Fitch Ratings today revised the outlook for Jamaica from “Stable” to “Positive" and reaffirmed the country’s long term foreign currency and local currency Issuer Default Ratings(IDR) at ‘B-’ and the short-term foreign currency rating at ‘B’ and a Country Ceiling of ‘B’.  The positive outlook is predicated on the reduction in external financing risks evidenced by increase in the reserves,...

Jamaican agricultural produce could soon reach the United Kingdom market within 10 days, based on a pending agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and a major shipping line, which will shortly be operating directly between both countries. Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said currently Jamaican products get into the United Kingdom market in 23 days,...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the Government is committed to honouring its obligations to Public Sector workers. Among these are:  the annual performance increment of 2.5 per cent; the third tranche of the Health Sector reclassification;  and the final one-off payment to each Public Sector worker in the amount of $25,000, arising from the 2012/15...

Several key pieces of legislation, aimed at enhancing and improving Jamaica’s national security and justice systems, are included on the legislative agenda for the new 2015/16 Parliamentary year. This is outlined in the Throne Speech delivered on Thursday, February 19, at Gordon House, by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. Notable among the legislation are: the Caribbean...

The 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, set to unfold from June 13-18 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, under the theme: Jamaica and the Diaspora: Linking for Growth and Prosperity, will be launched this Friday (February 20) by the Prime Minister, Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Senator the Honourable, Arnold J. Nicholson, QC,...

Local talents in scriptwriting, directing, producing and acting will get the opportunity to showcase their craft to the world, at the inaugural staging of the Jamaica Film Festival slated for July 7 to 11 in Kingston. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on February 17, Film Commissioner and Manager of Creative Industries at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Carole Beckford, said...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding on Tuesday (February 17) officially opened the Montego Bay Restorative Justice Centre, the first of its kind to be established in western Jamaica. The Centre will be available to all communities in the Montego Bay area, and forms part of government’s emphasis of integrating and implementing restorative justice practices in selected communities...