Preliminary data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) indicates that the country’s food import bill declined by $5.014 billion (US$43.6 million) last year, representing a 4.5 per cent reduction over the corresponding period in 2013. This represents the largest decline recorded since 2009, according to Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier. He made the disclosure during...

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says the Ministry will continue to introduce age appropriate learning technology in schools islandwide, including smart boards, tablet computers, virtual education, among others. This, he said, is being undertaken in a bid to enhance and complement teaching methods in schools. Rev. Thwaites was speaking at the official opening of an enrichment centre at...

Immigration and airport personnel from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao as well as a member of the Saint Maarten legislature were in the island recently on a fact-finding mission to observe Jamaica’s use of automated immigration kiosks at the island’s main international airports. The seven-man Curaçaoan delegation toured the arrival immigration hall at the Sangster International Airport (SIA) and...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller is urging parents and guardians to send their children to church in order to preserve positive morals and values in the next generation. The Prime Minister made the call during her remarks at the Jamaica Baptist Women Federation’s (JBWF) Annual Prayer Breakfast on April 18 at Caymanas Golf Club in St. Catherine....

Minister with Responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, says the recent historic visit of the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama served to underscore the strong and positive relationship that exists between Jamaica and the United States and was widely embraced by Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora. The Information Minister was speaking at...

This year is very significant for the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, as the Movement is celebrating its 75th anniversary, under the theme: ‘4-H – Celebrating the Past, Embracing the Future’. To mark the notable milestone, the organisation has planned some major activities, including the commencement of one of its legacy projects later this year - the $160 million Rural Youth Economic...

History was created at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona campus on April 20, with the planting of the island’s first legal cannabis plant on the grounds of the institution. Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell; Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding; university officials, as well as other stakeholders, took part in the...