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The Government is to embark on a major Information and Communications Technology (ICT) initiative in March, aimed at improving the efficiency levels within the administration. Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, made the disclosure during a ceremony to officially open the Eastwood Park Computer Resource Centre in Kingston, on January 28. “There is going to be...

The Jamaica Customs Department is looking to implement a new international Information Technology (IT) system to automate custom processes and compile accurate trade statistics. The programme, the Asycuda World Information System, is currently used in over 85 countries. Commissioner of Customs, Major Richard Reese, made the announcement at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Thank’, held on January 23. Major...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) capacity to effectively investigate property theft using synthetic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology has been boosted with the donation of equipment valued at approximately $1 million by telecommunications firm, Digicel. Some 50 kits, manufactured by British company, Selectamark Security Systems, under its SelectaDNA brand, were presented to Police Commissioner, Owen Ellington, during Tuesday’s (January 22) launch...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, is encouraging members of the private sector to partner with the Government for the construction of office space, especially in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. “We see a number of investors coming to Jamaica to say, ‘they want to now shift location and Jamaica is the best place’...our...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to establish a single regulatory body to effectively monitor the telecommunications sector. Minister Paulwell was speaking during a recent interview on the Jamaica Information Service’s (JIS) ‘Issues and Answers’ programme with Ian Boyne. “We do intend to now have a single regulator for all...

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....