Jamaica has lost a giant The passing of Mr. Francis 'Paco' Kennedy has taken from us a giant in the field of commerce and business  in Jamaica. He was literally born with manufacturing in his blood, being a descendant of the founders of the popular GraceKennedy Company. Mr Kennedy was always driven by the desire to improve the cause of...

I too would like to add my word of welcome to all of you in attendance today and to the IMF for hosting the third Caribbean High Level Forum in Jamaica. Several studies have shown that the main constraints to growth are primarily on the supply side.  These include: (1) a high debt burden with the associated impact on the...

This afternoon I will update this Honourable House, and the nation regarding two recent issues, which this Administration considers to be serious threats to our national security. The first concerns our recent refusal to land a CARICOM national in the interest of public safety and security, and the second, the security sector’s contribution to Jamaica’s preparedness for the threat posed...

My Fellow Jamaicans & our Diaspora Brothers and Sisters: National Heroes Day always provides us with an important moment for reflection.   We use this occasion to remember the bravery, courage, resilience and persistence of those who struggled, in various ways, to ensure that today we can enjoy the fruits of freedom and Independence. Today we pause, once again, to salute...

My Fellow Jamaicans:   Our annual commemoration of Heritage Week is an important point on the national calendar; culminating in the observance of Heroes’ Day and the conferment of national honours and awards on deserving Jamaicans. Heroes’ Day affords us the opportunity as a nation, to reflect on the lives of our forebears, celebrate their achievements, and recognize their sterling...

The leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen in Trinidad and Tobago, Yasin Abu Bakr was today refused entry to Jamaica. He arrived on a flight from Trinidad and Tobago and was refused leave to land under Section 4 (1) h of the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act, which states: “The following Commonwealth citizens (not being persons deemed to belong to...

Statement by the Hon. Minister of Education To the House of Representatives   Mr.  Speaker, I have tabled in the House a Ministry Paper outlining interim measures being implemented by the Government to regulate the tertiary education sector.   Globally, tertiary education represents the fastest growing service sector, with the potential for significant foreign exchange earnings. In Jamaica the sector...

I want to thank Food for the Poor as it is this kind of charity not only in the good times but also what we could regard as bad times that makes a nation grow. It was only two months ago that I was here receiving I/V fluids from Food For the Poor after Jamaica was impacted by a world-wide...