Stamp duty rates on alcoholic beverages have been reduced, effective June 1, as part of the Government’s strategy for the systematic unification of the rates of taxation. Importers of beverages such as wines, liquors and cordials will now enjoy a US$00.60 reduction in stamp duty from US$1.60 to US$1 while beers have been reduced from US$00.90 to US$00.60 per litre....

Several strategies aimed at reducing the National Water Commission’s (NWC) high energy usage will be implemented in short order. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill gave the undertaking while contributing to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 3. Minister Pickersgill said the company will be resorting to the alternative production...

Shevani Smith, a fourth form student at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in St. James, is the beneficiary of a J$40,000 scholarship from the South Florida Chapter of the Jamaica Ex-Police Officers Association. The scholarship was presented on June 3, as part of a week of activities by members of the Association, who also worked on the Adelphi Basic...

The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is inviting members of the public to attend consultation sessions across the island to discuss the National Disabilities Bill recently tabled in Parliament. The sessions will begin in Kingston at the Jamaica Bar Association, 78 - 80 Harbour Street on June 5 beginning at 11:00am. The National Disabilities Bill seeks to make provisions...

The public health system has benefitted from a donation of medical supplies valued at approximately $67.5 million from International Gospel Recording Artiste and Pastor, Donnie McClurkin, through his Perfecting Faith Ministries. Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, who received the supplies during a ceremony at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston on Monday, June 2, expressed appreciation on behalf of...

The PetroCaribe Development Fund will set aside $18 million to assist landowners who have applied to the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) for titles, and are unable to complete the process, due to lack of funding. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, who made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives...

In a bid to expand the reach of the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP), additional field offices have been opened in two parishes. The offices, which were opened by LAMP’s private sector partner, Geoland Title Limited, are located in St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann and Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland. This was disclosed by Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate...