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Approximately 300 primary schools across the island are to be provided with high speed Internet service, free of cost, over the next three years. This will be facilitated through partnership between the Government and the LIME Jamaica Foundation. The project will be undertaken in phases with about 100 schools to benefit this year. Speaking at the press conference at LIME’s...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), has launched an energy efficiency project targeted at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The project, called DBJ GreenBiz, is aimed at providing technical and financial assistance in energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy to SMEs. Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and...

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said that significant progress has been made under the e-Learning Project in delivering technology to schools. He informed that the e-Learning Jamaica Company, which was established in 2005 to execute the project, has delivered audio-visual equipment to 166 public high schools, 16 independent high schools, 10 teachers colleges, five community colleges,...

Cabinet, on Monday, reviewed a proposal for the implementation of a mandatory energy efficiency and conservation programme for the public sector. The move comes as Government seeks to diversify energy sources and lower the energy bill, which now stands at some $13.4 billion this year for public entities. As part of the programme, focus will be placed on education and...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has welcomed the installation of a hybrid wind turbine system at a residential home in St. Elizabeth. The $14 million unit, set up by Canadian national, Dr. Eugene Kholov and his Jamaican wife Michelle at their holiday home in Fullerswood, is said to be the largest residential system of the...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has announced that the Government has reached an agreement with telecommunications provider, LIME Jamaica, to open the Montego Bay Free Zone to other providers. The Minister, who made the disclosure at a press conference at the Free Zone, on June 7, commended LIME for giving up the monopoly that was...

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said that the Minister’s Award for Innovation, which will be reinstated this year, will be “far more meaningful”, with award recipients to reap significant benefits. He said that “significant” prizes will be awarded to the category winners and the person copping the major award. He also announced benefits, which will flow...

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has announced plans for the creation of a single entity within the Ministry, which will have responsibility for overseeing and administering activities in Jamaica’s science and technology sector. Speaking at the opening of University of Technology’s (UTech) 2nd international scientific conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston on Tuesday (June...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, said that the administration will be undertaking several conservation projects this year in order to reduce the Government’s electricity bill by 30 per cent. “We are taking the lead in the national conservation effort across all public sector entities. The pilot project will begin at the Office of the Prime Minister,” Mrs....

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says increased and innovative use of science and technology will be the vehicle to propel Jamaica’s growth and development, and lift the country out of its current economic challenge.    Speaking at the opening of the University of Technology’s (UTech) 2nd international scientific conference, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on...

The Government has removed the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on electricity bills for all residential customers, making good on an election promise.  This was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller on June 5, while making her contribution to the 2012/13 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives. “We made a promise before the elections to relieve...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has underscored the deep sense of urgency with which the government is moving to deal with the high level of energy cost that is affecting the country. “We have to find new fuel sources and so we are pursuing natural gas. We believe that there is a role for coal...