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The Government is steadfast in its thrust to develop the local biofuels industry, producing ethanol from local feedstock and boosting exports of this highly valued fuel, under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson, says that it is toward this end that Jamaica last year accepted an invitation to join the Memorandum of Understanding...

The Department of Local Government is turning to green technology in a major thrust to cut expenditure at the local government level. One of the areas being looked at is the use of solar-powered streetlights, and the Department is already testing one of these lights on Hagley Park Road in Kingston, just outside its offices. The Department began testing the...

Educators, administrators, tertiary students and a host of other players in the education sector will explore a broad range of issues at Eduvision 2009, at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Montego Bay St. James, November 23 to 24. Eduvision 2009, the fourth biennial international conference and exposition on technology in education and training, will focus on the use of...

General Manager of Petrojam, Winston Watson, has stated that the refinery is now ready to supply both grades of E10 (a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) to service stations, islandwide. In an interview Friday (October 30) with JIS News, Mr. Watson disclosed that as of November 1, both E10 87 and E10 90 (Octane) will be rolled out...

The employment forecast for Jamaica shows opportunities in education, health care and social assistance, and professional and business services, including Information Communication Technology (ICT). Hospitality, financial, scientific and technical services, construction, and creative and cultural industries, also show strong prospects. Manager of the Human Development Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Mr. Steven Kerr, made the revelation as...

For most persons, retirement is a time for relaxation, after years of contributing to the development of the country. However, for some it's a time to learn a new skill or to further their education. In an interview with JIS News, Parish Organiser for the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) in Manchester, Mrs. Estella Dyer-Crawford, says that senior citizens...

A number of communities in St. Elizabeth are benefitting from support from the Alpart bauxite company despite the closure of mining operations in the parish. The company, through its Community Council, is providing more than 300,000 gallons of water per day to residents from its St. Elizabeth wells, while maintaining a number of its social programmes in education, agriculture, sports,...

Two waste-to-energy plants are slated for early construction, which will see the country saving some US$60 million in the fuel importation bill, annually. This was announced today (October 16), by Minister of Energy and Mining, Honourable James Robertson, at a two-day Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, being held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James. "Jamaica is on...

World Food Day (WFD), observed on October 16 since 1979, is a worldwide event designed by the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to increase awareness and understanding of year-round action to alleviate hunger. There have been tremendous advances in technology, but the world is still challenged by the scourge of hunger, with an estimated increase of 105 million...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw, met Thursday (October 8) with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President, Luis Alberto Moreno, in Madrid, where he encouraged increased IDB support to Jamaica, particularly in the areas of agriculture and energy, in addition to policy based loans. His call came in the context of the 98th Meeting of the...

Scrap metal dealers have been given one month to co-operate with the Government in uncovering the source of illegal activities, which have re-surfaced in the industry. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, made the announcement at a press conference at his New Kingston office earlier this week following a meeting with the dealers. He said that certain...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has defended Government's decision to increase both the departure and telephone taxes, noting that the call to roll them back is a normal response from the public. The departure tax was increased from $1,000 to $1,800 while there has been an increase from 20%- 25% on telephone cards, telephone calls and instruments. Mr. Golding...