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Chief Executive Officer of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Andrew Wynter, speaks to JIS News about initiatives to be implemented to improve customer service and reduce waiting time at the entity.

PICA to Implement Initiatives to Improve Service

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) will be implementing various initiatives over the next two years to significantly improve customer experience and reduce the waiting time to access and obtain services at the entity. In an interview with JIS...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (second left), raps with Head Girl, Genesis Academy, Ashley Hussey, during a visit to the school in Kingston on Thursday, May 11. The institution is a skills-training centre which caters to students with learning challenges.

Additional Support for Genesis Academy

10K winner in the female category, Chrisann Lewis (right), accepts her Jetblue Travel Certificate from Marlon Wright of JetBlue Airways at an awards presentation, following the fourth staging of the MoBay City Run on May 7 in Montego Bay, St. James.

Tourism Stakeholders Urged to take Advantage of Mobay City Run

Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Winston De La Haye (left), addresses a post-Sectoral Debate presentation press briefing by Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (centre), at Jamaica House, today (May 11). At right is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Sancia Templer.

Indigent Persons to be Housed at Infirmaries

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon J.C. Hutchinson (left), in discussion with former Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Ludlow Mathison, at the launch of a Production and Marketing Organisation (PMO) parish group for St. Thomas, held at the Village Green Restaurant, in Morant Bay, on May 10.

Agricultural Aides to Assist with Registration of Farmers

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda (centre, seated), and Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Jamaica, Her Excellency Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska (right, seated), sign the EU Sugar Technical Assistance Consultancy Programme agreement at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on May 10. At left is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry. In the back row (from left) are United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Nicholas Astbury; Sugar Transformation Unit Project Manager, Keleen Young-Grandison; Agricultural Attaché, EU Delegation in Jamaica, Stefano Cillí; Technical Assistance Programme Consultants, Gordon Allert and Andreas Bockermann; and Spanish Ambassador-designate to Jamaica, His Excellency Josep María Bosch Bessa.

9 years ago AgricultureCommerce

Sugar Industry to Benefit From EU-Funded Technical Assistance

The sugar industry is set to benefit from the development of a comprehensive financial and economic model being piloted by a European Union (EU)-funded technical assistance consultancy programme. The project, valued at approximately $37.8 million (€266,431), forms part of the EU’s wider complementary 2013 Sugar Accompanying Measures funding support for Jamaica, totalling some $4.18 billion (€29.5 million). Earmarked activities being...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre), speaks with Principal of Genesis Academy, Donna Lowe (left); and Chairman, Caryl Fenton, during a tour of the special education institution on South Camp Road in Kingston on Thursday (May 11).

9 years ago Education

Cabinet to Get Special Education Policy in June

The Special Education Policy, which seeks to fulfil the academic requirements of students with special needs, is expected to be brought to Cabinet for approval within another month. This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who said it is “urgent and important” that this policy is implemented to cater to the diverse...

Prime Minister, the Most Honourable
Andrew Michael Holness, ON, PC, MP

9 years ago Office of the Prime Minister

PM Holness Congratulates Minnis and Macron on their Election Victories

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has warmly congratulated Prime Minister-elect Dr Hubert Minnis of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and President-elect of France Emmanuel Macron on their impressive victory at the polls. Dr Minnis’ Free National Movement yesterday (May 11) won the national election in the Bahamas by 35-4 seats while Mr Macron swept to victory on Sunday (May 7). In...

Professor of Child Health, Child Development and Behaviuor at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and Patron of the Autism Support Association Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan (right) listens as Attorney-at-Law and parent of a child with autism, Ricardo Sandcroft, relates his experiences with his autistic child. They were speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank at the agency’s head office.

9 years ago Health & Wellness

Autism Support Association Calls for Greater Integration

Despite growing awareness among Jamaicans of children with autism, there still needs to be more acceptance of the disorder. Professor of Child Health, Child Development and Behaviour at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and Patron of the Jamaica Autism Support Association, Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, tells JIS News that many persons with autism spectrum disorder who go undiagnosed are...

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, addresses journalists at his post-2017/18 Sectoral Debate presentation briefing at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on May 10.

9 years ago Commerce

Gov’t Remains Committed to Medical Marijuana Industry

The Government remains committed to supporting and facilitating stakeholder activities leading to the development of a medical marijuana industry in Jamaica. This undertaking has been given by Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon Karl Samuda, who indicated that the Administration is working to expand on research being carried out. He reiterated, however, that this must be in accordance with...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addresses the 3rd International Conference on TVET in the Caribbean on May 10 at the Hilton Spa and Resort, St. James, under the theme ‘TVET for Sustainable Regional Development’.

9 years ago Education

Traditional Education Must be Joined With TVET – Minister

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says there must be a “full marriage” between traditional education and technical vocational education and training (TVET), and that separation is no longer an option. Senator Reid, who was addressing the 3rd International Conference on TVET in the Caribbean on May 10, at the Hilton Spa and Resort, St....

Hon. Fayval Williams, MP, Minister of Education, Youth and Information

9 years ago Finance & Public Service

Net International Reserves Now at US$2.8 Billion

The Government is reporting that the Net International Reserves (NIR) are at the highest they have ever been at US$2.849 billion, since 2002. State Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure during her contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 9. She also mentioned the Precautionary Stand-By Arrangement...