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Jamaica launched its National Aid for Trade Strategy on October 27, which is designed to enhancing the country’s export capacity and improve competitiveness. The strategy, developed by the Government in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), articulates the country’s trade-related priorities, and is designed to attract and ensure focused access...

Upgrading the island's infrastructure, in particular the seaports, has been one of the major objectives of the Ministry of Transport and Works, led by Minister, Hon. Mike Henry. This is being done in order to capitalise on the island’s strategic geographical location in relation to other countries in the western hemisphere, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Alwin Hales,...

Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, says the rich history of the nation will be showcased come 2012, as Jamaica marks 50 years as an independent nation. Speaking at the media launch of Jamaica 50 anniversary celebrations on Thursday evening (October 20) on the lawns of Jamaica House, the Minister, who is chairman of the planning committee,...

A new way of thinking and a shared set of core values are needed to transform the public sector, which will foster the creation of a world class public service with a reputation for excellence. This was stated by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for the Public Service, Senator the Hon. Arthur Williams,...

Some 50 senior education officers from the Ministry of Education’s Regions Three, Four, and Five participated in a Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) sensitisation workshop on Friday, October 7, where they discussed the role of the education officers in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan. The workshop, which was held at the St....

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, says for the first time in recent history, the country experienced a 40 per cent decline in murder over the last 15 months. “The year-to-date homicide rate is now 821 compared to 1,097 last year. This means a reduction of 276 homicides so far this year and when compared to 2009,  some 388 fewer...

World Bank representative, Giorgio Valentini, has praised the Government for making "great strides" in streamlining and improving Jamaica’s social safety net and social protection programmes. Speaking at a dissemination forum for the "Diagnostic Study: Review of the Social Safety Net Provisions and Capacity", at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston Tuesday (October 4), Mr. Valentini said the World Bank was privileged...

The popular and powerful medium of sport is proving to be very valuable to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), as the agency continues to promote Vision 2030 Jamaica, the country’s National Development Plan. Through the 2011 National 20/20 Community Cricket Competition, organised by the Social Development Commission (SDC), the agency was successful in spreading the tenets of the plan...

A month-long series of public consultations is being planned by the Ministry of Mining and Energy (MEM), to introduce the re-engineered Draft National Minerals Policy for public approval. The document is entitled The National Minerals Policy: Fostering Sustainability in Jamaica’s Minerals Industry. The month-long consultations are set to begin on October 26, covering the major parishes where mining operations take...

The Government is moving apace to have the island's National Building Act approved, says Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton. "The first draft of this Act has been completed and reviewed by the broad based Building Code Implementation Steering Committee. The comments from the Committee are to be submitted to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for deliberation...

Chairman of the National Housing Trust (NHT), Howard Mitchell,  says there should  be greater collaboration between public and private sector housing industry stakeholders  in the development of  more affordable  housing solutions, particularly low income options, to meet the country's needs. Speaking at an NHT Roundtable Discussion at the agency's New Kingston offices on September  14, Mr. Mitchell noted that since...

In recognition of the media's role in simulating debate on issues of national importance, the National Housing Trust (NHT) has established a special Journalism Award for Excellence in reporting on Sustainable Development and Affordable Housing. Making the announcement during a Roundtable Discussion held at the NHT's New Kingston offices on Wednesday (Sept. 14), the company's Managing Director, Cecile Watson, said...