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Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, speaking at the official handing over of a drip irrigation system at food safety facility at the Braco Farms in Trelawny on Thursday (August 13).

More Than 800 Jamaican Employed Under REDI Project

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, says over 800 Jamaicans have been employed under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project. The World Bank-funded project, implemented in 2010, focuses on income generating interventions in the...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (4th right), inspects drip irrigation pipes on the Braco Farms in Trelawny, during a tour on August 13. The irrigation system is part of a $11.7 million project funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which includes establishment of a food safety facility on the farm. Others looking on are Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney (3rd left); State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Luther Buchanan (2nd right); and Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, Hon. Patrick Atkinson.

Braco Farmers Get Drip Irrigation System

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, says the recent PetroCaribe debt buy-back transaction was a significant move by the Jamaican government. He was speaking with journalists at the EPOC’s monthly press briefing on August 13, in Kingston.

US$2 Billion Raised By Government Will Result In Significant Benefits – EPOC Co-Chair

Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips (centre), makes a point to President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), William Mahfood (left), while Chairman of the Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), Michael McMorris, looks on. Occasion was VMBS’ inaugural economic forum held on August 12, at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew.

BPO Sector Can Transform Employment Landscape – Dr. Phillips

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (third left), affixes her signature to the new Heads of Agreement, which was signed between the Government and representatives of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on August 11. Also signing (from left) are: Vice President, Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Helene Davis Whyte; Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips; and President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, O’neil Grant. Pictured in the background (from left) are: Manager, Public Relations, Special Projects and Community Outreach, OPM, Shelly-Ann Harris; and Finance and Planning Ministry officials - Director, Industrial Relations, Lorna A. Phillips; Acting Financial Secretary, Everton McFarlane; Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Charmaine Hayman; and Deputy Financial Secretary, Wayne Jones. The new wage agreement, which is for the contract period 2015 to 2017, will see public sector employees receiving a salary increase of seven per cent over two years.

Improved Benefits for Public Sector Workers

Minister of Education, the Hon. Rev. Ronon on August 13 at the Ministry’s head office in Kingston.

11 years ago Education

Support for Students Who Missed Pass Mark in Math and English A

Thousands of students, who just missed the pass mark in Mathematics and English A in the 2015 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) tests will benefit from assistance to improve their grades. The Ministry of Education announced on August 13, that it will be setting up special support centres across the island to provide support for students, who achieved grade four...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (centre), shares a moment with Joan McClure (left) and her daughter Trevonne McClure, who will be attending St. Catherine High School in September. Occasion was a Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) awards function held on August 13, at Jamaica House, where 17 students of staff employed to the Office of the Cabinet and Office of the Prime Minister were presented with book vouchers valued at $5,000 each.

11 years ago Office of the Prime MinisterPrime Minister

Put Aside Negative Thoughts – PM

Students, who will be attending high school in September, are being encouraged by the Prime Minister, to put aside negative thoughts and actions. The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, said that adopting a positive outlook and attitude is one of the most important keys to achieving success. “Never, ever keep the word ‘can’t’ in your thinking. It is an evil...

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, outlines the performance of key indicators under the country’s four-year extended fund facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), during a press briefing on Thursday, August 13. (File)

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Jamaica On Course to Pass 9th Consecutive IMF Test

Jamaica is on course to pass its 9th consecutive review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This, after successfully surpassing all the key economic targets set by the IMF for the April to June quarter. A team from the IMF is currently in the island reviewing the country’s performance for the quarter under the...

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (centre), engages in light discussion with General Manager, National Commercial Bank (NCB) Corporate Banking Division, Brian Boothe (left); and Acting President, National Water Commission (NWC), Mark Barnett. Occasion was the signing ceremony for a US$12 million loan agreement to finance the rehabilitation or replacement of wastewater management facilities, held on August 12, at the NCB

11 years ago Environment

NWC and NCB Sign US$12 Million Loan Facility for Sewage Upgrading

The National Water Commission (NWC) and the National Commercial Bank have signed a US $12 million loan agreement to finance the rebuilding, rehabilitation or replacement of several waste water treatment facilities across the island. The financing facility is being supported under the Caribbean Regional Fund for Waste Water Management (CReW) Project, which involves the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Inter-American Development Bank...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, gives his remarks at a press conference to provide an update on the status of the Cannabis Industry Regulatory Framework, held at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday, August 13.

11 years ago Commerce

Work Progressing On Ganja Regulations

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says he expects to receive final recommendations to guide the development of the regulations for the ganja industry by the end of September. Development of the regulations represents the first steps towards establishing a successful and globally competitive medical marijuana industry in Jamaica. The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015, which became...

Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (left), congratulates Guardian Life Limited’s top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scholarship awardees Mikhail Morris (right) and Yendi Foo (centre). Occasion was the company’s 10th annual GSAT awards ceremony held on August 12 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. Sharing the moment are President of Guardian Life Limited, Eric Hosin; and Youth Advocate, Kemesha Kelly.

11 years ago Education

Rev. Thwaites Hails Contribution of Education Partners

Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, is commending the various corporate entities, groups, and individuals, who continue to contribute to the education sector. He noted that while the Government invests some $80 billion in education annually, the sum “would be insufficient to do what we do if it were not for the contribution of companies, persons in the Diaspora, parents,...

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (second left), addresses a press conference about Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) results at the Ministry’s head office on Thursday (August 13). Also in attendance are (from left): Senior Advisor in the Ministry, Mr. Radley Reid; Chief Education Officer, Dr. Grace McLean; and National Numeracy Co-ordinator, Dr. Tamika Benjamin.

11 years ago Education

More Students Pass CSEC Mathematics

The Ministry of Education is reporting an increase in the number of students who acquired grade one to three passes in Mathematics, as well as in 13 other subjects in the 2015 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC). Of the 23,639 public school candidates who sat the Mathematics examination, 14,657 or 62 per cent were awarded passing grades....