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The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting a 9.56 per cent decline in major crimes between January and September this year, relative to the corresponding period last year. Speaking at the Institute’s quarterly media briefing at its New Kingston offices on Tuesday (Nov. 20), Programme Director for the PIOJ’s Plan Development Unit, Richard Lumsden, disclosed that some 276 major...

Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, says that Jamaica should focus on developing its services industry as this is currently the most promising area for economic growth. Addressing a breakfast forum at the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) headquarters in St. Andrew on November 15, Dr. Panitchpakdi noted that the services sector...

Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, has pledged to work with the Government and relevant agencies to make the Vision 2030 national development plan more integrated and to see what kinds of projects can be moved forward. He made the commitment on November 13, while delivering the keynote address at the...

The City of Montego Bay is now home to the new Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ). The association will ensure the proper representation of operations in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and promote and enhance investment in an industry, which has become a major employer. Speaking at the official launching ceremony on Friday...

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, has hinted at a possible review of the provisions of Jamaica’s Education Code of Regulations, commencing next year. The code outlines a series of procedures, which must be followed for disciplinary procedures, addressing issues such as natural justice, and the right of representation and appeal, for the process to be completed. Speaking at...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the ‘I Believe’ Youth Initiative, now in its second year, has received positive comments from participants, and  tremendous support from resource persons. “One of the welcome results is the decision of several of the presenters and facilitators to become ‘I Believe’ Ambassadors. This means that they have declared their commitment...

The Government of Jamaica has disbursed some $21 million in economic empowerment grants to 62 persons with disabilities between November 2008 and October 2012. Additionally, more than $12 million in assistive aids were paid out to some 144 persons from April 2008 to October 2012. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, outlined the figures at an economic...

Minister of State for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, says that the government is committed to providing Jamaicans with access to computer technology and for them to use it in productive ways to improve their lives and the country’s economy. "Access puts you in the game. Many of our youngsters (may not) have the aptitude for...

Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Dr. Dwayne Vernon, has underscored the entity’s vision of becoming Jamaica’s leading community development agency and, in the process, helping to facilitate good governance, economic prosperity, and a sustainable environment across the society. Speaking at the first in a series of Parish Meetings, jointly hosted with the Ministry of Local Government and...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), through its Vision 2030 Unit, will be hosting a viewing of the Vision 2030 information video, in its training room, at 16 Oxford Road, Kingston, today (October 17), at 3:00 p.m. Communication Specialist at the PIOJ, Carmen Miller, said the rationale for the viewing is to showcase what the video entails, in an effort...

Residents of five communities in downtown Kingston now have access to proper bathroom facilities, following the official handing over of 100 sanitation units on September 27. The communities include: Central Kingston, Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town, Hanna Town and Fletcher's Land. Valued at approximately $109 million, the units  were financed by the PetroCaribe Development Fund, through its grant facility which is...

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the Global Logistics Hub could add 17 per cent growth to Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over six to eight years. The figures, Mr. Hylton said, were baseline estimates provided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The Minister was briefing senior journalists on the global logistics hub, at a breakfast...