The Government has hailed the success of the World Bank-funded Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which was implemented locally by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) from January 2010 to July 2017. The US$15 million programme, which was pivotal in facilitating improved market access for micro and small-scale rural agricultural producers and tourism projects, was geared towards reducing poverty by...

Cabinet has approved the creation of 300 additional posts for nurses as part of moves to ease the personnel shortage in the public health system. This was disclosed by Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who says at least 2,000 established positions are required to alleviate the shortage. He was speaking at a Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)/Ministry of...

Economic Growth Council Chairman, Michel Lee-Chin, says a substantially sound macroeconomic foundation has been laid that can now propel Jamaica towards generating higher levels of growth. “The table has been set,” he said, while presenting the EGC’s third quarter report at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, July 27. Among the indicators, he said are a stable...

The Government has met six of the 10 Economic Growth Council (EGC) policy recommendations targeted for implementation during the April to June quarter. EGC Chairman, Michael Lee-Chin, made the disclosure at the presentation of the Council’s third quarterly report at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, July 27. The policy recommendations come under three areas of reform...

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is developing a national investment portal as part of its three-year business strategy. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the portal will serve as a comprehensive base of information that facilitates investments in Jamaica. He said the portal’s main functions will include: information sharing; facilitating online...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, is urging greater Diaspora participation in a wide range of activities that will support the Government’s drive to boost Jamaica’s growth and development. He said while the Administration acknowledges the importance of inputs such as remittances in supporting families and friends “we believe that your...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has been utilising technology to improve data collection and dissemination of information. Director General of STATIN, Carol Coy, said the entity has converted to an electronic data collection system, which has made the process of gathering information speedier and easier. “So, for household surveys and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), we now collect the...