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The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is currently testing a new system, which is expected to shorten the waiting period for outgoing passengers on some airlines. The procedure, which integrates passenger information from airlines with PICA’s immigration system, will allow travellers on certain airlines to bypass outgoing immigration booths. Speaking at a recent press briefing held at the Ministry...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says the Government is intent on transforming the way electricity is distributed island wide with a view to ensuring competition in the generation and distribution of the utility. “We are intent on transforming the way electricity is distributed and that will resolve in a win-win for all because the fact...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has said that the Government is committed to providing Jamaicans with access to information communication technology (ICT) as tool for development. As part of the effort, the Ministry is partnering with the Education Ministry to grant access to thousands of students across the island. “We are trying to create...

The Universal Service Fund (formerly Universal Access Fund) has upgraded the computer laboratory at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation’s Trafalgar Road headquarters in St. Andrew at a cost of $3.5 million. The lab, which was officially handed over on Monday (January 14) during a brief ceremony, has been outfitted with 20 computers, a server, printer, uninterruptible power supply (UPS),...

The Government is implementing a street light energy saving initiative, with the commencement of a pilot project, to be undertaken in three parishes over the next six months. The initiative, being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and United States-based technology and engineering solutions firm, Green Energy RG LLC, is aimed at significantly reducing the...

Work will get underway next month on the construction of a state-of-the-art library and computer centre in the community of Accompong in St. Elizabeth. The project is being funded by recording artiste and music producer, Mystic Bowie, a resident of the area, who is living overseas. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday (January 6), Minister of Education, Hon. Ronald...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) has put aside US$20 million for on-lending to investors to finance and support the construction of information and communications technology (ICT) facilities. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller made the announcement in a national broadcast on Sunday (January 6), that this has the potential to create between 7,000 and 10,000 new jobs....

On New Year's Eve (December 31), just a few hours before the nation greeted 2013, residents of Highlight View and Land Lease in Eastern St. Andrew, were happily celebrating the receipt of electricity in their communities for the first time. With the flick of a switch, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, turned on the street light in...

Cabinet has approved measures aimed at reducing the estimated $2.8 billion electricity costs to the State for island’s 93,000 street lights. Speaking at Wednesday’s (December 19) Jamaica House Media Briefing, at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, announced that Cabinet has approved the introduction of policy standards on the...

Government Senator, Wensworth Skeffery, has called on the Education Ministry to make the teaching of science compulsory for all students at the primary and secondary levels. He said that enhancing knowledge in the sciences is vital to the country's progress. The Senator, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on December...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, says that the Government is actively seeking opportunities for public-private partnership to develop additional Information Communication Technology (ICT) space to meet growing demand. She noted that some 26 companies are providing over 13,000 jobs in the offshore business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, while other investors...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, says increased efforts will be made to speed up Parliamentary deliberations on the Cybercrimes Act. The State Minister told JIS News that a proposal will be made to House Leader, Hon. Phillip Paulwell and his Opposition counterpart,  Delroy Chuck, for the establishment of a...