Amendments to the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) (Interim) Regulations are being finalised. The Regulations will govern the licensing regime for the cultivation, harvesting, processing/manufacturing, transporting and retailing of ganja. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, provided details while addressing the Standing Finance Committee in the House of Representatives on March 6. “The Regulations are being...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill remains a priority of the Government. “We have been driving that forward. What I would say is that for us to get it right, it requires the necessary interrogation so that the product will be fit to respond to our environment,” he...

Young farmers and youth interested in a career in farming are being encouraged to produce coconuts and their by-products, through the Coconut Industry Board (CIB). Operations Manager at Michael Black Farms, Zachary Black, said the sector presents an opportunity for sustainable earning and innovation using Jamaica’s coconuts. “We want to encourage people that it's not just a long time, because...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, has hailed the ‘Fun in the Son’ festival as a dynamic product that not only platforms local gospel talent but provides important economic and business opportunities. “The business linkages that are formed through logistics and planning, internships for young upcoming gospel acts, and the sharpening of creative skills is what...

Island Recognized for Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways Jamaica has been named Global Destination of the Year at the renowned travel trade show, ITB in Berlin. The award was presented yesterday by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association’s (PATWA). The PATWA is a nonprofit international media organisation of travel writers founded in 1999 and the awards seek to recognize organizations, destinations/brands...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second left), greets President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, André Lewis (right), during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s North Street offices in Kingston on Wednesday (March 6). Others (from left) are President, Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), St. Patrice Ennis and Vice President, Bustamante Industrial Trade Union...

A vessel valued at US$250,000 is slated to arrive in the island this month to facilitate the training of fishers in pelagic fishing. Acquisition of the vessel forms part of the World Bank’s Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience (PPCR) in the Fisheries Sector Project, which aims to enhance the ability of fishers and the fisheries sector to recover from climate-related impacts...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, has informed that elements of the Mason Hall water project in St. Mary will commence in less than two months. “There are elements that are tied to the CDB (Caribbean Development Bank) funding but, certainly, some of the distribution network will commence in...

The Government has made provision for the maintenance of the island’s network of secondary roads beyond the Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) Programme. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, gave the assurance while responding to questions during today’s (March 6) sitting of the Standing...