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Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Trade Act, which will allow for fines up to $2 million and a maximum of two years in prison, for persons found in possession of, or attempting to export stolen scrap metal. Also, the fines for disclosure of confidential information under the Act, are to be updated to a maximum of one million...

The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) has offered to assist the Ministry of Transport and Works and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company's (JUTC) efforts to prevent any future breaches of the Government Procurement Procedures Handbook (GPPH), as it relates to the awarding of contracts. This was outlined by Contractor General, Greg Christie, in a letter to Permanent Secretary in...

Hundreds of children were treated by the Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee, on December 14, at the May Pen Police Station, as part of its effort to reach out to members of the public, in keeping with the spirit of sharing for the Christmas season. Superintendent of Police, in charge of the Clarendon Division, Dathan Henry, said the children's treat is...

The Ministry of Education's Region 5, yesterday (Dec. 17), honoured 10 retired educators, who served in various areas of the education system, including at the Ministry. At the award function, which was held at the Mount St. Joseph Preparatory School in Mandeville, Manchester the honourees were lauded for a combined 41 years of service to education. President of the Bethel...

A cheque valued at $200,000, was presented to the Manchester Parish Council, by telecommunications provider, Digicel, on December 16, to help in the Mayor's Christmas programme. Regional Sales Manager with Digicel, Craig Fisher, told JIS News that the money was part of his entity's thrust to build good relations in the Mandeville area. "We know that there are good efforts...

Jamaica's version of the new CARICOM Passport (CP), will be launched in January 2009. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jennifer McDonald, speaking at yesterday's (Dec.17) JIS 'Think Tank', said that the document will bear the CARICOM logo and the words 'Caribbean Community' on the cover. "It will also bear our Coat of Arms...

Jamaica, earlier today (December 18), received US$90 million of the recently agreed US$101 million loan package from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The major loan agreement covering three loans, was signed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, and the Executive Vice President of the IDB, Daniel Zelikow, in Washington, United States, on December 5, 2008. In...

Measures announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, to assist the tourism sector, specifically the hotel industry, in order to ensure sustainability during the global economic crisis, and to save jobs that might be lost, have been well received. In his address to the nation on Sunday, December 14, the Prime Minister said that one of the measure being implemented includes...

The Government of Jamaica has secured an agricultural loan of US$7.8 million from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), for on-lending to farmers. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday (Dec. 16), said that the loan, which was approved by the Board of Directors of the CDB last week, will be channelled to the agricultural...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles, has appealed to persons with HIV/AIDS to assist in controlling its spread, while urging sanctions against those who intentionally pass on the virus to others. The Minister, who was speaking at the launch of the Ministry's Life Threatening Illness (LTI) policy recently at the Hilton Kingston, said that persons living with the...

The House of Representatives yesterday (Dec.16), approved the withdrawal of $1.1 billion from the Capital Development Fund (CDF), to be paid into the Consolidated Fund, to provide budgetary support for the 2008/09 financial year. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, who moved the resolution, said this latest withdrawal represents the third for the fiscal year. He told...

The Ministries of Agriculture and Energy are collaborating to develop a biofuel policy for Jamaica, as the Government seeks to ensure food and energy security. "A biofuel policy is critical to protect food supply, safeguard the food chain and focus on research and technology to drive efficiencies and production to meet future energy needs while safeguarding the environment," said Minister...