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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller to Attend European Development Days Activities in Brussels

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller left the island Sunday to participate in bilateral meetings and activities at the 8th Annual European Development Days (EDD) organised by the European Commission. The European Development Days event is Europe's premier...
Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (centre), converses with Chairman of Europe’s third largest hotel chain, Melia Hotels International (MHI), Gabriel Escarrer Julia (left), during the signing of an agreement between MHI and the National Insurance Fund (NIF) for the provision of upwards of 400 jobs at the Braco Hotel in Trelawny which MHI will operate over the next 15 years. The signing took place at the Braco Hotel on November 21. Arrangement for the jobs were finalized following discussions involving Dr. McNeill; Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (right), under whose portfolio the NIF falls; and Mr. Julia.
Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (centre), converses with Chairman of Europe’s third largest hotel chain, Melia Hotels International (MHI), Gabriel Escarrer Julia (left), during the signing of an agreement between MHI and the National Insurance Fund (NIF) for the provision of upwards of 400 jobs at the Braco Hotel in Trelawny which MHI will operate over the next 15 years. The signing took place at the Braco Hotel on November 21. Arrangement for the jobs were finalized following discussions involving Dr. McNeill; Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (right), under whose portfolio the NIF falls; and Mr. Julia.

400 More Jobs for Jamaicans at Braco Hotel
American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) Executive Director, Becky Stockhausen (left, seated); and Chief Executive Officer, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition for Service Industries (TTCSI) Chief Executive Officer, Nirad Tewarie (centre, seated), both Co-Chairpersons of Services of the Caribbean (SOCA), affix their signatures to the document formalizing SOCA’s establishment during the programme’s launch at the Organization of American States’ (OAS) offices in Washington, D.C., USA, on November 21. Persons observing the formalities are: United States Chamber of Commerce Director for the Americas, Jose Raul Perales (right, seated); and back row, from left: President, Manchester Trade Limited President, Stephen Lande; Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago, Hugh Howard; Chief Executive Officer, TSL Group, Nicholas Galt; and President, Caribbean Central-American Action, Cornelius Prior.
American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) Executive Director, Becky Stockhausen (left, seated); and Chief Executive Officer, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition for Service Industries (TTCSI) Chief Executive Officer, Nirad Tewarie (centre, seated), both Co-Chairpersons of Services of the Caribbean (SOCA), affix their signatures to the document formalizing SOCA’s establishment during the programme’s launch at the Organization of American States’ (OAS) offices in Washington, D.C., USA, on November 21. Persons observing the formalities are: United States Chamber of Commerce Director for the Americas, Jose Raul Perales (right, seated); and back row, from left: President, Manchester Trade Limited President, Stephen Lande; Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago, Hugh Howard; Chief Executive Officer, TSL Group, Nicholas Galt; and President, Caribbean Central-American Action, Cornelius Prior.

Caribbean Coalition Pursuing US-CARICOM Trade in Services
Former Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Kenneth Hall (left), converses with Deputy Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Wayne Jones (right), Accountant General, Accountant Generals’ Department, Carlene Murdock (second left), and Chairman, Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association, Charles Jones, following the opening ceremony of Pensioners’ Day 2013, held at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston on November 22.
Former Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Kenneth Hall (left), converses with Deputy Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Wayne Jones (right), Accountant General, Accountant Generals’ Department, Carlene Murdock (second left), and Chairman, Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association, Charles Jones, following the opening ceremony of Pensioners’ Day 2013, held at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston on November 22.

Pensions Increase Proposal for 2014/15 Sent to Cabinet
Minister with responsibility for Sport in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley. (FILE)
Minister with responsibility for Sport in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley. (FILE)

New JADCO Board to be Appointed

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Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites is greeted by student ushers at Vere Technical High School where he attended the school
Education

Schools Urged to Address Weaknesses in English and Math

Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, is urging secondary school teachers and administrators to focus on advancing students’ competencies in English Language and Mathematics, where weaknesses in these subjects have been identified. Speaking at Vere Technical High School’s annual prize giving ceremony at the institution’s campus in Hayes, Clarendon, on Thursday, November 21, Rev. Thwaites lamented that a significant percentage...
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Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, launching TPDCo’s Language Skills Training Programme for Tourism Workers to participate in Russian and Spanish classes, at the Swept Away Resort, in Negril on Thursday, November 21.
Tourism

Language Skills Training Programme For Tourism Workers

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, through the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), has embarked on a Language Skills Training Programme, aimed at training some 300 persons in the tourism industry, in conversational Russian and Spanish. This move complements the Ministry’s efforts to secure increased airlifts to Jamaica from several non-traditional tourist destinations, including Russia, Latin America and Europe. Addressing...
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Minister with Responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer (centre), listens to a question from a student, during a motivational session on November 21, at the Hampton School in St. Elizabeth. Minister Falconer is a past student of the Hampton School.
Education

Senator Falconer Bonds with Hampton High School Students

Minister with Responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer’s presentation to students at her alma mater, Hampton High School in St. Elizabeth, on Thursday (November 21), has left an indelible impression on the young ladies with whom she interacted. Senator Falconer’s visit to the Malvern-based all girls school, formed part of the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation’s Students Empowerment Week...
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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott (left); and Mayor of Lucea, Councillor Shernet Haughton (centre); cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new Hanover Infirmary on Thursday (Nov. 21). Looking on are Chief Executive Officer of the CHASE Fund, W. Billy Heaven (right); and Member of Parliament for Western Hanover, Hon. Ian Hayles (in background).
Health & Wellness

$40 Million Hanover Infirmary Opens

The 47 residents of the Hanover Infirmary are now living in more comfortable and modern surroundings, following yesterday’s (November 21) official opening of a new $40 million building. Located on the compound of the old facility, on Watson Taylor Drive, Lucea, the infirmary boasts separate male and female dorms with general bathroom facility, private rooms with their own bathrooms, general...
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Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, presents an energy saving light bulb to resident of Brinkley-Links Hill in St. Elizabeth, Dorreth Blake-Whitter. The presentation was made during a ceremony in the community on Wednesday (Nov. 21), to celebrate the turning on of electricity under the Rural Electrification Programme (REP).
Technology

Gov’t Targets 30 per cent Reduction in Electricity Cost by 2016

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has expressed concern over the high cost of electricity in Jamaica, stating that the Government is determined to reduce this by at least 30 per cent by 2016. The Minister made the commitment as he addressed the lighting ceremony for the Brinkley- Links Hill area of South East St. Elizabeth...
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Team Leader for the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) Focal Point Jamaica, Gladstone Rose, highlights to JIS News initiatives being undertaken as part of the bamboo resuscitation project, by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ).
Commerce

Bureau of Standards on Mission to Resuscitate Bamboo Industry

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) is on a mission to resuscitate the bamboo industry in Jamaica, which has the potential to significantly boost the economy and generate employment. Jamaica, in January 2012 became the 38th member of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) - an inter-governmental organization headquartered in China, comprising countries that have bamboo and/or rattan...
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