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Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, today (Nov. 12) said that the Government will be seeking to collapse the Self Start Fund (SSF) and the Micro Investment Development Agency (MIDA) and placing these services under the umbrella of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing today (Nov.12) at Jamaica House, Mr. Samuda...

Jamaica's unusually high debt service requirements during the course of this year at $US1.3 trillion, coupled with the seasonal increased demand for foreign exchange, increased margin calls and the remnants of a historically high crude oil bill, have been largely responsible for the sharp depreciation of the Jamaican dollar, against the United States (US) dollar, in recent weeks. This was...

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, has emphasised that despite the global financial crisis, the tourist industry remains buoyant, and that the upcoming Winter season is projected to record a 5 per cent increase over the previous year. The Minister, in an interview with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) from London, England, where he is currently attending the World Travel Market Trade...

Debate on whether the country retains or abolishes the death penalty, began in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11), with Prime Minister, Bruce Golding opening the discussion. At the end of the Debate, Members of Parliament will be requested to give a conscience vote on the issue. In his presentation, Mr. Golding told the Lower House, that concerns...

At least 75 per cent of persons suffering from chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, should have better access to health care, and improved management of their conditions, by 2012. Acting Director of Disease Prevention and Control in the Ministry of Health and Environment, Dr. Sonia Copeland, expressed this optimism, today (November 12), at the launch of the National...

Minister of Energy, Clive Mullings, has urged petroleum marketing companies to make the necessary infrastructural changes at their service stations to meet the growing demand for the new E10 fuel. "There are long lines at the petrol stations as people are requesting E10. It's going very well," the Minister said as he addressed the Rotary Club of St. Andrew luncheon...

Investment opportunities that are available in the island's tourism sector, have been highlighted at a special Investor Forum, hosted by Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), at this year's World Travel Market Trade Show, which is currently underway in London. "Jamaica offers several attractive investment opportunities," Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, told the seminar this week, adding that the sector was the...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has reiterated that the acquisition by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) of the property at Ferry, St. Catherine, which houses the Hydel Group of Schools, was consistent with the UDC's development plan for the Caymanas land. "This plan provides for the mixed-use development of these lands including provision for residential, agricultural, light industrial, commercial, institutional, sport...

Professor of Social and Political Change at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Dr. Brian Meeks, will be one of the panelists at the 25th annual Miami International Book Festival forum on: 'Journalism in the Caribbean'. The panel discussion, to be held on November 15, at 12 noon, is part of the activities highlighting the one-week literary festival,...

The deadline for entries for the National Literacy Essay and Poster Competition has been extended to Friday (Nov. 14). "I want to encourage teachers to submit the entries to the Regional Directors at their respective offices and college students are being reminded that they can participate," said National Literacy Co-ordinator, Laurel Brent Harris. The competition is being held under the...

Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh departed the island this morning (Wednesday) to attend tomorrow in Mexico, the 27th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Rio Group in Mexico. Jamaica is CARICOM's representative to the Rio Group for the period July 2008 to July 2011. The Group, which was formed in 1986...

Investment opportunities that are available in the island's tourism sector, have been highlighted at a special Investor Forum, hosted by Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), at this year's World Travel Market Trade Show, which is currently underway in London. "Jamaica offers several attractive investment opportunities," Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, told the seminar this week, adding that the sector was the...