Local policymakers are benefiting from the expertise of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to better understand the risks and implications of the weather-related phenomenon in order to more effectively mitigate its effects. Set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC provides governments with regular assessments of the scientific...

The University of the West Indies (UWI) should see a reduction in its water bill with the commissioning of the Mona Well at College Commons on December 15. The institution, through a private partnership, entered into an agreement with North Star Development Limited (NSDL) in 2014 to identify, drill and develop, manage and finance and maintain new sources of potable...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has lauded Tortuga International Holdings for helping to boost the productivity of Kingston with the opening of its new US$3.5-million bakery. “This is more than a signal of private-sector confidence in our capital as a production hub, despite the many challenges which our city faces, especially...

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a three-year US$1.64 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Jamaica, as a signal of its continued support of the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) economic programme and the strengthening of the country’s macroeconomic framework. The Stand-By Arrangement will replace the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) which was scheduled to end in March...

A Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)-commissioned study shows that an overwhelming majority of private sector organizations canvassed would recruit persons with hearing impairments. The School-to-Work Transition for the Deaf study notes that 94 per cent of the interviewees believe, among other things, that members of this group should be given similar opportunities, inclusive of employment, as are afforded to persons...

Chairman of the Economic Growth Council (EGC), Michael Lee-Chin, says the Council plans to provide quarterly updates to the nation on the progress of each of the eight growth initiatives outlined to the Cabinet. In a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) television ‘Issues and Answers’ interview, Mr. Lee-Chin said this will be done to ensure transparency of the Council. “We’ll...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaicans are buying into the vision of the Economic Growth Council (EGC) and its push to generate sustained levels of economic growth. The Council, chaired by businessman Michael-Lee Chin, is targeting gross domestic product (GDP) growth of five per cent over the next four years. The Prime Minister, who was speaking in...