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With international trade in bananas, especially to the European market, now open to all producers, countries such as Jamaica that previously enjoyed preferential treatment, will have to compete with larger banana producers. In an effort to help Jamaica and other countries adjust to the changes, the European Union (EU) established the Banana Support Programme in 1996. The initiative has two...

On Wednesday, May 9 (Teachers' Day), 25 recipients will be presented with the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation for their service to education. The medal is awarded to teachers who have made significant contribution to the development of Jamaica, through education. The award is given to a teacher who has served for a minimum of 15 years; who has displayed...

The Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE), Canada, will be planting trees in 45 of its adopted Jamaican basic schools to commemorate the nation's 45th year of Independence. President of PACE Canada, Jamaican-born Lorna King, made the announcement recently at an Adopt-A-School brunch, organized by the association in Toronto, Canada. She said the 20 year-old organization was planting...

Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies, Professor Rex Nettleford has said that in the Caribbean, it was through the exercise of the mind in its intellectual and imaginative modes, that the survival of the oppressed was guaranteed "It is in this area that the intangible heritage of the involuntary migrant ( African slave) found ideal/form/purpose duly...

The rehabilitation of Bath Botanical Gardens in St. Thomas is the national project for Labour Day 2007, which will be observed on May 23 under the theme: 'Honouring Our Ancestors.Strengthening Communities'. Chairman of the Project Sub-committee of the National Labour Day Secretariat, Dorothea Clarke told JIS News that the national project was quite fitting with this year's theme, since it...

Drs. Ouida and Leebert Wright were among five Jamaicans, who recently received the prestigious Harry Jerome Award, presented by the Canadian-based Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). The retired couple received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their accomplishments as educator and scientist, respectively, at the BBPA's 25th annual gala held at the Toronto Congress Centre. The other Jamaicans honoured were:...

Dozens of young persons yesterday (May 3) participated in 'Youth try-a-skill/entrepreneurship fair,' where they were tested and guided into areas of training and potential employment. The event, held at 60 Lady Musgrave Road, was organized by Minister of Education and Youth, Maxine Henry Wilson in collaboration with a number of government skills training agencies. Speaking with JIS News, Mrs. Henry...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies has defended the manner in which discussions were conducted by Mirant Corporation to sell its 80 per cent shareholding in the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), to the Japanese firm, Marubeni. Responding to the Opposition's call for public scrutiny of the negotiations leading to the sale of the JPSCo, the Finance Minister...

A contract valued at $10.7 million, has been signed between the Ministry of Justice and Technology Plus, for the installation of Court Security Systems in courthouses islandwide. Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Ministry's office in Kingston, yesterday (May 3), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Carol Palmer said that, "we will be installing various electronic devices in our courts...

The Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works will be seeking approval from Cabinet to transform the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) into an executive agency this financial year. The move, in addition to the privatization of the Motor Vehicle Inspection services, is expected to change the roles and functions of the ITA and transform it into a more efficient and...

Tuesday, May 8 will be observed as 'Read Across Jamaica Day' as part of a national initiative to promote reading and literacy. Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, read and signed the official proclamation at King's House yesterday (May 3), during a courtesy call by the executive of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), led by president, Hopeton...

Work is progressing on the capacity building aspect of the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), designed to improve the state of the criminal justice system in Jamaica. Trevor Libert, Management Information Systems Co-ordinator, with responsibility for the capacity building component, tells JIS News that this aspect provides for the strengthening of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Department...