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The Ministry of Education’s Alternative Secondary Transitional Education Programme (ASTEP) has been boosted with the donation of computers by the Digicel Foundation. The Foundation, on Tuesday (March 7), signed an agreement with the Ministry at the Seaview Gardens Primary School that will see 36 computers being placed in six schools island-wide.  Speaking at the signing ceremony, Education Minister, Rev. Hon....

The Senate, on Friday March 9th approved a motion seeking to have the use of communication technology by members permitted in the Upper House. The Motion which was moved by Senator Norman Grant speaks specifically, to allowing the use of computers to access compact discs and other sources of information, on the basis that major developments in technology, generally, and...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, on March 7 issued a licence for CreditInfo Limited to operate the first credit bureau in the country. “I signed the first licence under the Credit Reporting Act…and we hope overtime, that this will help to improve the quality of the loan portfolio of the banks,” Dr. Phillips said...

Exposing at least one million young Jamaicans to the exciting and intricate discipline of robotics, regardless of their socio-economic background, is the objective of Halls of Learning Founder, Marvin Hall. This, he believes, is crucial in building the knowledge-based economy, which is so critical to the country’s progress. “I believe that our children must be exposed to the best the...

Jamaica could soon benefit from significant new investment in a number of sectors, coming out of the just concluded Jamaica Investment Forum. A number of the investors, who attended the event held from March 1 to 2 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, said they were impressed by the suite of projects presented and are ready to...

Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, wants musicians, parents and guardians to act more urgently in ensuring that the nation’s children are safeguarded against exposure to artistic expressions that are deemed inappropriate. Addressing students at Campion College in St. Andrew on Thursday (March 1), as part of her weekly Youth Forum Series, Ms. Hanna said she was particularly "appalled”...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell has defended the use of the US Gulf Coast (USGC) Reference price system by Petrojam in the pricing of its products. Mr. Paulwell noted it has been suggested that the USGC reference price in the pricing formula should be replaced by Caribbean parity prices, on the premise that the Caribbean...

The Government of Jamaica is offering loans of up to US$5 million for investment projects in the information and communications technology industry (ICT). The loans, which are being provided through the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), are aimed at providing “purpose-built space” for the sector, informed Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton. Speaking at a roundtable session at...

Students at 12 Corporate Area high schools are set to benefit from a series of one-day workshops aimed at exposing them to the exciting discipline of robotics. Dubbed “Lego Yuh Mind Day”, the initiative is the undertaking of Halls of Learning, a Jamaican-based organisation dedicated to empowering the lives of young people through education. The project, which will run from...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton has announced that subject to the implementation of appropriate regulation, the ban on the scrap metal trade may be lifted. While not setting out a timetable for the process that would culminate with the resumption of scrap metal exports, he disclosed that already, the Ministry is in dialogue with stakeholders in...

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining is moving to expand broadband access to make it easier for Jamaicans, especially those in remote areas, to conduct business with government agencies.  Portfolio Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said broadband technology “is going to be a major focus of mine” to ensure that every nook and cranny of Jamaica has access.  “An...

Jamaica is poised for major development in the tourism and energy sectors, with plans advanced for several projects to be undertaken over the short-term. Addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, President of JAMPRO, Sancia Bennett Templer, said that the projects will boost Jamaica’s position as a major destination for doing business. In terms of tourism, she informed that the Fiesta...