The Consumer Protection (Validation and Indemnity of Tribunal) Act, 2023, which seeks to validate and confirm the activities of the Consumer Protection Tribunal for a period of one year, was passed in the Senate on Friday (May 5). It also validates and confirms the continuation of the Tribunal and the official acts of the members of the Tribunal during the...

As the Government continues its thrust to bridge the digital gap, particularly in rural areas, the Universal Service Fund (USF) has established free Wi-Fi hotspots in 189 communities across the island to date. The latest communities to benefit from the project are Little London and Town Head in Westmoreland Western, following the launch of free Internet service in the rural...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is pleased to announce the opening of Cohort Three of its Innovation Grant Fund (IGF), a programme targeting medium-sized Jamaican companies. The DBJ is also advising that there are two (2) new areas of focus – Climate Resilience (mitigation and/or adaptation) and Women-owned/led businesses. The grant is valued at Twenty Million Jamaican Dollars (J$20...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (left), accepts a gift from Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, during a courtesy call by the Ambassador at the Ministry’s offices in St. Andrew on May 4.

Thirteen microcredit institutions that provide financing to individuals and micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) have been licensed since the implementation of the Microcredit Act, 2021. “We have over 100 microcredit institutions that have applied to be licensed, and that’s a process that will take some time,” said Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke....

The National Works Agency (NWA) has completed rehabilitation of the Martha Brae to Holland road in Trelawny. This was disclosed by Community Relations Officer at the NWA’s Western Office, Janel Ricketts, who informed that the roadway was completed last month at a cost of $15 million. She said the project forms part of a targeted approach to upgrade the 16-kilometre...

Individuals making disclosures to the Integrity Commission (IC) under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2011 are encouraged to do so in good faith and in the public’s interest. This urging comes from the agency’s Senior Complaints Review Officer, Alecia Darby, who implores persons providing information to do so responsibly. “It is not about making a complaint because you have a vendetta...