KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has called on the government to have dialogue with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) about the reduction of flights to Jamaica. Edmund Bartlett, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, in his contribution to the 2013/2014 Budget Debate on Wednesday said he is worried about the implications for the country, as last year, CAL accounted for 50 percent of flights to the Norman Manley International Airport and 10 percent at the Sangster International. Bartlett wants Tourism Minister, Dr.
Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The discussion about increasing and sustaining economic growth in Jamaica must recognise that tourism will be the engine of economic growth in both the short and medium terms.
In the context of the downturn in the world economy, the tourism sector has done well, as is evident in the steady annual increase in the number of visitor arrivals, resulting in much needed foreign exchange, taxes and employment.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - THE GOVERNMENT of Ecuador has expressed its intention to establish an embassy in Kingston, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade A.J. Nicholson has disclosed. Nicholson made the announcement while addressing the Rotary Club of St Andrew meeting at Hotel Four Seasons on Tuesday. Nicholson, while admitting that his Government has welcomed the proposal, said the country could reap significant benefits from such a move.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica, for all practical purposes, has an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It will be merely formalised by the fund's executive board at their meeting on May 1.
So, the fiscal programme being pursued by the Government for the financial year that started on April 1 is predicated on the terms of the US$958 million extended-fund facility. In that regard, the Government will face the first quarterly performance tests under the agreement at the end of June - in less than three months' time.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has blasted the Portia Simpson Miller led administration saying the country is worse off than when it demitted office in 2012.
Responding to the J$521 billion (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) tax free budget presented by Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips last week, former finance minister Audley Shaw said under his stewardship between 2007-2011, the economy was in a much better state.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - DECLARING THAT Jamaica is by no means satisfied with how the free movement of nationals across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region is being facilitated, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade AJ Nicholson has announced that the Government is gearing up to take the matter to the highest level of the CARICOM secretariat for discussions. Nicholson, who was addressing the Rotary Club of St Andrew meeting on Tuesday.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - When you're talking about rum, how much does the Caribbean really matter? For the rum world, it's a more serious question than it sounds, and the answer exposes a schism in the industry, a divide between massive producers who value uniformity in a global market and smaller players and connoisseurs who prefer nuanced production that reflects the time and place a rum is made. A walk down the rum aisle of a liquor store sees this played out.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - A World Bank mission is expected in Jamaica next month to continue work on the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS). The disclosure was made by Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips while speaking to JIS News in Washington, DC, on the outcome of the April 19-22 regular Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in the US capital. The CPS will provide support for the country as it looks to increase economic growth, create jobs and fight poverty.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - AUSTIN 'Jack' Warner, who on Monday felt compelled to quit as Trinidad and Tobago's minister of national security, following scathing findings of a CONCACAF-authorised probe, seems to be the kind of politician one could either easily admire or strongly dislike.
His name is virtually synonymous with management of regional/international football and there are those who consider him to be an enigma in a riddle.
It was a tough start to the week for many air travellers. Flight delays piled up all along the East Coast on Monday as thousands of air traffic controllers were forced to take an unpaid day off because of federal budget cuts.
Some flights into New York, Baltimore and Washington were delayed by more than two hours as the Federal Aviation Administration kept planes on the ground because there weren't enough controllers to monitor busy air corridors.