Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to fulfilling the targets under the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. He says the Administration takes the SDGs “very seriously”, noting that they are aligned with priorities and projected outcomes under the long-term Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan. Against this background, the Prime...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the island’s local authorities must take the lead in preventing squatter settlements and illegal buildings from mushrooming in their respective municipalities. Speaking at a press conference at the St. James Municipal Corporation on November 29, Mr. McKenzie said there are far too many people building houses in areas that...

While several young Jamaican entrepreneurs have migrated to maximise their earnings on business concepts they have created, young entrepreneur and jewellery designer, Andy Heaven, has chosen to remain in Jamaica and contribute to the development of the country. Although Mr. Heaven went to the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, and acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Management...

Member of Parliament for St Andrew Eastern, Hon. Fayval Williams, says efforts are being made to undertake a programme for the redevelopment of the town of Papine in the constituency. “Papine is a hub of activity of pedestrians, vehicles and vendors. It is the ‘capital city’ of St. Andrew Eastern and an asset to the constituency, but it is in...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says young people are at the heart of the Government’s economic development programme. He noted that policies and programmes have been put in place to fully engage the youth and ensure that they have access to education and training, to take full advantage of opportunities in the country. “We...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Government will be changing the name of the island’s infirmaries, with the process to begin in eastern parishes. He made the disclosure at a recent town hall meeting at the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, Portland. “So when you go to the Portland Infirmary in a couple...

Tourism Specialist at the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Beverly Stewart, says the agency, through its Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), is empowering Jamaicans to capitalise on the prospects in community-based tourism. She noted that the area is fast outpacing sun, sea and sand travel. “Experiential tourism… is growing at 15-20 per cent while sun, sea and sand is only...