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Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) have until next January to access grant funding under the Quality Jamaica Project (QJP), to implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 and 14000. These quality management systems are considered to be the global standard for product quality and safety. They contribute to making the development,...

Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell, will represent Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, at an event in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, September 30. Mr. Paulwell will be the guest speaker at the 28th anniversary dinner and charitable presentation of the Independent United Order of Solomon, scheduled to take place at the Rameses Shriners, 3100 Keele, beginning at...

Micro, small and medium size enterprises will be able to access up to $5 million for working capital and to purchase fixed assets, under the $1 billion loan facility for the sector, which has been established by government. The revolving credit facility, which was announced by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in her Budget presentation in May, is being financed...

Submissions are now being welcomed for the 2007 Commonwealth Writers Prize (CWP). A release from the Commonwealth Foundation said books can be entered on-line or by downloading and filling out the entry form available on the CWP website. The prize is open to any citizen of the Commonwealth and any work of prose fiction, that is, a novel or collection...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, has said that the government is committed to employment creation through small business development and fully supported initiatives to promote entrepreneurship. He noted that, "there is a shared recognition that the combined effort of the government and the private sector is required to meet these objectives. The Government has no intention from...

It is noteworthy that just one day after observing World Tourism Day, we are here to witness the signing of an agreement which will result in one of the largest and most ambitious tourism projects ever initiated by the Government of Jamaica. This US$2 billion Harmony Cove development will have a most significant and far-reaching impact on the tourism landscape...

Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, has said that by creating a friendly environment for persons with disabilities, Jamaica would be better able to attract tourists, who are physically challenged. Mrs. Assamba was speaking at the official launch of the Friendly City project yesterday (Sept. 27) at the Hilton Kingston hotel. An initiative of the Ministry of...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (Sept. 26) approved government's guarantee of a US$5 million loan to the Development Bank of Jamaica from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The money will be on loan to approved financial intermediaries (AFIs), which will in turn, disburse funds to small and medium sized entities involved in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining and...

Over 300 civil servants based in Portland, who have successfully completed training in a wide cross-section of areas under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Training Programme, will be graduating today (September 28). Speaking with JIS News, Principal Director, Corporate Management and Development (CMD) in the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Leonie Harris said that the ceremony will take place at...

The Registrar General's Department (RGD) was presented with the Public Sector Leadership Award by the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) on September 26, for the outstanding support given to small and medium enterprises. The award was presented by JEF President, Audrey Hinchcliffe, to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Operations at the RGD, Bryan Aikman, at the JEF's...

Several events will be staged in Portland to observe Health Month from October 1 to October 31. The events, which are being planned by the Portland Parish Health Committee, will include a church service on October 1, in Buff Bay; an official launching ceremony on October 3 in Port Antonio; health fora on October 9 and 12 in Port Antonio...

Several activities are being planned by Community Development Committees (CDCs) in St. Thomas, to highlight Youth and Community Month in November. These events include a community leaders awards ceremony, a sports day and a community day. This was announced by Field Services Manager of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Clement Battieste, at the Port Morant Development Area Committee meeting, held...