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Massive pay back
Jamaica earns US$150-m from airlift pact with AA
BY VERNON DAVIDSON Executive Editor -- Publications davidsonv@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, March 01, 2010
THE revenue guarantee airlift agreement that Jamaica signed with American Airlines in 2008 has earned the country just over US$150 million and further opened up the destination to increased visitor traffic at a time when other countries in the Caribbean were recording declines, tourism officials confirmed at the weekend....
Cabinet to discuss Chile earthquake
Posted: Monday | March 1, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner/Power 106
Cabinet is also expected to discuss the Government’s plans to assist Chile following the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Saturday which has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 700 people.
Massive damage is said to be hampering rescue teams as they struggle to reach those still buried in the rubble.
And the Chilean Government has since declared a curfew in two of the worst-hit areas - Maule and Concepcion.
In the meantime the...
Jamaica to review earthquake plan
Published: Sunday | February 28, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner
Prime Minister Bruce Golding will meet with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management on Wednesday to review Jamaica's preparedness for an earthquake disaster.
This comes in the wake of earthquakes that have struck several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Venezuela, Bolivia, the Cayman Islands, Argentina and Guatemala, since Haiti was hit in January, as well as warnings by scientists that Jamaica remains highly vulnerable.
The prime minister wishes...
Kite Boarding World Cup Series
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service
Jamaica is set to host the first leg of the 2010 Kite Boarding World Cup Series at Long Bay Beach, Portland, March 25 to April 3.
The 10-day tournament is expected to attract up to 1,000 visitors to see the over 50 competitors from Brazil, Wales, Norway, Spain, Poland, Australia, France, Denmark, the USA, Mexico, Italy and Jamaica...
Contracts Signed for Harbour View Weigh Scale Station
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service
Just over $100 million is to be spent on constructing a fixed weigh scale station at Harbour View, St. Andrew, Transport and Works Minister, the Hon. Mike Henry, has announced.
The project, to be undertaken by Tankweld Construction Company Limited, forms part of the Ministry's Vehicle Weight Enforcement Programme, launched in December 2009, which is one of...
Tourism Strategy for Haiti
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that a strategy is being developed for the economic recovery of earthquake-hit Haiti, which will use elements of Jamaica's Tourism Master Plan.
This strategy, called the Montego Bay Initiative, will position tourism as a main pillar for the economic development of Haiti.
"The model which is being used, is really a model that draws heavily on the Jamaica Tourism Master Plan and, therefore, it makes it very easy for us to respond and to work well...
House Passes Fiscal Responsibility Bills
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The House of Representatives passed amendments to the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act on Tuesday, as part of the Government's fiscal responsibility framework.
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, who piloted both Bills, stated that this fiscal responsibility framework will operate as the centrepiece of the reforms being undertaken to improve the management of public finances.
"The purpose of the proposed...
$31 Million River Training Project for Yallahs River
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Transport and Works Minister, Hon. Michael Henry, has signed two contracts, valued at $15.62 million each, to undertake river training works at the Yallahs River in St. Thomas.
The contracts, which were signed during a brief ceremony at the Ministry, Maxfield Avenue, Kingston, on Friday (February 26), were awarded to L&K Construction and Sean D Construction Company Limited.
Outlining the scope of works, Mr. Henry said that this would entail packing of boulders in baskets located along the river's...
Roselle Rd., St. Thomas, Gets Shoreline Protection
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Phase II of infrastructural rehabilitation and repairs along the Roselle roadway in St. Thomas, comprising shoreline protection works, is currently underway, says Transport and Works Minister, Hon Michael Henry.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday (February 26), Mr. Henry said that the work, which is being undertaken by one of the National Works Agency's (NWA) Force Account Teams, commenced on February 22, with project site preparatory activities currently being implemented.
Mr. Henry explained...
Kingston Wharves to Manage Caribbean Trans-shipment Hub
KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The new Caribbean Transshipment Hub, which will facilitate the transporting of large motor vehicles throughout the region, was officially launched on Friday (Feb.26) during a ceremony held on board the 'Höegh Caribia' at Kingston Wharves.
This hub, previously sited in San Juan, Puerto Rico has been relocated to Jamaica and terminal operations will now be facilitated and managed by Kingston Wharves Limited.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Wharves, Mr. Grantley Stephenson stated...
Prime Minister Expresses Sympathy Following Earthquake in Chile
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Jamaica Information Service
Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has sent a message to President Michelle Bachelet of Chile on the loss of lives and destruction caused by the severe earthquake that hit central Chile early this morning.
The death toll, not yet known, is reported to have already exceeded 150. The damage to buildings and infrastructure is extensive.
The Prime Minister said he was especially saddened because at the Caricom/Latin America Summit in Cancun Mexico earlier this week, President Bachelet was in the...
... Golding to address Armadale in Parliament
Published: Friday | February 26, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner
Prime Minister Bruce Golding will address the nation at the next sitting of Parliament about the findings of a report from the commission of enquiry into the tragedy at the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre that led to the deaths of seven female wards.
Golding was speaking to a group of journalists after the installation of Steadman Fuller, the custos of Kingston, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston yesterday. He was, however, coy when asked to speak extensively about what...
Bodles produces new disease-resistant tomatoes
Friday, February 26, 2010
Jamaica Observer
Courtesy of Jamaica Observer
MINISTER of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton has issued a call for local and international companies to partner with the country's local research and development agencies to produce better quality local produce and to boost the country's food security.
The minister, while noting that the country has been producing most of the food that it consumes,...
Holness wants campaign to improve Math scores
Luke Douglas Jamaica Observer
Friday, February 26, 2010
DEVELOPING countries whose economies have made rapid improvement in recent years all have at least one thing in common, according to Minister of Education Andrew Holness -- they have focused on the teaching of mathematics in their schools.
With this in mind, the minister has called for greater public debate on how to improve math scores and a public education campaign stressing the importance of this much-feared but critical subject.
"If you notice the countries that have managed to...
Gov't rebuilding youth clubs
Friday, February 26, 2010
Jamaica Observer
Courtesy of Jamaica Observer
PARLIAMENTARY Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Senator Warren Newby, has says he will be working to re-establish the National Youth Club movement.
Newby said that this would enable the engagement of more youths in national development, particularly as it relates to Vision 2030.
"We realise and recognise the value that these community-based youth...
First batch of farm workers off to US
Friday, February 26, 2010
Jamaica Observer
THE Ministry of Labour and Social Security has sent the first batch of farm workers for 2010 off to the United States.
The workers were recruited under the ministry's Overseas Agricultural Employment Programme.
Approximately 145 farm workers left Jamaica between February 23 and 25 for contractual employment in the Syracuse and New England areas of New York. They will work on various farms for up to nine months.
In addressing the workers at the Ministry's Overseas Employment Centre on East...
Senator Nelson Recommends Scouting for at Risk Boys
KINGSTON (JIS):
Friday, February 26, 2010
Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, has stated that young people need and deserve transformational services that enable them to form a different view of themselves and the communities in which they live.
"They must be made to realise that they have the potential to take control of their lives and be responsible for the choices they make," the Minister said.
"I am firmly of the view that, armed with its rich history, the Scouts Movement is best suited to tap...
Standard & Poor's Upgrades Jamaica's Credit Rating
KINGSTON (JIS):
Friday, February 26, 2010
Reacting to the over 99% participation success rate of the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX), Standard & Poor's (S&P) on Wednesday (February 24) upgraded Jamaica's long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit rating to "B-" from "SD".
The "B" rating means the country currently has the capacity to meet its financial obligations, but faces major ongoing uncertainties that could impact its financial commitment on the obligation. The "SD" (selective default)...
