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Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Dr. Dwayne Vernon, gives an update on the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), during a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (January 10).

SDC Facilitates 320 Businesses over Last Two Years

The Social Development Commission (SDC) has supported the development of some 320 small businesses valued at more than $657 million over the last two years under the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), creating employment for hundreds of persons. The...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (centre), outlines plans to improve traffic management in Montego Bay, during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister’s western offices in Montego Bay on Wednesday (January 11). He is flanked by Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis; and Attorney General and Member of Parliament for West Central St. James, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte.

Gov’t to Improve Traffic Flow in Montego Bay

Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw. (FILE)

Finance Minister Reviewing Capital Expenditure Programme

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, outlines the achievements of the Ministry last year at a press conference held on Wednesday (January 11), at the Ministry’s Dominica Drive offices, New Kingston.

64 Per Cent Reduction in Jamaicans Denied Entry to T&T

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw (left), emphasises a point to Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Department Caribbean Group General Manager, Therese Turner-Jones, after both signed an agreement formalising the IDB’s authorisation of partial use of Jamaica’s public-procurement system guidelines for implementing projects funded by the multilateral institution. The signing took place at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston on January 11.

Finance Minister Urges Expeditious Execution of Procurement Procedures

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (3rd left) and Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (4th left) participate in the signing of an agreement for the development of a business plan for the design of Jamaica’s first Hospitality School, during a ceremony at Jamaica House on Wednesday, January 11. Others (seated from left) are Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Joy Roberts; Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, Jennifer Griffith; and Professor Emeritus of George Washington University, Donald Hawkins. Standing are Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Godfrey Dyer; and Coordinator of the Hospitality School project, Carol Rose Brown. Prof. Hawkins will lead a team of professionals tasked with developing the design of the school.

9 years ago Tourism

Gov’t Partners with Int’l Tourism Experts to Design Hospitality School

The Government has partnered with professionals from international tourism training institutions for the design and development of a hospitality school, which is set to be opened in 2018. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said Professor Emeritus of Management and Tourism Studies, George Washington University, Donald Hawkins, will be leading a team tasked with developing the design of the institution...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), is escorted into the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James, by President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Metry Seaga, for the official launch of the inaugural Jamaica International Exhibition trade show, on January 11.

9 years ago Commerce

Industry Minister Says Compliance with Quality Standards is Key to Trade

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says compliance with quality standards with respect to food and agro-processed products is a key ingredient in both the global and regional markets. The Minister emphasises that Jamaica must continue to address issues such as those related to export inspections and the accompanying procedural obstacles being faced by local businesses,...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (second right), listens as Executive Director, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Barton Clarke (third right) explains the purpose of a seed extractor, which was among equipment and supplies donated to the Ministry by CARDI. Also pictured (from left) are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; and Agricultural Attaché, Delegation of the European Union in Jamaica, Stefano Cilli. The donation, valued at more than $2.5 million was presented during a ceremony at the Hope Gardens offices of the Ministry in St. Andrew, on January 11. The items will be used to bolster the Seed Production Facility of the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine.

9 years ago Agriculture

High-Quality Seeds for Farmers

The Government’s thrust to increase production of high-quality seeds for agricultural production has been boosted with the acquisition of equipment and supplies valued at more than $2.5 million. The items, which include a seed extractor, germination chamber, forceps and Petri dishes, will be used to bolster the Seed Production Facility of the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine. They were...

Acting Commissioner of Police, Novelette Grant (second right), responds to a question posed during a press conference at the Office of the Police Commissioner located at 103 Old Hope Road in St. Andrew on January 11. The press conference was held to provide an overview of the operations of the Force in 2016 and strategies that will be adopted in 2017. Others (from left) are Head of the Criminal Investigative Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ealan Powell; Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Technical Operations, Clifford Blake; and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Territorial Operation, George Quallo.

9 years ago National Security and Peace

Focused Deployment of Assets to Fight Crime – Grant

Acting Commissioner of Police, Novelette Grant, says there will be strategic and focused deployment of assets, especially in high-crime divisions, as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) intensifies its emphasis on violence reduction. Ms. Grant was speaking at a press conference at the Office of the Commissioner of Police in St. Andrew on January 11, where she outlined several strategies that...

Systems Development Manager in the Ministry Systems Development Manager in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Edson Williams (left), demonstrates the Island Traffic Authority’s Vehicle Management System to Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, at the Ministry on Maxfield Avenue, in Kingston on January 11. Standing (from left) are Managing Director of the ITA, Ludlow Powell and Deputy Superintendent of Police, John Wright. of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Edson Williams (left), demonstrates the Island Traffic Authority’s Vehicle Management System to Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, at the Ministry on Maxfield Avenue, in Kingston on January 11. Standing (from left) are Managing Director of the ITA, Ludlow Powell and Deputy Superintendent of Police, John Wright.

9 years ago Transport

Two New ITA Offices to be Built in May Pen and Savanna-La-Mar

Two new Island Traffic Authority (ITA) offices are to be built in May Pen, Clarendon and Savanna-la Mar, Westmoreland in short order. Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, also indicated that improvements and upgrades are to be made to existing ITA facilities across the island. “I am meeting with the Island Traffic Authority at the management level, on the...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), is greeted by Group Chief Executive Officer at GraceKennedy Limited and Chairman of JAMPRO, Senator Don Wehby (right), on arrival at the launch of the Jamaica International Exhibition (JIE) Trade Show at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St. James, on January 11. At centre is President of the Jamaica Manufacturers

9 years ago Commerce

Industry Minister Commits to Expanding Business Opportunities for Local Companies

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says the Government is committed to expanding business opportunities for local companies by opening up new markets and removing unnecessary barriers. He argues that by making it easier for businesses to access the export market, the Administration is signalling its intention to pursue all available avenues, locally and internationally, to...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, fits a hat at the Craft Enhancement Project Recognition and Awards Ceremony on July 12, 2016 at the New Kingston Business Centre. (FILE)

9 years ago Tourism

Craft Development Institute to be Established

The Government will, in partnership with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, be establishing a Craft Development Institute (CDI), to be completed for September 2018. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on January 11, said work on what is to be the first institute for craft development in...