Jamaica’s economy grew by an estimated 2.7 per cent during the January to March 2023 quarter. This represents the eighth consecutive quarter of growth recorded, according to Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry. “The preliminary out-turn for the quarter resulted in growth of 4.3 per cent for Fiscal Year 2022/23 and represents full recovery...

Praedial larceny remains a clear and present danger to the agricultural sector and must be dealt with as a matter of urgency, says Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green. Speaking at the Westmoreland Agricultural Show 2023, at the Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on May 28, Mr. Green said that it is against this background that a...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Accelerated Promotion Programme has been hailed by the Crime Monitoring Oversight Committee (CMOC) for some of the significant improvements observed in the Force’s human resource. The programme, which was launched in 2020, aims to expand the number of senior officers in the constabulary by promoting rank and file cops after extensive vetting and training. CMOC’s...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the late Alvin “Dickie” Butler, owner of the well-known Best Kept Secret restaurant in Portland, was a true ambassador for Jamaica. Mr. Butler died on the early morning of May 14 at his Port Antonio home. The Tourism Minister said Best Kept Secret “is an internationally acclaimed eatery of the highest order, which...

Portland-based banana and plantain farmer, Winsome Crosdale Delaney, is lauding the Banana Board for the invaluable support provided in enabling her to boost production. Speaking to JIS News in a recent interview, she said over the past 12 years, the Board has provided technical assistance through scientific research conducted on her farm. “This has really assisted me to increase my...

Schools and other entities handling individuals’ personal information can expect an effortless process when registering with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC). Information Commissioner, Celia Barclay, said the organisation is developing a tool that will guarantee easy submission. She was speaking at the recent Technology in Education Conference, hosted by e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited in Kingston. “Based on the...

The new Customs Act, when passed, will provide the centrepiece for the modernisation and transformation of the Customs landscape, says Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke. He noted that the legislation will better address the complexities of the modern trade and commerce environment and facilitate ease of cross border trade and other commercial activities....