St. Elizabeth farmer Dionne Blake could not hide her joy as she walked on the newly paved segment of farm road in her community of Cornwall Top. “I can get up in the morning now put on my fancy slippers and my feet don’t get dirty. Before, I would have had to be dodging potholes and stones, and jumping all...

More Jamaicans are now enjoying potable piped water in their homes than at any other time in the nation’s history. Over the last three years, 180,000 Jamaicans have benefited from recent investments in water infrastructure. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, noted that over the past five to six years, there...

As the December 15 start of the winter tourist season approaches, excitement is building in the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland, for the commencement of daily flights by American Airlines to the Ian Fleming International Airport. American Airlines announced in May that it would begin the daily service to the airport, based in Boscobel, St. Mary, on...

In 2013, Jordan Dawson decided to take the plunge in fulfilling a long-held dream of starting a business that would be focused on buying and selling fresh, local produce like mango, breadfruit and ackee to international markets. Hailing from St. Thomas, there was no shortage of farmers to choose from in terms of securing supplies. But, at the very outset,...

The Care for Kids Junior Golf Programme, spearheaded by professional golfer, Bill Williams, is a transformative initiative that has been changing the lives of youth in communities along Jamaica’s north coast since 2004. Through the power of sport, the programme provides underprivileged youth with an opportunity for professional and personal growth, through mentorship and discipline. Mr. Williams, a seasoned professional...

Airbnb hosts in the northeastern parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland are looking to tap into the lucrative Airbnb market as the winter tourist season approaches. This innovative platform, which allows visitors to stay in private homes and unique accommodations, represents a shift in the way people approach travel and lodging. Unlike traditional hotels, Airbnbs offer a community-based...

Jamaica is experiencing a significant uptick in African-American visitors, which tourism officials and business interests regard as welcome news for the hospitality sector and a major boost for the economy. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, attributes this development to the strategic marketing initiatives of the Ministry and its relevant agencies, including the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), which have effectively targeted...

A new economy of St. Thomas is steadily being developed by the Government, with several major projects underway to transform the Eastern parish into a mecca of social and economic progress. In addition to the multi-billion-dollar Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, which will soon be called the Right Excellent Paul Bogle Highway, in recognition of the significant contribution of the...

Phased roll out of the National Identification System (NIDS) is underway, marking a new era in Jamaica’s digital transformation. The digital system, which uses advanced biometrics technologies, provides a safe, secure, reliable and convenient form of ID, enabling seamless verification of a person’s identity. It will be a gamechanger, improving the efficiency and accessibility of government services, while also addressing...