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Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are supporting the establishment of a CARICOM Special Fund for private sector investment in Haiti. The initiative is intended to strengthen the country’s ability to effectively participate in all aspects of the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), as the nation recovers from the series of catastrophes and crises it suffered during...

Regional Heads of Government have been invited by the President of the Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, to attend a two-day retreat in that country to discuss the future of the Caribbean. While a date has not been finalised for the retreat, the intent is for the region’s leaders to deliberate ahead of the July regular meeting of...

The Twenty-Second Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in Grand Anse, Grenada , on 25-26 February 2011.  The Honourable Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada, presided. Other Members of the Conference in attendance were: the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Honourable Winston B Spencer; the Prime Minister of Barbados,...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, says Jamaica is not expected to be negatively impacted by the reported stockpiling of bauxite, alumina and other raw materials by China. Speaking at the PIOJ’s quarterly review briefing at the agency’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday (February 23), Dr. Hutchinson said China’s actions are not a “point...

Registered titles for five properties in St. Mary, owned by the St. Mary Parish Council, were handed over to the Secretary/Manager for the Council by Minister of Water and Housing, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, in Port Maria, on February 24. The properties are the Claude Stewart Park, the Port Maria Market, the Port Maria Civic Centre, and the Old Port...

Cabinet has given approval for the transfer of lands situated at 1-3 Ruthven Road, St. Andrew, to the National Housing Trust (NHT), for the construction of new housing units. The property is currently occupied by a division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz made the disclosure on (February...

Residents of four communities in East Central, St. James have benefitted from training in culinary arts and home management, which will help them prepare nutritious meals for their families and also gain employment or start a business. A total of 25 persons from Windsor Lodge, Somerton, Dumfries and Industry, participated in the 35-hour training course, which was held at the...

Cabinet has approved the restructuring of the Taxpayer Appeals Department and the establishment of a separate Revenue Appeals Division, which will report to the Financial Secretary. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure at yesterday’s (February 23) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. He said that the division, which will operate as...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, has announced the establishment of a Community Renewal Programme Secretariat within the PIOJ. The Secretariat will be headed by university lecturer, Dr. Terry-Ann Gilbert-Roberts, and includes clergyman, Pastor Carrington Morgan. Additional members are expected to be appointed soon. Speaking at the PIOJ’s quarterly briefing at the organisation’s New...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding in addressing Heads of Government at the Intercessional Meeting of CARICOM today (Feb 25) in Grenada highlighted several issues that he hopes will be addressed by CARICOM. High on the list he said was the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the significant tariff liberalization commitments on which we are now required to make good...

Maureen’s Place, a 28-bed facility accommodating deportees and ex-offenders under the Jamaica Reducing Re-Offending Action Plan (JRRAP), was opened on Wednesday (February 23). A collaborative effort between the Jamaican and British Governments, the facility, inside the Open Arms Drop-In Centre on the Bellevue Hospital premises in Kingston, will provide food and shelter on a medium term basis for deported persons...

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), through a series of 14 stakeholders’ fora being held across Jamaica, is taking steps to ensure that consumers and food processors, manufacturers and importers/exporters are educated to make informed choices in purchasing items and utilizing services. During the seventh forum, held at the Montego Bay Civic Centre, St. James, on Monday February 21, stakeholders...