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The old Goodyear Tyre Factory in White Horses, St. Thomas is to be converted into a call centre operation, through funding from the charity group, Upliftment Jamaica. "They intend to establish a call centre facility and over time, hundreds of residents of the parish will be employed here after being trained," said Commerce, Science and Technology Minister, Phillip Paulwell.He was...

American civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton has challenged the more privileged Jamaicans to reach out to the less fortunate in the society. Rev. Sharpton, who was delivering the keynote address at the 5th annual Upliftment Jamaica awards and fundraising gala held on December 10 at White Horses, St. Thomas, chastised those in the society who "go through life without...

The Garvey Maceo High School in Clarendon has won the second annual peer counselling competition organized by the Peace in Life Counselling Centre, a non-government organization, which is supported by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ). The competition, which was held at the Hotel Versalles in May Pen on Friday (Dec. 9) saw Garvey Maceo emerging victorious after competing with...

The Ministry of Finance has identified $1.35 billion to be spent on a flood damage repair programme between January and March next year. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday (December 12), Minister of Information, Senator Burchell Whiteman explained that the amount would be spent on priority areas, including rehabilitation works carried over from Hurricane Ivan. "The...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is anticipating double-digit growth for the five-month winter tourist season which begins on December 15. "December and the rest of the winter season is looking very strong...we are expecting in excess of 10 per cent growth for the industry," said Deputy Director of Tourism, David Shields. Mr. Shields has credited the strong growth to among...

The government has spent some $10 million to enhance security measures at the island's two international Airports. Speaking with JIS News, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security, Gilbert Scott said the changes would take effect on December 12, as most of the improvements would be in place. He cautioned though that some of the technologies to be introduced...

The Senate last Friday (Dec. 9) approved a motion calling on Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, to urgently conclude the ongoing investigations into the operations of the sugar industry and arrange for assistance to the sector to prevent the further loss of foreign exchange to the economy. The private members' motion, which was laid by Leader of Opposition...

With a budget of just under $200 million, the Research and Development Division (RDD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, is reaping success in its mission to generate information on appropriate technology for improved productivity in agriculture. The RDD was supplemented with monies from a special fund, which was used to increase the performance of the agriculture sector. In addition the...

As part of its Values and Attitudes programme in schools, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) staged a Christmas Treat for approximately 200 basic and prep school students from within the parish of St. James, at the Meeting Place on Howard Cooke Boulevard, in Montego Bay, on Friday, December 9. According to Corporate Relations Manager at the UDC, Joan Smalling, the...

A search is on in the United Kingdom to find an actor to once again bring to life the character 'Ivan Martin', in a stage adaptation of the 70's iconic Jamaican film the 'Harder They Come'. 'Ivan' was the lead character played by reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff who developed an international following after starring in the 1972 film that has...

The Government is seeking to deepen ties between Jamaica and Cuba, particularly in the areas of water and housing development.Minister of Water and Housing, Donald Buchanan recently led a delegation to Cuba, where meetings were held with the Cuban Minister of Water, Jorge Aspiolea Roig and the President of the National Housing Institute of Cuba, Victor Ramirez Ruiz over the...

Jamaican exporters are presently working in earnest to meet changes that will be required under international Hazard Analysis and Control Points (HACCP) agreements as of January 1, 2006. Agri Business Coordinator with the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA), Ainsworth Riley explained to JIS News that Jamaican Exporters had always been able to adhere to international export regulations and were ready and...