KINGSTON, Jamaica - WE share the concerns articulated by former Jamaican Prime Minister P J Patterson about the restriction of free movement of Caribbean Community (Caricom) nationals among member states.
Mr Patterson’s concerns are particularly relevant given that CARICOM heads of Government have committed to measures to ease travel difficulties at ports.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - RBC Capital Markets, in conjunction with RBC Merchant Bank (Caribbean) Limited, has successfully placed a US$300-million amortising bond issue for the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to bolster regional development and stimulate economic growth.
The 15-year fixed-rate bond bears interest of 4.375 per cent annually until maturity in 2027, and represents a significant investment inflow into the region, RBC said in a statement out of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad yesterday.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Former Jamaica prime minister PJ Patterson has called on Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to decide on their priorities as well as set a specific time table in order to accelerate regional growth and development.
Addressing the Rotary Club of Georgetown, World Understanding Month dinner on Monday night, Patterson also lamented the fact that CARICOM nationals were still experiencing difficulties in travelling through the 15-member grouping despite efforts to ease restrictions on travel.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Former Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland Headley Samuel 'Sam' Lawrence died suddenly yesterday morning, only hours after he made his final trek to the all-important function of his beloved People's National Party (PNP) - a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC).
Lawrence, who was in his 70s, died after he fell ill and was rushed to the Port Antonio Hospital in the parish he has called home for many years.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says it is close to finalising negotiations for the long-awaited Stand By Agreement (SBA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the ruling People's National Party (PNP's) met on Sunday and afterwards PNP chairman, Robert Pickersgill, told reporters that it will not be business as usual as the country prepares to enter into a new agreement .
Pickersgill said that Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips had briefed the NEC on the state of the negotiations.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - All well-thinking Jamaicans should be paying close attention to the gun control debate in the United States. It’s been taking place for decades, experiencing highs and lows periodically. But the gun debate has taken on new wings since the mid-December massacre of 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
The Caribbean Policy Research Institute is executing a renewable energy (RE) Project aimed at supporting renewable energy policy frameworks as well as investments for renewable energy in Region. Much progress has been made, and in July 2013, CAPRI hosted a RE Forum at the UWI Mona Campus which attracted the participation of wide cross section of persons. It was concluded that through the Project and beyond, CAPRI has an important role to play in support of RE development in the region
drought KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The Portia Simpson Miller led administration is taking steps to prevent an increase in the price of agricultural produce as the country braces for a severe drought.
Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, said the dry spell has started to affect farming areas and this could have implications for the availability as well as the cost of ground produce. But he insists that there was no need for alarm.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - THE University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona will be putting the spotlight on regional development at its annual research exposition scheduled for Thursday, February 7 and Friday, February 8 on the Mona Campus. Under the theme, 'Pathways and Opportunities for Regional Development', Research Days 2013 will highlight various ways in which the university is using its diverse research efforts to identify innovative solutions to major developmental challenges.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - CANADA'S High Commissioner, Robert Ready, has denied suggestions that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is withdrawing from Jamaica. Ready said that since his arrival in Kingston last year, he has heard arguments that there is an impression that CIDA is pulling out of Jamaica. "I am here to tell you that is not an accurate impression: CIDA is still very much engaged in and with Jamaica," he told a meeting of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, at Eden Gardens, Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston, last Thursday.