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The Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) is to float a $1.6-billion bond, to finance construction of some 200-thousand square feet. of ICT factory space. This was announced in Parliament Tuesday (January 27) by the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon Karl Samuda, as he outlined a programme to create jobs and boost production, through the expansion of the small...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding heaped praise on the visionaries who made the Cuban-sponsored eye care clinic a reality and which was officially opened today (January 27) at St. Joseph's Hospital in Kingston. Mr. Golding said that the clinic is an example of how developing nations can bring first class projects together. "We may not be admitted into the first world,...

Scientific research conducted at the Port Royal Marine Laboratory and University of the West Indies/Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (UWI/EFJ) Biodiversity Centre could aid in the fight against deadly diseases and eventually save human life, said UWI Mona Principal, Professor Gordon Shirley. He argued that support for the facility is critical as research coming out of the Marine Lab has benefited...

The Government will be amending legislation to ensure that only accompanied baggage benefit from the passenger declaration system, which allows for the importation of up to US$500 worth of goods (personal effects), without duty. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, said this has become necessary as the current system, which gives duty concession on both accompanied...

The need for governments, particularly in the Caribbean and Africa, to develop policies that will counter the impact of the global economic downturn, and climate change, on young people in these regions, has been emphasised by Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Mr. Pierre San

Plans for the implementation of a US$100 million Kingston Sewerage Development Project is on track with international engineering consultancy firm Nippon Koei Limited, undertaking preparatory survey for the project. The survey work, which started in July 2009, will continue until September, during which loan approval is expected to be given. The project, which is being funded by the Government of...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says government's macro economic programme requires a freeze on the public sector wage bill. "The amount of wages is not something that we can go around having discussions and negotiations about. The Government has to determine in its macro economic programme what is possible for wages." Prime Minister Golding said that the wage bill has been...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has publicly addressed the issue of the group of pilots who have expressed an interest to own and operate Air Jamaica. "Any entity that is proposing to take on Air Jamaica by debt financing, borrowing money, I would advise them sincerely, don't go there. If you are not able to get in on the basis of...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding restated the intention to sell assets that the Government is unable to maintain. He was making his contribution to the debate on the medium term economic programme in Parliament on January 26. "We have to get our house back in order...we are faced with a situation where we have to take tough decisions, some of those...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has asked the diplomatic community for the support of their countries and organizations as he leads economic reform in the country. The Prime Minister said, "We are going to need your help and support in so many different areas: in areas of technical co-operation, in areas of investment promotion.. Create new streams of investment activity and...

"Caring for Wetlands - an Answer to Climate Change," is the message for World Wetlands Day this year, celebrated worldwide on February 2. This year's activities will focus on the impact of climate change on wetlands and the role that wetlands play in reducing the effects of climate change. Jamaica has several wetlands, three of which are designated Ramsar sites,...

The Tax Administration's annual Special Taxpayer Service Programme, which provides guidance to small business operators such as shopkeepers, taxi operators, farmers, hairdressers, on how to prepare their Income Tax Returns to meet the March 15 deadline is currently underway. During the eight weeks leading up to the March 15 Income Tax due date, approximately two hundred (200) sessions will be...