More

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, says the drafting of a Diaspora and Development Policy, is imperative based on challenges the country faces as a result of migration.  “The need for a policy framework has become very apparent…We are determined to look at policy options available to mitigate these challenges,” Mr. Brown said, as he...

Jamaica and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Canadian Military Operation Support Hub. The MoU was signed at the Ministry of National Security’s Oxford Road offices by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting and Canada’s National Defence Minister, Hon. Peter MacKay, on June 26. The establishment of the Operational Support Hub (OSH) in Jamaica...

The Government intends to institute a trade policy and modern enforcement mechanism that ensures equity between Jamaica and its trading partners, Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton has revealed. “The (Ministry)…will be embarking on an initiative to put in place a trade policy and enforcement mechanism that seeks to harness the expertise resident in the Trade Board, Fair...

Jamaica, and the rest of the Caribbean, could be under-reporting growth figures, due to how the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is calculated. This is the view of State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnoldo Brown, who has called on business interests and academics in the region to advocate for changes in how the GDP is used as...

The Ministry of National Security has signed a follow-on military co-operation agreement with the People’s Republic of China, under which that country will provide military aid to Jamaica, valued at $136 million. The new agreement, which was sealed in May 2012, include the supply of uniforms, materials for uniforms, ballistic helmets, vests, boots and tents. Details of the contract were...

Jamaica’s trade and investment promotions agency, JAMPRO, will be leading a substantial business focused programme to target buyers, distributors and prospective investors, during the 'Jamaica House' 2012 programme at the O2 in London during the summer Olympics. JAMPRO Vice President, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, said that the agency has learnt from the experience of the Beijing Olympics and will try...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has reminded Jamaicans living overseas that they are just as important to the growth and development of the country as nationals at home. The Prime Minister’s reassurance came in her message to the delegates at the biennial Jamaica Diaspora North East United States conference, held on June 16 at the Reggie Lewis...

Minister of State for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, is urging overseas nationals to look to the island for investment opportunities. Delivering the keynote address at the biennial Jamaica Diaspora North East United States (US) conference held on June 16 at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston, Mrs. Ffolkes-Abrahams cited prospects in information technology, tourism, health tourism,...

Plans are in high gear for Jamaica 50 celebrations in Canada, with the main events scheduled around Independence Day, August 6. A charity golf tournament, a Jamaican flag-raising ceremony, a Carivibe float  parade, Jam Days, Rastafest, an  Independence party and an Independence Grand Gala are among the many events scheduled to take place in Ottawa and across Canada, home to...

Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Her Excellency, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, says that the UK Diaspora must be cohesive in their lobbying efforts to more effectively advance their interests and that of Jamaica. She stated that “a united Diaspora is an effective Diaspora”. “You have to lobby your political representatives to make sure that they put your interests forward...

After leading the Washington-based Jamaican Women of Washington (JWoW) as founder and the driving force behind that organisation’s work for 10 years, President, Dr. Jackie Watson, has announced that she will be stepping aside. Anyone in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia who is familiar with JWoW, its mission and work, knows that its name is synonymous to that of its...

Prominent Jamaican-born lawyer, Ambassador Curtis Ward, has been appointed chairman of the first Commission on Caribbean Affairs in the United States (US). Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, signed Executive Order 01.01.2012.11 creating the first Governor’s Commission on Caribbean Affairs in Maryland, during an afternoon ceremony on June 6 in the state capital of Annapolis. The commission’s creation...