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The government will spend $24 million this financial year for the development of an Energy Services Company (ESCO) Industry in Jamaica. Details of this allocation are contained in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The allocation will go towards increasing public awareness of opportunities that exist in the ESCO industry and benefits to be gained...

A sum of $7.5 million has been allocated to the Institutional Strengthening of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) III project, as contained in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure. The project seeks to ensure an effective utilization of the government of Jamaica/European Commission co-operation funds, enabling the work to be performed efficiently and effectively, as stipulated in the Cotonou Agreement....

The reading and mathematics skills of students at targeted schools should see some improvement, following an allocation of $227.59 million to the Jamaica Basic Education Project. This is contained in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives. Being implemented by the Government of Jamaica,with funding from the United States Agency for International Development(USAID), the project aims...

The Government of Jamaica is to spend some $25.7 million to conclude work on the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction project this fiscal year. The sum, which is contained in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, will go towards conducting project evaluation; convening project steering committee meetings; and to complete and close the...

The Coffee Competitiveness Enterprise Programme is to receive $10.4 million this fiscal year, to help small farmers improve productivity, and producers to acquire appropriate tools and technologies. The project, as outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, and being implemented by the Coffee Industry Board, seeks to provide capacity building of co-operatives in the central and northern regions of the...

The Government has allocated some $30 million for the continuation of works under the National Spatial Plan (NSP) project in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The plan will provide the strategic framework to guide urban development and investment decision making. It will also ensure optimal use of the nation’s land resources, and outline the...

The Government is to spend some $18 million on a project aimed at protecting the livelihoods and food security of residents of vulnerable communities. The sum is allocated to the Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas project, as contained in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Formerly launched in November 2012,...

Work under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) forms part of activities to commence this month through the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP), for which some $2.5 billion has been budgeted. As detailed in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, currently being reviewed by Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee, the MIDP aims to continue road improvement works and attendant activities islandwide. Envisaged...

The University of Technology (UTech) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM) is expected to be completed this fiscal year, following an allocation of $343.6 million. This is set out in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The allotment has been provided for the University of Technology Enhancement Project, under which construction and other activities...

A sum of $465 million has been allocated to the National Water Commission (NWC) to fund the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) Water Supply Project. Details of the allocation are outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. With funding support provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the project will provide an improved water supply...

The Jamaica Competitiveness Enhancement Programme has received $10 million in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. The programme is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It aims to facilitate economic growth by improving the competitiveness...

The St. Catherine Police are seeking the public’s assistance, as they investigate the theft of 53 batteries from solar lighting systems from sections of Highway 2000 in the parish. Persons with information that can assist the investigations are asked to call the Highway 2000 East-West toll free number at 1-888-429-5632 or the Ferry Police at 705-8349 or 705-8112. Chief Executive...