The National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA) is playing a key role in ensuring that Jamaica has a strong national quality infrastructure (NQI) that creates opportunities for expanding trade, which is crucial to economic development. The NQI is a platform to strengthen the quality and standard threshold for locally produced goods and services based on international benchmarks, and includes standardisation,...

The 600,000 patients served by the Orthopaedic Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, in Manchester, are now benefiting from a new C-Arm machine, donated by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund. Valued at $31 million, the equipment was handed over today (November 3) by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) CHASE Fund, William “Billy” Heaven, and Chairman of CHASE...

Jamaica Library Service (JLS) Region Four Director, Marvetta Stewart-Richards, says the agency’s facilities have been retooled and repositioned to offer online services as the entity adapts to the shift towards a technologically driven society. “So, for those persons who can’t find the bus fare or the time to visit a library, once you are a library member, you can access...

The use of geospatial information tools and technologies is critical for the greater economic growth and advancement of the country. This was stated by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, during the launch of activities for Geography Awareness Week and the 20th staging of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day,...

The National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA) is encouraging consumers to check its website, www.ncra.org.jm, for a list of registered local food establishments. The agency is responsible for registering pre-packaged food establishments and partnering with businesses to achieve conformance with established standards and regulations. Head of the NCRA’s Food Safety Inspectorate, Janiese Pinnock, said the list is updated monthly and...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is aware of public comments regarding delays in the clearance of goods by couriers and shipping companies and would like to reassure the public that our processes are operating optimally at all ports. The Agency is committed to its Core Values: Customer-Focused, Accountability, Professionalism, Integrity and Transparency (CAPIT) and to achieve same, it relies on...

The Government is looking to incorporate nuclear power in the country’s energy mix as part of the thrust to make ecofriendly options available to all Jamaicans. Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said it will be used as a medium to long-term option. “It is something that we believe that any country, like Jamaica, would have to...