Modernizing Jamaica’s Correctional Services A Matter of Human Rights, International Reputation and National Security   Introduction The past week has been one of heated debate in the media, and social media, pertaining to the Non-Binding MOU between Jamaica and the United Kingdom for a critically needed, new Maximum Security Prison for the island, facilitated by a proposed Prisoner Transfer Agreement...

State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, has welcomed the installation of renewable energy and energy efficient infrastructure at three locations across the island, which is already realising significant savings from facilities. The energy systems, inclusive of solar panels and wind turbines, have been installed at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) marine laboratories in...

Residents of several communities in South East St. Andrew have had their electricity supply regularised under a community renewal programme being undertaken by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) in collaboration with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). Under the ‘Step Up’ pilot programme, seven communities with high incidence of electricity theft have been targeted for specific interventions, including the re-wiring...

Some 200 students attending tertiary and vocational training institutions are slated to benefit from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF) 2015 Scholarship Programme. The programme, to be launched in three weeks, will provide up to $350,000 to bright students, who are in need of financial assistance to complete their education, said Programme Manager for JSIF’s Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP), Dr....

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Thursday (June 11) ended her participation in a two-day summit of Heads of State and Government of the 28-member European Union (EU) and the 33 countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).The EU is the leading foreign investor in the CELAC region and is its second largest trade partner. The...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will lead Jamaica’s delegation to the second summit meeting of Heads of State and Government of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the 33-member regional grouping of Caribbean, Central American and South American countries representing 600 million people. The discussions to be held in Brussels, Belgium on June 10...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says the Administration continues to strengthen its governance structure to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. Addressing the opening ceremony for the International Conference on Strengthening Legislative Oversight for Fostering Accountability and Sustainable Growth at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday (June 2), Mrs....

Operators in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector could soon benefit from improved access to financing to enhance their business operations. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, said the task force, appointed to address challenges affecting the sector, “is currently looking at putting in place a plan that is expected to improve access to...

Operators in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector could soon benefit from improved access to financing to enhance their business operations. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, said the task force, appointed to address challenges affecting the sector, “is currently looking at putting in place a plan that is expected to improve access to...

Delegates from member countries of the Caribbean Group of Securities Regulators (CGSR), are currently participating in a conference at the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel in Runaway Bay, St. Ann. The sessions are expected to empower the 100 delegates to be more efficient and effective in their role as professional regulators. Countries represented in the Group include the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda,...

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A. J. Nicholson, says the Government has a “structured framework” in place, that encourages collaboration between members of the Diaspora and Jamaicans at home. The Minister said it would be foolhardy for Jamaicans who live at home, including the Government, “to attempt to ignore the skills and the expertise that...

Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Dennis Morrison has called on the Montego Bay business community to invest in the development of the city. He said there are a myriad of investment opportunities that are “just staring us in the face,” citing the revival of businesses along the famous Hip Strip, which have gone out of operation. Stating that...