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The island’s two major utility companies, the National Water Commission (NWC) and Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), will be continuing restoration activities over the weekend, in an effort to return water and electricity to customers, affected by the passage of Hurricane Sandy. Vice President of the NWC, David Geddes, told JIS News today (Oct. 26), that  approximately 55 per cent...

JPS has now restored power supply to more than two-thirds of its customers, and is making every effort to get most back on the grid before the end of the day.  Below are some of the areas in which the Company’s restoration teams are working to restore power to customers today. KINGSTON & ST ANDREW o   Sections of New Kingston...

The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), today (Oct 23), launched its upgraded Document Processing Management Information System (DPMIS), which allows for the automated registration of all company documents. DPMIS II, which takes effect on October 29, is being introduced some five years after the facility was originally implemented. Speaking at the launching ceremony, at JAMPRO's Trafalgar Road offices in New...

  Minister of State for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, is urging operators within the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) sector to make use of technology to advance their businesses. He said that “in order for small businesses to succeed, it is necessary that technology is included in plans going forward”. The use of technology...

The University of Technology (UTech) has launched a research project, aimed at developing a commercially viable hydrogen gas to be used as ‘regular’ cooking gas by householders across the island. “The research focuses on the production of hydrogen gas from water. The hydrogen will be used for cooking. The idea is to provide an affordable substitute to LPG cooking gas,...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley, says there ought to be linkages in the data collection system, which would ensure that all persons  pay their taxes. “We have to reach a stage in our country, in a modern economy, in a modern country, where everyone pays (his or her) fair share,” the Minster...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, is urging small and medium sized enterprises to take advantage of the energy management loan facility being offered by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). The DBJ/PetroCaribe (SMEs) Energy Fund allows SMEs to access loans of up to $30 million at a rate of 7.5 per cent to retrofit...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says the Government firmly believes that it is the private sector that should drive investment in energy projects. He said the duty of the state is to create the enabling environment for investment and then for regulating that environment to ensure that the rules are fair and that everyone observes...

Conducting business in the island will soon be made easier following Cabinet's approval for the tabling of a Green Paper on the Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Entrepreneurship Policy. Speaking at theJamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, explained that the policy seeks to transform Jamaica's...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has said the Government is on track to enable number portability this financial year. He said the process is at a "significant stage", with consultations to get underway next Thursday (Oct.18). The discussion session will be held at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Auditorium in New Kingston commencing at...

The Scientific Research Council (SRC) is on a campaign to re-brand the agency, as it transitions into a premier institution for scientific and technological research. Speaking at a JIS 'Think Tank' on October 2, Chairman of the SRC,  Melisa McHargh,  explained  that for the past six months a concerted effort had been made to re-brand, and bring to market the...

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, has said that within the next few months, his Ministry will be rolling out a pilot plan, to use computer technology to offer teaching instructions in the areas of mathematics and literacy to students in remote areas of Jamaica. He stated that Jamaica is blessed to have a quality technological platform to facilitate...