This year marks the 60th anniversary of partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The milestone was celebrated with a reception on March 24 at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, St. Andrew, which was also streamed online. Representing the Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith,...

     

Jamaica has received medical equipment, valued US$628,714.12, from the governments of the Republic of Korea and Canada, to bolster the national coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response. Korea’s donation, valued US$500,000, includes 50 defibrillators, 50 electrocardiograph (ECG) and 100 physiological monitors, and COVID-19 testing apparatus. Canada provided critical care beds, ECG and blood pressure machines, laptops, video laryngoscopes, and privacy screens valued...

Real estate salesmen and dealers are being encouraged to renew their professional licenses as stipulated, to avoid a 50 per cent penalty fee. The license fees for dealers and salesmen remain at $44,000 and $22,000, respectively. All licenses expire on March 31, the end of the financial year, but Chief Executive Officer of the Real Estate Board (REB)/Commission of Strata...

The Ministry of Education and Youth is reporting smooth administration of the 2022 Grade Six Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Ability Test on Thursday (March 24). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, indicated that 35,923 students from public and private schools sat the test at 1,052 designated centres, noting that the exam “went well”. “These are all students who will be making...

Holders of beach licences are being reminded to submit their applications for renewal before the March 31, 2022, deadline. For the processing of applications for renewal, the licensee is required to submit the completed application form (Parts A through C), pay the required application fee and provide an updated project brief, which will be used to determine whether any operational...

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector are being sensitised about the possible changes that are coming to the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Produce Safety Rule, which will require them to carry out assessments to ensure that water used to grow produce is free from contaminants. The FDA is proposing a revision to Subpart E of the FDA...