More

Plans are advanced for the 2006 staging of the Portland 4-H Clubs Achievement Day, which promises to be the bigger and better than previous years. The event, scheduled for April 12 on the grounds of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), will culminate activities in the parish to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs. Clinton...

Note the special significance of the occasion - this being my last address to the annual gathering of the Diplomatic Corps, before demitting office as Prime Minister. We have commenced 2006 with renewed determination to urgently confront the serious challenges which still occupy our attention; but one which gives cause for hope that the modest gains in the quest for...

On Wednesday Jan 25, 2006, Prime Minister Patterson told the Diplomatic community that the time had come for Jamaica to intensify the dialogue about the financing of political parties. He made the comments as he delivered his last speech to the Diplomatic Corps in observance of Diplomatic Week. Mr. Patterson said that the Government was in the process of introducing...

His Excellency Dennis Francis, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago has hailed Prime Minister Patterson as a man of honour and principle. He said that the Prime Minister was highly regarded statesman both locally and internationally. His Excellency was speaking on behalf of the members of Diplomatic Corps who were present at this morning's...

Jamaican writer, Marlon James has been named on the shortlist for best first novel in the 2006 Commonwealth Writers Prize, having presented his debut novel, 'John Crow's Devil'. The shortlist for four regions in the Commonwealth Writers' Prize was announced on January 23. Marlon James is among the five writers selected in the Canada/Caribbean region for best first book. Regional...

Prospects for increased trade between Jamaica and Minnesota in the United States (US) have been significantly enhanced, with the staging of a trade and investment seminar in Minneapolis on Monday (Jan. 23). The event was organized by the Jamaica Minnesota Organization (JMO) in collaboration with the Minnesota Trade Office and was designed to acquaint businesses in Minneapolis and the neigbouring...

Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies Sir Shridath has stated that Jamaica's pursuit of growth and development must be seen in the economic context of globalization in which multinational corporations were increasingly dictating the nature and direction of the global economy. He was speaking on Tuesday (Jan. 24) at a panel discussion organized by the Cabinet Office...

Work is to begin soon on the upgrading of the Spanish Town Hospital, including the refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency wing of the institution, and construction of a two-storey medical records building as well as an additional walk-way. The upgrading work will enable the hospital to meet the increasing demands of residents in the parish and prepare the complex...

The resurfacing and drain construction work undertaken by the National Works Agency (NWA) on the Goodens River to Glasgow main road in Westmoreland has been completed. In an Interview with JIS News, the NWA's Manager, Communication and Customer Services Department, Stephen Shaw, explained that the work, which was done at a cost of just over $5 million involved the resurfacing...

Businesspersons in Mandeville are being invited to participate in the Companies Office of Jamaica's (COJ) two-day outreach, slated for February 2 to February 3 at the Golf View Hotel. "This year, we are targeting in particular, company directors, managers, secretaries and accountants," explained Compliance field officer with the COJ, Keith Andrade. He is encouraging companies to "take advantage of this...

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has launched its online quiz competition, which will allow the winner to become a soldier for a day. The competition began on January 9, and will close at midnight on March 1, 2006. The competition is open to members of the public and students, however only students between the ages of eight and 17, and...

The net worth of the National Export-Import (EX-IM) Bank of Jamaica increased by $81.15 million to $1.448 billion at March 31, 2005, compared to $1.367 billion at the end of 2004. According to a Ministry Paper, tabled in the House of Representatives recently by Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, the increase was due to profits generated and the Bank's retention...