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Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson-Miller has encouraged residents of Old Harbour, St. Catherine, to take full advantage of the "development possibilities" that will come about with the opening of Highway 2000. "The successful implementation of Highway 2000 across this area has opened up many development possibilities and I hope that you'll grasp these possibilities," the...

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has indicated that it will remain steadfast in its commitment to support institutional capacity building in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are involved in environment conservation. The steely resolve of TNC is timely, in light of the anticipated implementation of the New Companies Act early next year, which will call for greater fiscal and fiduciary responsibility on...

Civil servants have been urged to plan ahead for retirement, in order to retire with confidence, contentment and in comfort. "It is important to have a plan for retirement to be mentally, physically and spiritually prepared for retirement," said Dr. Fay Whitebourne, diabetes and menopause practitioner. She was speaking on the topic: 'Planning your future today and retiring with ease'...

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture has identified $87 million in its existing budget to be used in the repair of some 68 schools, which were severely damaged during Hurricane Ivan. Work has already commenced on 32 of these institutions. The allocation is in addition to assistance received from a number of entities to repair over 303 schools. According...

In keeping with Civil Service Week celebrations, approximately 366 civil servants were honoured by the Government yesterday (November 24), at King's House, for their long service to public office in Jamaica. Those honoured have served for at least 25 years in government ministries and departments. In the citation read by Camille Drake, Public Relations Consultant, the recipients were thanked for...

Chairman of the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, Dr. Carlton Davis is advocating the triple bottom line approach for private sector entities in Jamaica. The approach, he explained, entailed companies not only looking at their financial bottom line but also, their environmental and socio-economic responsiveness to communities. "I think that these [issues] are very important if we...

Come January 1, persons investing in companies will be given additional payment options when purchasing shares issued by those companies. This, as the new Companies Act 2004 has broadened the category of consideration deemed acceptable as payment for shares, in lieu of cash, to include debt security. Consideration normally includes such things as property and past service supplied to a...

Postal Corporation of Jamaica has issued a series of stamps to commemorate the centenary of the Jamaica Hotel Act of 1904. The law provided for incentives for hotel construction and stimulated the development of the tourist industry. The stamps, which are valued at $40, are available at post offices across the island. They feature personalities credited with the inception and...

Prime Minister has disclosed that over seventy thousand farmers and fisher-folk affected by Hurricane Ivan would as of Wednesday November 24 begin receiving benefits amounting to $300 Million. Mr. Patterson made the announcement during the tabling of a Ministry Paper outlining the progress of the national relief and recovery programme in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov. 23). He said the funds...

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have provided a $7.29 million grant for farmers in the parishes of St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Hanover, who were worst affected by Hurricane Ivan. Under the initiative, farmers will receive assistance with seedlings, fingerlings, irrigation equipment, farm tools and...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is seeking a US$25 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to provide financing for tourism and export-related projects. State Minister for Finance and Planning, Fitz Jackson, tabled a Ministry Paper in the House yesterday (Nov. 23), seeking approval for government to guarantee the loan. The money will provide resources to the DBJ...

As the government of Jamaica continues its thrust to provide adequate water supplies for all farming communities across the island, a contract valued at $53.5 million has been awarded to M&M Jamaica Limited for the construction of an irrigation system in Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth. The contract was signed this morning (Nov. 24) at the Old Hope Road offices of...