More

The European Union (EU) has approved $280 million for the resuscitation of the banana industry following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan last September. Vincent Thompson, Manager for the EU's Banana Support Programme, told JIS News that the initiative was part of the EU's long-term commitment to improve the efficiency of the sector and enhance competitiveness. He said the assistance...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Information Technology Office (CITO), Michael duQuesnay has explained that the 2005 Regional Summit on Wireless Technology is not aimed at Information Technology (IT) personnel, but would target business decision makers. "The April 14 summit is a conference for business people who are faced with the challenge of making decisions about IT increasingly on...

On February 4, Meritz Services Ltd. created a little history for itself, when it became the first entity in Jamaica to register under the new Companies Act, which came into force on February 1. It was also the first company to receive its documents on the new security paper being used by the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC)....

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, Dr. Donald Rhodd has announced that the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme would be introduced in all schools across the island as early as next month. He pointed out that sensitization and orientation activities would begin next month by officers of the guidance and counselling departments, in conjunction with...

Caribbean Cement Company yesterday (Feb.16) officially launched its newest product, Carib Cement Plus, which is environmentally friendly and competitively priced. At the launch held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, company chairman Brian Young expressed confidence that the product, which has been available at distribution centres in Kingston, Portmore, Mandeville and Montego Bay since February 14, would satisfy the needs of...

Employers who have been delinquent in remitting their contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) on behalf of their employees, are now being targeted by the Scheme in an effort to make them more aware of the importance of paying over the contributions as well as to highlight the consequences of non-compliance. Representatives of the Scheme met with several such...

The Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas, which has been providing quality healthcare for residents of the parish and sections of Portland and St. Andrew over the last 50 years, will again be graced by royalty, with the visit of Her Royal Highness (HRH) the Princess Royal, niece of the late Princess Margaret, after whom the facility is named. HRH...

Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke, has called on cane farmers to maximize their production of sugar cane, in order for the industry to survive future cuts in the price of sugar by the European Union (EU). Speaking at the launch of the 13th renewal of the annual cane cutters competition, yesterday (February 16), at the Guardian Life Head office in...

Captain Clive Morris is a very proud man. He was recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours List with an MBE (Member of the British Empire), for his services to the Police and the community of Nottingham. "I am proud and humble. I hope this award will open the doors to many other people like me in the community, who...

Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke has said that a total of $502.62 million has been secured to date, for rehabilitation and restoration activities in the agricultural sector following Hurricane Ivan. Of this amount, $128.5 million has been channeled through the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) and $374.12 million through other sources, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Jamaica...

Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke has said that a decision had been taken to begin the distribution of Hurricane Ivan benefits to farmers in Portland, St. Thomas and St. Mary before moving on to the severely hit parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth. Mr. Clarke, who was speaking in Parliament yesterday (Feb.15), explained that since farmers in Manchester and St....

The Jamaica Consulate in Miami has received almost US$346,000 in hurricane recovery assistance from donors in Florida. The funds, which came from charitable and support organizations, churches, educational institutions, corporate donors as well as individuals, have been turned over to the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), which was established by the Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, to coordinate the recovery and...