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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A. J. Nicholson says the main area of focus as he embarks on his new role will be to enhance Jamaica's image internationally. "It is my respectful view that Jamaica's place within the international arena is not where it should be. Our first duty is to impress upon all persons...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says ensuring that exporters meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act will be one of his immediate priorities. Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Clarke said with United States (US) authorities expected to carry out inspections next month; focus will be placed on all areas dealing with the export of agricultural...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, has charged the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) to move with dispatch to address "ethics in business" as a critical part of its role in promoting corporate governance among registered companies. The Minister made the call during a familiarisation tour of the New Kingston offices of the organization, on January 12....

The Social Development Commission (SDC) is inviting applications for the annual National Best Community Competition and Programme (NBCCP). The deadline for submission is March 2012. Director of Governance, SDC, Sherine Walker Francis told JIS News that any of the island’s 783 Community Development Committees (CDCs) as identified by the SDC can participate in the competition. “This year’s competition is now...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller explores the features on the new Apple iPhone 4S with LIME’s Managing Director, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Garry Sinclair. The occasion was a courtesy call on Mrs. Simpson Miller by LIME representatives at Jamaica House on January 11. Mrs. Simpson Miller is the first in the Caribbean to receive the iPhone 4S, which is...

The Government is to review its Youth Policy, to sharpen its focus on entrepreneurship, skills training and preparing young people for the world of work in the global village. Addressing a Town Hall Meeting, comprising youth leaders of community-based organizations, students' councils and uniformed groups from St. Catherine, Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, stated that her mandate...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security issued a statement Wednesday (January 11) denying reports of job recruitment at the Braco Resort, Trelawny, later this month. The Ministry was responding to "advertisements circulated through the social networks and the electronic media” about the recruitment at the Government owned resort. "It has come to the attention of the National Insurance Fund...

Students at the Tivoli Gardens High School in West Kingston, now have access to interactive learning equipment, which will stimulate greater interest in education, while enhancing the numeracy and literacy programmes at the institution. The equipment, which are housed in the school’s library include computers, document and digital cameras, and a digital whiteboard, among others. They were donated by Petrojam...

The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) will this year focus on renovating the Glenhope Place of Safety, in St. Andrew, a section of which was destroyed by fire last year. Speaking at a press conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston to launch the event on January 11 Chairman of the NLPB Committee. Rev. Dr. Peter Garth said...

A forensic audit of the operations of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) is to begin soon. This was disclosed by Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. Omar Davies, at a press briefing Wednesday (January 11) at the Ministry, Maxfield Avenue, Kingston. Dr. Davies said an audit, which had been requested under the former administration, was not started. “One...

The Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) has indicated that most of the currency issued during December 2011 will be redeemed during January 2012. The seasonal spike of money in circulation in December reflected the heightened consumer demand for cash to satisfy Christmas shopping. Data from the Central Bank indicate that for December 2011, there was a net increase of $10.4 billion...

Jamaica's trade deficit continues to widen, as reflected in the International Merchandise Trade Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) this month. For the review period, January to August 2011, the country’s total expenditure on imports was valued at US$4,323.9 million, while earnings from total exports amounted to US$1,113.0 million. The trade deficit during January to August 2011...