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MONTEGO BAY — The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) office in Montego Bay, St. James, is moving to increase vegetable production in the parish, through the implementation of a state-of the art Greenhouse to produce vegetable seedlings. The project has come about with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Greenhouse is valued at approximately $1 .5 million...

KINGSTON — Speculation about the date of the next General Election could add to the uncertainties created by the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) delay in reviewing the medium-term economic programme, says Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter. Mr. Wynter was speaking at a media briefing to present the Monetary Policy Report for the July–September 2011 quarter at the...

KINGSTON — The cost of living pressure is likely to continue to ease during the December 2011 quarter, with inflation projected to be in the range of 1.0 per cent to 2.0 per cent, while economic growth could accelerate during the period. Presenting the latest Quarterly Monetary Policy Report, for the period ending September 30, Governor of the Bank of...

KINGSTON — The National Housing Trust (NHT) is to introduce a modified selection system for its Home Grant Programme, to make it more accessible for low income earners. Chairman of the Trust, Howard Mitchell says that since the introduction of the programme in July 2010, 217 persons have been selected for Home Grants, but only 11 could afford to take...

KINGSTON — Consultancy services for phase II of the privatisation of the Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) is expected to commence shortly with Cabinet’s approval of a US$3.33 million contract to PricewaterhouseCoopers. Minister with responsibility for Information and the Public Service, Senator Hon. Arthur Williams, made the disclosure during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday (November 9). He said...

KINGSTON — Government intends to revise the National Geospatial Policy and begin drafting the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, as it looks to put a more effective legislative structure in place for the management of the country's resources. "The aim is to have a fully functioning national geospatial data infrastructure, inclusive of data, systems, and guidelines which provide householders, businesses...

KINGSTON — The Bank of Jamaica's (BoJ) policy rate, which is the interest rate payable on 30-day certificates of deposit, was reduced by 50 basis points to 6.5 per cent at the end of September. BoJ Governor, Brian Wynter, in giving a review of the country's monetary performance for the September 2011 quarter at the Bank's Nethersole Place headquarters downtown...

KINGSTON — Six Government-owned natural attractions, currently being managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), are to be privatised. Cabinet has approved a $29.3 million contract to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited to undertake the process. This was announced by Minister with responsibility for Information and the Public Service, Senator the Hon. Arthur Williams, during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Education says 71.4 per cent of students who sat the Grade Four Literacy Test in June achieved mastery, an increase of 4.4 percentage points over the 2010 results. The results, revealed at a press briefing at the Ministry, Heroes Circle, Kingston on Wednesday (November 9), also showed that 19.6 per cent achieved almost mastery, while...

KINGSTON — Prime Minister, the Hon. Andrew Holness, on Wednesday (November 9), officially opened the newly re-constructed Dry River Bridge, situated at Harbour View, St. Andrew. The four-lane bridge was constructed by Kier Construction Limited at a cost of approximately US$9 million with funding under the Government of Jamaica (GoJ)/Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Transportation Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme. It replaces the...

KINGSTON — St. Hugh's Preparatory student, Kathryn Gooden, was a picture of excitement and utter jubilation when she was announced winner of the inaugural Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Heritage Essay Competition, at King's House, on November 8. The pint-sized, nine-year-old copped the top prize  at the  awards ceremony, beating out more than 150 rivals. It was her exceptional essay, detailing...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says he is working to have the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine, renamed in honour of the late Jamaican scientist, Dr. T.P. Lecky. Speaking at the institution’s 2011 Open Day on Tuesday (November 8), the Minister argued that the work of the renowned scientist has benefited the country and...