Prime Minister Andrew Holness has told world leaders that while Small Island Developing States (SIDS) continue to strengthen partnerships around the world, economic independence will ultimately secure resilience for all SIDS. Addressing the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City today (September 27), Prime Minister Holness noted Jamaica and other SIDS continue to work to...

Finance and Public Service Minister, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, says the Economic Reform Programme’s (ERP) successful implementation has enabled the Government to double expenditure aimed at improving the standard of living in Jamaica. He noted that allocations to improve the quality of life for the society’s most vulnerable, increased from $20 billion in the 2015/16 fiscal year to $32...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the economy has made progress under the Economic Reform Programme (ERP). Speaking at a Government of Jamaica and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Review press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister today (September 21), Mr. Holness said the Government is pleased that its economic programme is proceeding on track. “Reform...

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for the Environment, Hon, Daryl Vaz, today addressed the G7 Environment Ministers’ meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Jamaica was one of three Small Island Developing States invited to attend the plenary, but it was Minister Vaz who delivered the key note address in the session...

The Government is receiving expertise from the Organization of American States (OAS) in developing a national register of cultural heritage places and objects. A team from the organisation is participating in a three-day workshop to provide training to local personnel. The session, entitled ‘Effective Heritage Inventories and the National Registers’, got under way on Tuesday (September 18) at The Courtleigh...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has launched the ‘Jamaica Beach Guide’, a webpage designed to provide information on the various public beaches across the island. The webpage, located on NEPA’s website at www.nepa.gov.jm provides a list and quick facts about the featured beaches. “We have documented 87 public beaches across the island, and we are working to increase...

Starting January 1, 2019, the Government will be imposing a ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of specific categories of plastic packaging materials. These include single-use plastic carrier/shopping bags; expanded polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as styrofoam; and plastic drinking straws. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who made...