The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has advised that its offices and several affiliated attractions will be closed to the public on Friday, December 2, to facilitate a staff event. All attractions will resume regular operations on Saturday, December 3, while the UDC’s offices will reopen on Monday, December 5. Among the offices and attractions being closed are the UDC’s head...

Jamaica is among the CARICOM member countries benefiting from a Canadian-funded programme, now under way, which aims to strengthen regional economies. The Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism (CCEDM) is intended to address the priority needs of beneficiary states, as identified by national governments. This, by supporting efforts to bolster and diversify local economies, build strong, climate-resilient communities, and reduce gender and...

Government Senator, Don Wehby, has hailed the Administration’s management of the economy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that “we’ve come out of the crisis better than most nations.” Among the positive indicators, he said, are economic growth of 5.4 per cent for the first quarter of 2022; US$4 billion in revenues; business confidence increasing by 18.3 per cent in...

The annual GIS Day Expo returns to its home base at the University of the West Indies (UWI) this year, with an array of activities to engage attendees and participants. The 20th staging of the National Spatial Data Management Branch (NSDMB) and Land Information Council of Jamaica (LICJ) event, will take place on November 16 at the Assembly Hall on...

Local institutions and individuals are to be specially recognised for their contribution to the development of their respective fields, through their use of geospatial technologies. The recognition will be extended by the Land Information Council of Jamaica (LICJ), which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. “This year, we will be recognising organisations, institutions and individuals, locally, who would have, over...

The use of geospatial information tools and technologies is critical for the greater economic growth and advancement of the country. This was stated by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, during the launch of activities for Geography Awareness Week and the 20th staging of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day,...

Beneficiaries of the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) will now be guided by a social contract, outlining the initiative’s policies. “We have [added] a new feature to the programme, which is that the beneficiary will sign [this] contract. It’s a simple document, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of the beneficiary,” said Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. He...

A $163.5-million contract has been signed for the rehabilitation of the 1.8-kilometre stretch of roadway from Friendship to Hurlock in St. James, under phase three of the Fairfield to Point road improvement project. The contract stems from a partnership between the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, through the Maintenance of Secondary Roads...

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda (left), turns on a tap symbolising the official commissioning of the National Water Commission (NWC) newly upgraded Sligoville water system in St. Catherine, on October 13. Looking on (from second left) are Member of Parliament, St. Catherine North Central, Natalie Neita-Garvey; Councillor, Sligoville...