Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government remains focused on building greater public-private partnerships (PPP) as it works to achieve economic growth. “PPPs have emerged as an important commercial modality to secure economic growth. The mutual benefit that public-private partnerships offer is of great value,” he said. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Third Chief Executive...

National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Chairman, Senator Aubyn Hill, says the agriculture sector stands to benefit significantly from a reduction in Jamaica’s food imports bill, which averages approximately US$850 million. Addressing an NIC customer appreciation day function at the Braco irrigation district office in Trelawny on April 11, he argued that any percentage of savings that can be realised, “we could...

Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, says the global shared services (GSS) sector, of which business process outsourcing (BPO) is a part, is a key pillar in the country’s economic growth and diversification strategy. Dr. Henry said marked growth in the BPO labour force is one area in which the sector’s impact has been most evident,...

Attorney General, Marlene Malahoo Forte, says business process outsourcing (BPO) is growing in leaps and bounds and is attracting some of the top professionals in the country. She noted that the perception that the sector is only for low-skilled workers “couldn’t be further from the truth”. “There is also the perception that these workers are paid poorly, which also couldn’t...

The annual Sports Day at the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home in Walderston, Manchester, on April 7 was a time to exercise the body and mind and to have fun as participants engaged in a variety of competitions with the boys, aged 6 to 18 years. A notable feature of the day was the visit and participation by members of the...

A stakeholder working group has been formed in the St. Catherine North Police Division in an effort to sustain the positive results of the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) in the area. The group, comprising members of the security forces, political representatives, business leaders, community leaders and the church, was formed at a meeting of stakeholders organised by the joint...

The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is appealing for student athletes to sign up for the Jamaican Athletes Insurance Plan (JAIP). JAIP provides basic group health insurance, group life and personal accident insurance coverage. Director of Sport Policy in the Ministry, Suzette Ison, said many student athletes are not covered or are even aware of the plan. “We...