As part of a strategy to re-build the coffee industry, Government Senator, Norman Grant, has called for the imposition of a cess on imported coffee. He suggested that this levy could be placed in a special fund to be used to expand the local coffee industry. Senator Grant, who is also President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), made the...

The Port Authority of Jamaica and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) have arrived at an Initial Framework Agreement that provides the general terms and conditions under which discussions will continue regarding the proposed development of Portland Bight/Goat Island. Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, in a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday,...

Opposition Senator, Robert Montague, is recommending that the Government utilise the expertise of retired judges and lawyers to clear the backlog of cases in the courts. “They can firstly review some of the case files and close some and move swiftly to trial with the others,” he argued. Senator Montague, who was making his contribution to the State of the...

The Government has banned the importation of all jet skis for commercial or private use for a further six months, until October 15, 2014. This was disclosed by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, during a sitting of the House of Representatives on February 18. Following two accidents involving jet skis on August 17 and 21, 2013, Cabinet...

Debate on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill, popularly called the ‘anti gang’ legislation, began in the House of Representatives on February 11. The Bill makes provision for the disruption and suppression of criminal organisations and outlines offences, in order to restore a sense of security in the Jamaican society and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies...

A high level delegation from Sinohydro Corporation Limited in China, will visit Kingston later this month, to conclude negotiations for the financing and equity investment of the Harmony Cove Development project. This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 11, as he gave an update...

Government Senator, Wensworth Skeffery, is calling for a transformation of the government teacher colleges into institutions which focus on providing the type of training that is needed in the country. The Senator was opening the debate on a motion calling for a comprehensive reorganisation of teacher training in Jamaica, in the Senate on February 7. “Change the mandate of all...

The 2014/2015 Estimates of Expenditure  will be tabled in the House of Representatives on Thursday, April 3, by  Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. The tabling will follow the State Opening of Parliament, when the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, will deliver the Throne Speech outlining the Government’s priorities for the new...