The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, which houses the Environment and Climate Change Portfolios, will, next week, host a “Town Hall” consultation on two critical policies. They are the update of the Climate Change Policy Framework for Jamaica and the Emissions Policy Framework for Jamaica. The upcoming “Town Hall” consultation, is one in a series of engagements being...

A sum of $253.5 million is being provided by the Government to continue work on enhancing the resilience of Jamaica’s agricultural sector and coastal areas in the new financial year beginning April 1. The provision is set aside in the 2022/23 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project is intended to protect livelihoods and safeguard food...

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is turning national focus on early-childhood education as Jamaica marks 2022 as the Year of Early Childhood Development. Chairperson of the Regulation and Certification Committee of the ECC Board, David Salmon, told JIS in an interview that the designation provides the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of early-child development, and increase emphasis on...

Research Scientist at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Johann Antoine, is urging Jamaicans to practise proper disposal of electronic (e)-waste. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, he noted that discarded electrical or electronic devices such as old cell phones, monitors, televisions, and tablets, have become a growing...

The region’s capacity to protect crop production has been strengthened following the establishment of a new seed facility at the Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. Funded by the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR), the new seed facility will facilitate storage of seeds in good physical and physiological condition from the time they are harvested until the...

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be able to access up to $50 million at a competitive market rate of 6.5 per cent per annum, with up to 12 years for repayment. This has been made possible under the Manufacturing and Agro-Processing Loan facility, launched by Sagicor Bank on February 15. The product is intended to provide existing medium-sized companies...

Jamaican pioneers in Georgia, United States of America, are being hailed for the role they have played in the advancement of Jamaica as well as their communities overseas. “We salute you and thank you for your contributions to the enrichment of our society and for assisting in the shaping of the future for which we yearn,” said Minister of State...