The Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has earned ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation for its export process. PQPI is Jamaica’s first line of defence against the introduction of exotic pests and diseases. The branch is mandated to ensure that only the highest quality, pest-free cut flowers and fresh produce are exported from and...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has developed four audiovisual toolkits that are to be rolled out to the public shortly. Consultant to the Ministry and Government Senator, Dr. Saphire Longmore, who made the disclosure, said the toolkits will cover the four main tenets of health – mental, social, physical, and spiritual. She indicated that the resources are intended to...

The Jamaican Consulate in Atlanta has partnered with the Atlanta Hawks to assist students in Jamaica and Atlanta. Proceeds from the basketball game, Atlanta Hawks versus the Miami Heat, which will be held at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on November 11, 2023, will benefit tertiary and final-year high-school students who are pursuing studies in the science, technology, engineering,...

The Government is eliminating the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on the importation of horses to provide better quality breeding stock and stimulate growth in the horse racing industry. The House of Representatives, on Wednesday (November 1), approved the General Consumption Tax (Amendment of Schedules) (No. 2) Order, 2023 to allow for the measure. Minister of Finance and the Public Service,...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Ministry will continue to place “tremendous emphasis” on the mining sector to facilitate growth and to identify new markets for export. He gave the commitment as the country saw a 164.2 per cent expansion in the mining and quarrying sector for the April to June quarter compared to the...

Member of Parliament (MP) for Portland East, Ann-Marie Vaz, says the multibillion-dollar South Coast Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) is providing economic benefits to her constituents. Mrs. Vaz noted that the construction of the highway has provided job opportunities for persons. “Kalilah Reynolds, Jamaica’s leading business financial journalist, reported in August of this year that land prices have increased 61 per...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Hon. Marsha Smith (left), is presented with a copy of the book ‘A to Z of Leading a Professional Life’, by author and Principal Director of Make Your Mark Group, Dr. Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd. The presentation was made during the Group’s Business and Personal Etiquette Conference on Wednesday (November 1) at...