Director General at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Carol Coy, has highlighted the importance of statistics in impacting economic growth and national development. Speaking at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, Miss Coy said that statistics and the findings from surveys that the agency administers assist in guiding policymakers and providing information to the public. “The Government needs information in...

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica is appealing for more Jamaicans to get trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Director of Cardiac Care at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Dr. Hugh Wong, said that knowledge of CPR can save lives. He was speaking at a JIS Think Tank at the agency’s head office in Kingston on Tuesday (June 14). Dr. Wong noted...

Jamaica is expected to benefit significantly from the implementation of the $1 billion (€7.25 million) European Union (EU)-funded Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) project. The two-phase project is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), and aims to create an enabling environment that supports increased compliance in agriculture and agribusiness exports. Phase one (EPA I) seeks to increase export...

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries says meat products available on the local market are safe. Senior Veterinary Officer and Technical Manager in the Veterinary Services Division, Dr. Winthorph Marsden, gave the assurance at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, where he addressed the issue of drug residue and environmental contaminants in food. He noted that local farmers tend...

The institutional framework to drive Jamaica’s food exports is being strengthened through the accreditation of several laboratories under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The European Union (EU)-funded project is being managed by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). Speaking at a JIS Think on May 31, Project Cycle Management Specialist, EU Unit, PIOJ, Marjorie Stair, said the EPA provides support...

Jamaica’s diagnostic laboratories have been rated among the best in the region, says Senior Veterinary Officer and Technical Manager in the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Winthorph Marsden. “A study was done in the Caribbean about five years ago and a consultant from the European Union went to all Caribbean diagnostic laboratories...

Since the introduction of the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) six years ago, approximately 48,301 students have been trained in technical and vocational skills as well as 5,622 through the General Programme of Literacy and Numeracy. Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean, tells JIS News that for the financial year 2016-2017, the budgetary...