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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (centre), cuts the ribbon to officially hand over new facilities at the Stimulation-Plus (STIM-PLUS) Early Childhood Development Centre in Rockfort, East Kingston, during a ceremony on Tuesday (February 18). Sharing the moment (from left) are: Principal of the institution, Antonica Gunter-Gayle; Executive Director, Digicel Foundation, Samantha Chantrelle; Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal and Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell; and Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Jamaica, Barry O'Brien. Also pictured are students of the school.

New Facilities for Early Stimulation Programme

Students attending the Stimulation-Plus (STIM-PLUS) Early Childhood Development Centre in Rockfort, East Kingston, now have access to a new, fully equipped facility with specialised equipment to enhance learning. Erected by the Digicel Foundation at a cost of $30 million, the...

Minister of National Security, the Hon. Peter Bunting. (FILE)

House Approves Anti-Gang Legislation

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (right) and Principal of Brown's Town High School, Johnallson Feraria (left) with students of the Coronaldi Primary School in Montego Bay, at the opening of the Diaspora Education Summit, which is being held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay from February 18 to 21, under the theme: 'Advancing education initiative: A strategic alliance with the Diaspora'.

Education Minister Calls on Diaspora to Invest in Infrastructure

Minister of Education, Hon. Ronald Thwaites (right), speaks to Central High School student, Mahalia Gordon, about the ingredients in her natural seasoning blend, when he visited the school in May Pen, Clarendon recently. The Minister purchased a jar of the product, called: ‘Gordonna’s Everybody’s Natural Blend,’ and commended the young innovator.

Student Making Waves with Natural Seasoning

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (5th left), cuts the ribbon to officially open an Island Grill restaurant at the University of Technology (UTech), in Kingston, on February 18. Others (from left) are: Associate Vice-president of Advancement at UTech, Hector Wheeler; Operations Director for Coco Cola Caribbean, Hector Mantellini; Jamaican track star, Yohan Blake, Chief Executive Officer at Wisynco, William Mahfood, and Chief Executive Officer at Island Grill, Thalia Lyn.

Ministries to Promote Healthy Foods

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (3rd right), listens to a comment from Attorney-at-Law, Samuda and Johnson Attorneys-at-Law, Yana Samuels (2nd left), just before the start of a piracy and protection seminar on February18, at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. Others (from left) are: Partner, Samuda and Johnson, Kwame Gordon; Managing Partner, Milton Samuda; and Attorney-at-Law, Kelly Greenaway.

12 years ago Commerce

Jamaica Clamping Down on Piracy

Approximately $2.7 million worth of illegally copied CDs and DVDs were destroyed in 2013, as part of efforts by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) and the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) to combat piracy in Jamaica. The products were destroyed during a court-ordered public demolition, following their use as evidence in a series of successfully prosecuted criminal cases last...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (seated left), is on light conversation with Inter-American Development bank (IDB) Resident Representative in Jamaica, Therese Turner-Jones (seated right), before signing copies of agreements at the Ministry in Kingston, on Tuesday (February 18) for the provision of $3.39 billion (US$31.65 million) by the IDB, People’s Republic of China; and European Union (EU), to finance the government’s Public Sector Efficiency Programme. Observing the proceedings are: Deputy Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Wayne Jones (left); China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong, Xiaojun (centre); and Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation in Jamaica, Jesús Orús Báguena.

12 years ago Finance & Public Service

Government Receives Funds for Public Sector Efficiency Programme

The Government of Jamaica has secured $3.39 billion (US$31.65 million) in multi-lateral loan and grant funding support to implement Jamaica’s Public Sector Efficiency Programme. The funds are being provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); the Government of the People’s Republic of China; and the European Union (EU). The IDB is providing US$14 million; China – US$11 million, under its...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke (left), looks on as Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency, Yasuo Takese (second left) and Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation (JADF), Vitus Evans, hold cheque for grant agreement that was signed on February 18, in Kingston, for revitalisation of the West Indian Sea Island Cotton (WISIC) industry in Jamaica. At right is Chairman of the JADF, Dalkeith Hanna.

12 years ago Agriculture

$11 Million Grant to Revive Cotton Industry

The Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation (JADF) has signed an $11 million grant agreement with the Japanese Government, for the revitalisation of the West Indian Sea Island Cotton (WISIC) industry in Jamaica. The signing, which took place on February 18, also marked the commemoration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan. Speaking at the ceremony, which was held...

Leader of the Opposition, The Most Honourable
Portia Simpson Miller, O.N., M.P.

12 years ago Sport

Jamaica Bobsleigh Team Made a Valiant Effort Says Prime Minister

Prime Minister and Minister of Sports, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller has congratulated the Jamaica bobsleigh team on their valiant effort at the Winter Olympics currently underway in Sochi, Russia. “Your contribution to brand Jamaica is invaluable. Your valiant effort at the highest level of competition has captivated the world and brought pride to your fellow Jamaicans,” said the...

National Safe Schools Coordinator at the Community Safety and Security Branch, Corporal Tanesia Johnson, says the initiative is helping to reduce violence in schools and foster positive behaviour in many students.

12 years ago National Security and PeaceVision 2030Youth

Safe Schools Programme Having Positive Impact on Students

The Safe Schools Programme, geared towards tackling criminal and anti-social behaviour in schools, has been reaping steady successes since its inception 10 years ago. A joint initiative of the ministries of National Security, Health, Education and Youth and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the programme has been implemented in 174 schools islandwide to date, and has been having a positive impact on...

Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (2nd right), along with (from left): Climate Change consultant with the Ministry’s Climate Change Division (CCD), Leonie Barnaby; Principal Director in the Division, Albert Daley (left); and Port Maria’s Mayor, Councillor Levan Freeman, peruse a copy of the Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan Green Paper, during the first climate change public consultation, hosted by the Ministry on Friday, February 14, at the St. Mary Parish Church Hall, Port Maria.

12 years ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentVision 2030

Minister Pickergsill Pleased With First Climate Change Consultation

Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, has expressed satisfaction with the response to and outcome of last Friday’s (February 14) first climate change public consultation, hosted by the Ministry in St. Mary. The meeting, held at the St. Mary Parish Church Hall, Port Maria, was the first in a series of island-wide meetings being held to...

Manager, Population and Health Unit, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Toni-Shae Freckleton, says population not likely to exceed 3 million.

12 years ago Health & WellnessJIS Think TankVision 2030

Population Not Likely To Exceed 3 Million – PIOJ

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) says that Jamaica’s population is not likely to exceed 3 million, based on reduction in current fertility rates, high external migration, and declining mortality. “There has been discussion about Jamaica’s population growing out of control and that is not the case,” said PIOJ’s Manager, Population and Health Unit, Toni-Shae Freckleton. “Data from the Population...