at the weekly post Cabinet press briefing held on Monday (June 4) at Jamaica House. "The numbers are in excess of what a normal week would be,...

The Universal Access Fund Company Limited, during the current fiscal year, will place focus on completing all approved projects to ensure wider availability of broadband access across the country. As contained in a Ministry Paper, which was tabled in the House of Representatives this week by Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell, it is expected that the...

Executive Director of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), Brian Wynter, has said that the process being undertaken by government to reform the pension industry will result in a more vibrant and competitive sector. "We believe that after a few years, as these reforms take effect, we will have a more vibrant pension industry that will contain a suitable level of...

A total of $6.13 million has been disbursed to 14 micro and small businesses under the Government's Small Business Fund. The information is contained in a Ministry Paper tabled in the House of Representatives on June 6 by the Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell. In addition to these disbursements, 18 projects are being processed under the...