The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is forecasting a $22-billion or 13 per cent increase in total currency to be in circulation for December 2020, relative to November. In a statement on Monday (December 14), the BOJ said the sum projected at the end of December is $190.9 billion, which would be consistent with heightened expenditure associated with the Christmas season,...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has received 177 applications from small and medium-sized enterprises in the agriculture and tourism sectors for grant funding, under phase two of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI II). Project Manager for REDI II at JSIF, Kemeisha Batchan, told JIS News that applications were received from all 14 parishes, with Clarendon being the highest....

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is calling on motorists to exercise caution when traversing the public roadways during the Christmas season. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on Monday, December 14, Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gary McKenzie, said the Yuletide season is usually marked with increased...

A total of 35 principals from schools across the island have been trained under the pilot of the Inclusive School Leadership Training Programme (ISLTP). The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is undertaking the programme through its Special Education Unit, with the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL) conducting the training and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) providing funding...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is lauding the nation’s youth for continuing to make impactful contributions to the country’s development and to significantly enhance the lives of Jamaicans through their various endeavours. “Some of you, as part of the National Youth Advisory Council, are helping to develop policy, debate issues and contribute to our democracy through the youth...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is on a major drive to increase the use of solar energy to power its irrigation schemes across the island, in order to reduce operational expenditure and the reliance on fossil fuels. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said it is anticipated that within the next two years, irrigation systems operated by the National Irrigation...

On December 9, 2020, the Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) collaborated with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and Magna Rewards Jamaica Ltd. to launch a Supermarket Plastic Recyclables Drop Off Programme. The programme was launched by Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Lee’s Food Fair...