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State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Ronald Robinson, has expressed appreciation to the People's Republic of China, for that country's recent contribution to the relief effort, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Gustav. "That we can rely on each other in times of need, is a mark of the close friendship we enjoy at all levels....

Chief Procurement Officer in the Ministry of Education, Leon Fraser, has disclosed that more than $48 million has so far been spent on the issuance of contracts to manufacture school furniture, some of which are already being delivered, despite the challenges being faced with access. "To date, we have ordered furniture in the region of $48 million, and that dollar...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, is among the heads of state of several countries in attendance at the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting, now underway at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in Manhattan, New York, U.S.A. The opening plenary session got underway just after 10:00 am (NY time), with a diverse group of world leaders in an action-oriented...

The first year in office was hectic for the new Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, whose portfolio also includes Entertainment, Community Development, and Women's and Gender Affairs. In her wide ranging contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate titled "Defining Ourselves," Minister Grange said, "I have the honour to lead this Ministry at a time of social...

The CARICOM Competition Commission, which was established in January this year, could become functional by early next year. This was noted by Attorney-at-law, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, one of the seven Commissioners on the CARICOM Competition Commission, in an interview with JIS News. "As you know, the Commission is not yet off the ground. We had a meeting in February and...

The achievements of the Land Information Council of Jamaica (LICJ) were recognized at the recently concluded 4th Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Caribbean Conference held in the Cayman Islands. URISA is a non-profit association of professionals involved in improving urban and regional environments through the use of information technology. The URISA conference was held under the theme 'Evolution...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, has informed that the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav on August 28, has resulted in 79 per cent damage to Jamaica's banana and plantain industry. "The Eastern Banana Estate and the St. Mary Banana Estate, sustained damage of 95 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. The Jamaica Producers Group Limited, operators of both...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, has noted that higher inflation and interest rates will have an effect both on the country's revenue and expenditure. "The higher inflation could in fact lead to increased revenue, particularly with respect to income and consumption taxes. The Government of Jamaica, is also a purchaser of goods and services, and accordingly,...

Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, has emphasised that stakeholders in the education system need to be accountable for the outcomes within the sector. "A challenge is to get our leaders in education, our education administrators, instructors, teachers to be accountable for the outcomes of the Education Ministry. For too long in our education system, we have not had a strong...

The Hyacinth Williams Foundation for Children (HWFC) today (Sept. 24), launched a project valued at $16 million, at the Rousseau Primary School in Kingston. The project includes the construction of a two storey, four classroom building; equipping the school's special education centre with computers and literacy boosting software; giving a financial boost to the school's performing arts programme; and establishing...

The House of Representatives yesterday (Sept. 23), approved a Ministry Paper for the Heads of Agreement, between the Government of Jamaica and Infinity Bio-Energy of Brazil. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, who moved for the Ministry Paper to be approved, noted that the Government is committed to the country's strategy for the adaptation of the sugar cane industry up...

Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Karl Samuda, has cited an urgent need for what he describes as an "integrated approach", to attracting the quality of investments to Jamaica, that will yield significant and substantial benefits to the country. Speaking at the global launch in Jamaica, of the World Investment Report for 2008, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston...