Jamaica - Announcements

The Wray & Nephew Contender Returns For Second Season

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:30:01 UT

The hugely successful Wray & Nephew Contender boxing reality television series is set to return to TVJ with its second season starting Wednesday February 15 at 9:30pm broadcast live from the Chinese Benevolent Association on Old Hope Road in Kingston.

Jamaican boxing had its hay-day in the 70's and 80's with legends such as Richard “Shrimpy” Clarke and Mike McCallum. In 2010, MJK Productions brought The Wray & Nephew Contender to a Jamaican audience and Jamaica's favourite sport back on Prime Time Television.

In 2012, 16 professional boxers will compete for a share of nearly two million dollars with the winner walking away with a whopping one million dollars and the title of Jamaica's Ultimate Welterweight Contender.

Series Executive Producer, Mark Kenny explains the change from last year’s Middleweight boxers (weight limit of 160lbs) to this year’s Welterweight boxers (weight limit of 147lbs): “We decided to explore a new division this year; it gives the competition another dimension and also lets us showcase even more boxers in Jamaica. We are also giving boxers who, in the past year, have come up the ranks and are now ready for The Wray & Nephew Contender.”

The show producers, in conjunction with the Jamaican Boxing Board of Control, searched the 14 parishes to find the best fighters and found 16 of the top welterweight boxers. The 16 fighters are split into 2 teams: Green Team, led by former boxer Carl Grant, representing Urban Jamaica and the Yellow Team, coached by gym owner Andrew Boland representing the Rural parishes.

Contestants

During Stage 1 of the competition, the 2 teams will engage in a series of weekly physical challenges over 7 weeks. Each week, the winning team will then have the advantage as they will nominate a boxer from their camp as well as choose the opposing fighter from the other camp. These 2 boxers will then fight Live on TVJ to determine who stays and who goes.

The Jamaican Boxing Board of Control (JBBC) is once again happy to work with the show to continue to restore this sport back to its former glory. Leroy Brown, JBBC General Secretary commented: “The series has given boxing the proverbial shot in the arm the sport needed. It built a platform, giving boxers who hadn’t fought in a long time a chance to showcase their talents and they did well. We had a tremendous 4 months of boxing which was followed both locally and internationally. The board and the public are looking forward to the next edition. The Wray & Nephew Contender has set a standard of excellence we have to match and we as a board will put our all to ensure it will be as good or even better this year.”

Speaking on the impact the series has made to the sport, Brown continued: “Since the first season, we have had more amateur boxers showing an interest in the sport and so the JBBC is focusing on getting them ready for competition. We have also seen a few small promoters come to showcase some of the boxers from the first season. The sport is definitely growing, but will take time to get back to the glory of its hey-day.”

Featuring motivator and Olympic silver medalist, Juliet Cuthbert and the sexy Wray & Nephew Ring Girls, The Wray & Nephew Contender continues to herald in a new age of boxing in Jamaica with 15 weeks of television.

Ziggy Marley & Inner Circle World Tour To Stop In Hawaii

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:45:00 UT

Thompson's Productions, HPELive and Tantriq Entertainment present Ziggy Marley and Inner Circle, performing live for two shows in Hawaii.

Five-time Grammy Award winner Ziggy Marley, currently on his "Wild and Free" world tour, and chart-topping reggae veterans Inner Circle will perform on Friday, March 23 in Kona, Big Island and Saturday, March 24 in Honolulu, Oahu.

Kona, Big Island
Friday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Courtyard at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Tickets: General Admission $45, VIP $55

Honolulu, Oahu
Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m
Aloha Stadium South End Zone
Tickets: General Admission $45- $65, VIP $85

Five-time Grammy winner and reggae icon Ziggy Marley has released twelve albums to much critical acclaim. The eldest son of international music legend Bob Marley, he first achieved worldwide success with his first solo album, 'Dragonfly,' followed up by his 2006 Grammy-winning album 'Love is My Religion' and his third solo album, 'Family Time,' which scored him a fifth Grammy Award for Best Children's Album.

Joining Marley will be legendary Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle, formed in 1968 and currently consisting of Ian Lewis (bass guitar, vocals), Jr. Jazz (vocals, guitar), Bernard "Touter" Harvey (keyboards, vocals), Lancelot Hall (drums, percussion) and Roger Lewis (guitar, vocals). During the 1970s, Inner Circle became one of the most popular reggae bands in Jamaica, and one of few that performed live. Among their many hits is the 1987 song "Bad Boys", the theme song for Fox Network's long-running television program "COPS."

For each ticket sold on Ziggy Marley's U.S. tour, $1 benefits U.R.G.E., a nonprofit founded by the singer that is dedicated to making enduring contributions to the lives of children in Jamaica, Africa, and throughout the world.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 9. Tickets available online at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets, including all area Wal-Marts, Aloha Stadium, Blaisdell Box Office or Sports Gear at Windward Mall.

Soca Star Farmer Nappy Releases New Album

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:50:00 UT

Trinidadian singer/songwriter Darryl "Farmer Nappy" Henry brings his unique brand of soca to the masses with his new album, You Make Me...Surrender, available in stores and online on February 21, 2012. Combining the names of his two singles from the album, "Surrender" and "You Make Me," both major hits during this Carnival season in Trinidad, rendered Farmer the perfect title for his second studio effort.

"I'm now celebrating my 30th anniversary in the music business and this year, Carnival will be extra special as my album will be available worldwide on the official Carnival day, February 21," states Farmer Nappy. "I've traveled, performed, encountered and experienced and I've captured everything in this album. My journey starts with soca but it doesn't end there, and neither does this album."

From Farmer's signature groovy R&B melodies to his up-tempo carnival-esque anthems, the 13-track album boasts an array of sounds that fully depict the potpourri that is Caribbean music. Blending calypso, kaiso, ragga, soca, reggae and dancehall tones, Farmer manages to capture the true essence of the Caribbean, taking this compilation beyond carnival circles.

With fusion as his fuel, Farmer Nappy teams up with other Caribbean stars to bring a sample of the different flavors of the islands. Reggae icon Anthony B features on not one but two tracks, the megahit "Chippin Remix" and "Can't Talk To me," lending his reggae rap to Farmer's groovy flow. Soca's elite Machel Montano co-wrote "Go Brave" and joins Farmer for "I Pay For This." Legendary Trinidad dancehall artist General Grant shines on "Looking To Wine," a trademark tune for calypso lovers. Producers include Barbadian production giant, De Red Boyz (who also scored Farmer his first international hit with "Chippin'"), Grenada's Shawn "Mr. Roots" Mitchell, Barbados' Dwain "Dwaingerous" Antrobus, and Trinidad's Kerwin Du Bois and Precision Productions, further adding to the diversity of the album.

Farmer Nappy built a global fan base as part of fellow international soca act, Machel Montano's 'HD Band,' touring extensively for over two decades and bringing the sounds of mas to the masses worldwide. He can currently be seen performing more than 30 shows during Carnival season in Trinidad, which culminates on day of this album's release. With his two hits in hand and a new album en route, Farmer Nappy is undoubtedly having his best year yet as he continues his quest of carrying Caribbean music around the world, 30 years and counting.

You Make Me...Surrender is distributed by FOX FUSE, with physical albums in select stores throughout the U.S. and Trinidad, and will be available digitally worldwide on all major digital retailers, including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and Spotify. It is now available for pre-order on iTunes and all digital outlets.

'Braggin' Diva Flirtagious Party Sneak Peak

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:25:00 UT

After an unusually quiet end of year, one of Dancehalls' newest diva 'Flirtagious' put her own spin on a birthday party tradition, inviting her all her 'BB' friends to join her in her uptown apartment home. It was an informal gathering of family, friends, fans and well wishers who turn out in numbers to celebrate with the 'super-rated' diva who decided that she was gonna make is nice and simple. "Even a basic party can have a fun twist" she said, "I just wanted everyone to have fun and I guess they did." Not many photos were released but from the little we have seen it was all about the 'Braggin' doll afterall, isn't that what her party is all about?

Since her emergence on the Jamaican Dancehall scene, Flirtagious has kept her swag upbeat and trendy living to her self titled 'super-rated diva' persona. She released two singles entitled, Crying In The Rain and 'Braggin' with supporting videos and at least one video for single, 'Braggin' now holds the #2 position on popular local cable channel, Hype TV video charts and has found its way on the playlists of several djs in the streets. What this means for Flirtagious is that her street credibility is growing and certainly very good sign for the emerging Dancehall trendsetter who said she has held on to the popular proverb,"the race is not for the swift, neither for the strong but who can endure to the end."

Nando Revs Up To Ride All Night

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:15:00 UT

Fresh off scoring his first number one song in Jamaica, Get Better, reggae/urban pop artiste Nando Griffiths (“Nando”) is gearing up for the impending launch of his debut album Yaad and Abroad. The son of legendary Jamaican champion jockey Winston “Fanna” Griffiths is looking to kick-start his riddim riding career by shooting the video for the promotional single Ride all Night on Wednesday February 8, 2012, at Magnet Sports & Entertainment Lounge (“Magnet”) in Elmont, NY.

Ride all Night is an up-tempo soca/dancehall track with suggestive lyrics and crossover appeal in the mould of Kevin Little’s Turn Me On and Rupee’s Tempted to Touch. The video will be directed by Ralph “Uncle Ralph” McDaniels of Video Music Box fame. Tanisha Scott (Sean Paul, Jay Z, etc) will be choreographing some fresh dance moves while perennial New York favorites Road International will keep the music flowing.

With this star-studded cast, the video for Ride all Night is expected to propel the talented lovers rock and urban pop singer to the forefront of the line of emerging reggae/dancehall singers. Fans, including those with a fondness for the video light, looking to be a part of this special event are invited to come over to Magnet at 5pm on Wednesday for a chance to be featured in the video. Dress code is sexy and sophisticated. Fun, food, and refreshments will be provided. Magnet is located at 241-05 Linden Blvd Elmont, NY, 11003. We look forward to seeing you there in your riding gear.

Reggae Artist Leighton Creating A Buzz With Hellfire-Hot Song "Life"

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:50:00 UT

New York-based reggae artist Leighton is turning heads and creating a stir with the release of his latest single, Life, a 2012 remake of an old pop favorite from the 1980s.

Life is an adaptation of a haunting and hypnotic love song that was a number one smash single on both sides of the Atlantic. It was written by the Bee Gees for Barbara Streisand's Grammy winning album "Guilty". Leighton brought the song back to life with his lush, velvety vocals skillfully guided by the direction of producer Nikimo Palache and ably assisted by veteran reggae recorder Ed Robinson.

Leighton hails from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica where he attended Munro College before migrating to the United States. But his vocal gifts were making jaws drop in Jamaican churches from he was seven years old. In New York, he was a member of his Long island high school choir doing Broadway tunes before joining an R & B band, and this early experience has greatly helped him to take on the fast-paced and demanding world of reggae.

Here is an interesting youtube clip of life below, and Leighton's next New York City appearance is on Saturday March 10 at the Linkage Radio Reggae Awards in Mount Vernon.

Ziggy Marley to Host New Show on SiriusXM

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:15:00 UT

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that five-time Grammy®-winning musician, actor, artist, activist and humanitarian Ziggy Marley will host a new monthly show, Ziggy Marley's Legends of Reggae.

The monthly show will launch on Sunday, February 5, the eve of the birthday of his late father, Bob Marley, at 12:00 pm ET on The Joint, channel 42. This first episode features Ziggy speaking in depth with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff.

Ziggy Marley's Legends of Reggae will feature Marley sharing his unique perspective on music and culture and introducing listeners to his favorite reggae music and sources of inspiration (with some rarities), plucked from his own personal collection. The show will also include music from the Marley family, including material from Ziggy's most recent solo studio album, Wild and Free, and throwback selections dating back to his days as a Melody Maker. In addition to Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley's Legends of Reggae will feature other special guests on the monthly show.

"It is my privilege to use this medium to honor the Legends of Reggae and to use it as a vehicle to educate and enlighten listeners," said Ziggy Marley.

"Through his show, Ziggy will be able to share with our subscribers reggae music from the beginning to now with insight unique to him and his family," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "Hearing songs from his personal collections and his conversations with the greats of reggae is something music fans will treasure, and we are honored to launch the show on the eve of the birthday of his father, the late Bob Marley."

Ziggy Marley's Legends of Reggae will air the first Saturday of each month at 12:00 pm ET, and will be rebroadcast the next day, Sunday, at 2:00 pm ET.

Ziggy Marley was born in 1968 in Trenchtown, Jamaica. Ziggy began his musical career playing with his father, reggae legend Bob Marley, and his siblings Sharon, Cedella and Stephen in 1979. The siblings became known as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, and released over 11 albums, three of which were Grammy winners. Ziggy has released several solo albums since 2003, including: Dragonfly; his Grammy Award-winning Love Is My Religion; Family Time, which won him his fifth career Grammy, but his first in the children's arena; and the Grammy-nominated Wild and Free. Always politically aware, Ziggy has also been involved with the United Nations, and has formed his own charity U.R.G.E as well as contributed in various ways to other charities such as Little Kids Rock, Amnesty International. In 2010, Ziggy and his brothers Rohan and Robbie traveled to South Africa to film the documentary Marley Africa Road Trip. In 2011, the 30-year career of Ziggy Marley continued stronger than ever with the "MarijuanaMan" comic book. Ziggy continues to tour and perform at festivals internationally as well as at his own Legends of Reggae festival in California.

The Joint plays reggae music from its roots to today from artists like Bob Marley & the Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Vybz Kartel, Capleton, Dennis Brown, Sizzla, Beres Hammond and Jah Cure. The joint also features Marley Monday, the weekly tribute special to Bob Marley.

USVI Commissioner Lauds President Obama's Tourism Push

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:50:00 UT

United States President Barack Obama's Executive Order announcing a suite of initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism in the United States, was lauded by the tourism chief of the United States Virgin Islands as, "not only a major step forward for the world's biggest travel and tourism economy, but it is also an opportunity for our territory to look at how we might harvest the new opportunities arising from the president's bold initiative."

Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty added, however, it was important for island territories of the United States to ensure those implementing the President's initiative in Washington DC fully understood the critical importance of tourism to small island economies like the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"Long-haul travelers spend on average US$4,000 on each visit. So, we applaud the president taking much-needed steps to expand the visa waiver program; reduce the time taken to wait for an interview and increase the capacity to process visas in China and Brazil by 40 percent during this year," she commented.

"Our economy needs the economic boost from more tourists. We will look at how we in the USVI can harness the increased visitors from Brazil, China and other beneficiary countries," Commissioner Nicholson-Doty added, explaining she expected the influx in tourists to the United States to benefit the Caribbean as a whole, "especially from long haul destinations."

The commissioner congratulated her neighbor islands colleague Mario González-Lafuente, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), on his appointment to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which provides stakeholder feedback on the challenges being faced by the US travel and tourism industry, as well as ideas on how the federal government can strengthen this important sector.

"We look forward to working with Mr. González-Lafuente and the PRTC in their representation of all US territories and the Caribbean region," said Commissioner Nicholson-Doty.

The tourism commissioner reported the USVI long-term tourism development strategy under development for the territory will look at ways of harmonizing its activities with the national strategy announced by President Obama.

Noting travel and tourism is a $1.2 trillion sector of the US economy or nearly three percent of Gross Domestic Product, the commissioner reminded, "We in the U.S. Virgin Islands are more dependent on the sector with travel and tourism accounting for roughly 30 percent of our GDP ...so we will continue pursuing new avenues to strengthen and market our tourism product, and find more ways of getting our messages across to policy and decision makers in Washington."

Phillips Assures Diplomats Of Commitment To Economic Reform

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:50:00 UT

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, has assured members of the diplomatic corps of the Government’s commitment to economic reform, fiscal prudence, and the facilitation of business in order to stimulate economic growth, reduce debt, and satisfy the aspirations of Jamaicans.

In his first presentation to the diplomats this yesterday (Feb. 1) at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston, the Minister said that Jamaica must pursue growth as a matter of urgency, given the challenges of unemployment, decline in gross domestic product (GDP), and the debt burden.

The challenges, he said, dictate that the country moves swiftly to re-engage the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He noted that “a new IMF agreement is vital if we are to access multilateral support and (engender) confidence among stakeholders, both nationally and internationally."

He told the diplomats that the country has already held preliminary talks with the Fund, and Cabinet would be briefed on those discussions during a two-day retreat starting tomorrow (Feb. 2). He said that by month-end, detailed negotiations with the IMF are expected to begin.

In addition, the Green Paper on Tax Reform had been re-tabled in the House and the achievement of the new system of taxation is being fast-racked with the appointment of a new Joint- select Committee of Parliament and the commencement of sittings next week.

The new tax policy is expected to be reflected in the 2012/13 Budget. Among the other priorities of the new administration going forward include: pensions reforms to reduce the cost of pensions on the public purse; public sector wage restraint and cost-containment; renewed momentum to the divestment of state enterprises; diversification of the country’s energy sources; the facilitation of businesses; investment promotion and renewed emphasis on production and productivity.

The Finance Minister called on the diplomats, whom he described as “friends and partners over the past 50 years,” to resolve to face the lingering and even deepening economic challenges facing the global economy collectively.

Referencing a recent speech by Managing Director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, Dr. Phillips observed that despite the global challenges, 2012 “should be a year of healing” and for that to happen, “comprehensive solutions need to be put in place in a cooperative fashion.”

Jamaica To Target High-Net Worth Investors

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:10:00 UT

The Jamaica Investment Forum, being spearheaded by JAMPRO, is expected to assist in targeting high-net worth investors and advance the country’s investment prospects in key economic areas.

The event, set for March 1 and 2 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, will focus on business opportunities in the priority areas of manufacturing, tourism, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and in major privatisation and development projects.

Investors will also benefit from insightful information on the Government’s investment policies and incentives, as well as and networking opportunities.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon. Sandrea Falconer, speaking at Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Feb. 1, said Cabinet received an update on the budget and scheduled programme of activities, and the selected public and private sector projects to be promoted at the forum.

“Cabinet was sensitised to the need for fiscal prudence…the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce was encouraged to ensure that funding for the forum is secured to the Ministry’s existing budgetary allocations in light of the fiscal constraints,” she said.

While the event will target investment in key growth sectors, Minister Falconer informed that opportunities will be explored in areas of energy, culture, health, agriculture, education and sports. The Government will be seeking investment in the country’s mineral baths, botanical gardens, the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, and the development of a cultural performing arts centre.

Ms. Falconer informed that a Ministerial committee, headed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has been set up to identify the other projects that the government would be interested in showcasing at the forum.

The committee comprises: the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing; Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Public Service; Ministry of Science, Technology Energy and Mining; Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment; Ministry of Youth and Culture; Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change; and Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

“Cabinet noted that the forum was the first opportunity for the government to present its perspective for investment and its relations with the private sector. Therefore, the forum should be used to promote the wider vision of the government and its intentions to facilitate economic growth within the current fiscal context,” Minister Falconer outlined.

lazing West Indies Cricketing All-Rounder Dwayne Bravo - Releases Second Hit Collaboration With Grammy-Award Winning International Superstar Beenie Man

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:55:00 UT

As if winning the Caribbean T20 tournament as part of the championship Trinidad and Tobago "Red Force" cricket team and being member of a star-studded Sydney Sixers squad that went onto win this year's glittering Australian Big Bash title, much to the delight of his millions of fans and followers worldwide wasn't enough, the energetic, high-profile West Indian international cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, hasn't simply been sitting back relaxing during a rare few days off in his hectic schedule.

Instead, accompanied by his agent and close friend, Grammy-award winning international superstar Beenie Man, the charismatic Bravo has been back in the studio, busy recording a hit new single which was released late Monday evening via Trinidad's leading stations, Slam 100.5FM and Synergy TV, causing a media and fan frenzy over the catchy new track.

But Bravo, nicknamed the "Caribbean Powerhouse," hasn't stopped there. The exciting new Dwayne Bravo Surprise-A-Super-Fan initiative is also becoming an enormous hit with his supporters around the world after Bravo and his team decided to show his deep appreciation for his global fan base by surprising unsuspecting "Dwayne Bravo Super Fans," nominated for a Bravo Surprise Visit by their friends and family. The sporting celebrity stated that he wants to use the "Surprise-A-Super-Fan" initiative to "inspire" people to reach for the same goals he has worked towards all his life, and to give something back to his fans for their years of unwavering support.

His management team have also put into place a carefully constructed social media campaign ahead of his much-anticipated official website launch, with the Brand Bravo campaign set to include exciting competition giveaways from sponsors, signed memorabilia from Bravo himself and ongoing updates on the sporting megastar's cricketing successes and his forthcoming commercial projects, including an exclusive new clothing line set to launch in 2012.

Despite a hectic schedule and a multitude of ventures being developed under the shining star of Brand Bravo, the gifted 28 year-old cricketing all-rounder remains humble, down-to-earth and certain about one thing: cricket remains his greatest priority and biggest love; his determination to get back into the West Indies uniform being his most crucial focus.

The hit new single by Dwayne Bravo and Beenie Man, "Bad Man Soca," is out now! Listen to the tune for your chance to win exclusive, autographed memorabilia via Dwayne Bravo's official Twitter and Facebook pages.

"Oh, Jamaica" For Jamaica50 W/ AJ Brown, Inner Circle, And Third World

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:00 UT

"We love the country of Jamaica, that is our home and keeping alive the spirit of reggae music is what we do" - Roger Lewis of Inner Circle. With that thought, Inner Circle is calling for a celebration of Jamaica's 50 years of independence.

Inner Circle is helping usher in Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Jamaica's Independence with a new collaboration album entitled The DUBets. The first single off of The DUBets, "Oh, Jamaica" is a heart felt ode to the Caribbean nation and features one of the islands best kept secrets, AJ Brown. The DUBets is a collaboration album that features some of reggae's most influential artists including Jacob Miller, Ali Campbell of UB40, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Kymani Marley, Prince Midus, and veteran reggae crooner Glen Washington.

Since 2009's State of da World album, Inner Circle has been working at a whirlwind pace touring across the world as well as recording a compilation album entitled, The Reggae Wave, with South Florida's brightest reggae talent. Uniting the world through music, The Reggae Wave project includes Jahfe, The Resolvers, Spred The Dub, Stampede Movement, Mixed Culture, Skafyah and Fourth Dimension. The Reggae Wave will be opening for Inner Circle and Third World at the Reggae Jam Concert on February 24th at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, FL.

Laza Morgan/Movado's 'One By One' Voted #1 Song For 2011

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 UT

After dominating reggae charts in Jamaica for much of 2011, Laza Morgan and Mavdo ended 2011 in fine style topping the Miami Top Ten Chart with the single 'One By One.' The song which continues to get multiple downloads on digital sites edged 'Live You Life' by Richie Stephens & Gentleman for the top position on the chart for 2011.

Morgan told 1170AM radio hosts Captain Kirk and Bigga Boss in Florida, "thanks for the love and support and to the fans, much respect and I look forward to your continued support in 2012."

The 'One By One' video was recently added to MTV Iggy web site and is racking up impressive hits on YouTube. Two knock off videos of the song and the official Electra video have a combine 1 millions plus hits and counting. Laza's other single 'This Girl' from his soon to be released album has generated over seven million hits on YouTube so far.

Reggae Artist Ras Emmanuel Completes Successful Australia Tour

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:20:00 UT

New Jersey based reggae artist Ras Emmanuel is back stateside after a recent tour that saw him performing on the popular five city Falls Tour in Australia in January. Ras Emmanuel - a two time winner of the New Jersey Reggae Awards 'DJ of the Year' - riveted thousands of new fans across Australia and Tasmania with his signature high energy performances with the Easy Star All Stars Band from New York.

“It was a huge honor to have represented Jamaica and reggae music in Australia,” Ras Emmanuel stated “It was my first time performing on that side of the world and I was blown away by the enthusiasm and the love that Australians have for our music and our culture.”

His most recent single 'Root Out Corruption' with reggae singer Luciano continues to garner strong radio support across the Diaspora. The singer who hails from Central Village in St. Catherine is looking forward to touching down in Jamaica soon to spend some time here with family, friends and music colleagues celebrating Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence.

Sally Porteous Installed As Custos For Manchester

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:00 UT

Sally-Kay Porteous was installed as the new Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Manchester yesterday Feb. 1.

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, presided over the ceremony, which was held at King’s House in Kingston.

In his remarks, Sir Patrick urged Ms. Porteous to use her office to safeguard the procedures and processes by which Justices of the Peace (JPs) carry out their roles, while influencing development within the parish.

He noted that the role of JPs has expanded and evolved over the years, noting that they are vital to increasing efficiency and effectiveness in the justice system.

“With this increased and elevated importance of the roles of Justices of the Peace, the office of the Custos becomes even more critical to the process of efficient and effective justice in a country, where there is frequent call for justice,” he stated.

The Governor-General noted that Ms. Porteous is the first Custos to be installed in the 50th year of the island’s Independence and called on the residents of Manchester to support her vision and efforts to create a better parish.

Paying tribute to the outgoing Custos and Acting Custos, the Governor-General commended them for the valuable service and leadership they have rendered during their tenure.

In her response, Ms. Porteous said she will strive to ensure that all the citizens of the parish are respected and treated equally, adding that she is “thrilled” to serve in the new capacity.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with the Justices and citizens of the parish to try to make the kind of contribution that will ensure peace and security for the people of Manchester,” she said, adding that she will strive to emulate the sterling work, which was done by the outgoing Custos.

Ms. Porteous noted that her experience in numerous roles over the years has prepared her to serve the parish well.

“With each position that I was involved, came a new learning experience and that learning experience taught me lessons that have helped me and readied me for the next position to come.

“I know, for instance that what I have learned while being in politics will help me in this position as Custos. There are no better lessons in behavioural patterns, community conflicts, etcetera, that you will learn than in political life. In politics, you not only see it all but you learn to deal with it and to resolve conflicts that can explode in a heartbeat,” she stated.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Robert Rainford, said that Custodes are expected to play an important and central role in the development of their parish.

He said the Ministry also recognises the role they play in the transformation of the justice system, and as such, seeks to ensure that “in our construction programme of our courthouses we have identified and earmarked offices in the main courthouses in the parish capitals to accommodate the custos in the discharge of his or her official duties”.

The swearing in ceremony, which was originally scheduled for January 26, was postponed to facilitate further consultation.

Ms. Porteous was appointed Custos of Manchester on November 15, succeeding Dr. Gilbert Allen, who retired on June 30, 2011.

As Custos, she will be the representative of the Governor-General in Manchester. Among her responsibilities are serving as chief Lay Magistrate for the parish, and ensuring that there are sufficient JPs/Lay Magistrates to serve the petty session courts and communities throughout Manchester.

Jamaica Ready To Work With Partners - Foreign Minister

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:55:00 UT

Jamaica is ready to work with all its partners in the international community, in order to assist in the effective reform of governance structures that reflect global realities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A.J. Nicholson, gave this commitment at a meeting with 63 members of the Diplomatic Corps, at Jamaica House, yesterday January 31, as part of activities to observe Diplomatic Week (January 29 to February 3) .

“Our strong belief in the need for a more inclusive global economic environment will continue to inspire our advocacy for greater opportunities for all of us to share in global prosperity,” he argued.

It is in this regard, the Minister said, that Jamaica will continue to advocate that CARICOM’s voice be heard directly in the context of the Group of 20 (G20). “We look to Mexico, our Caribbean neighbour, which is hosting the upcoming G20 Summit in June 2012, to facilitate this aspiration,” the Minister said.

Senator Nicholson emphasised that multilateralism remains a potent force in international relations and the most viable avenue for small states to have a voice in the global arena. “It provides the most effective means for the maintenance of international peace, security and development. It is this belief that has guided our multilateral engagement for the past 50 years and will continue to do so in the years to come,” he emphasised.

“We know that no state, irrespective of its economic or military might, can effectively and single-handedly confront the many challenges that face our world. The unfolding global economic crisis, the increasing number of natural disasters associated with climate change and political instability arising from protracted conflicts and civil uprisings, will not be adequately dealt with without the collective resolve of the international community,” the Minister told the diplomats.

During the Week, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, and Cabinet Ministers will address the resident and non-resident Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Charge d’Affaires.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry is staging its 14th Diplomatic Week, which includes the customary presentation of diplomatic credentials to the Governor-General or the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, by High Commissioners and Ambassadors who have been newly appointed by their Governments.

Second Community To Benefit From World Bank-Funded Landslide Mitigation Project

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:55:00 UT

A second community, Melbrook Heights in St. Andrew, has been identified by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to benefit from low-cost landslide mitigation strategies and training under the World Bank-funded Community-Based Landslide Risk Reduction Project (CBLRRP).

Melbrook Heights has demonstrated the key characteristics of a community for intervention, having met the criteria of a compact settlement, which is at risk from natural hazards such as flooding and land slippages.

Four communities are to be selected under the programme where the Management of Slope Stabilisation in Communities (MoSSaiC) methodology, developed by a team of researchers from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, Professor Malcolm Anderson and Dr. Elizabeth Holcombe,is to be implemented.

At the recent launch of the pilot in Harbour Heights at the Harbour View Open Bible Church, Project Manager for the CBLRRMP at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management (ODPEM) Kirk Frankson, disclosed that the project, slated to be driven by the community, was expected to run for six months and would involve the implementation of several micro mitigation measures.

“This is a project that will benefit critical facilities in Harbour View and its environs and utilises community-based contracting. When we say it is a community project, it means the community will not only need to own the project, but will need to help drive the activities,” he said.

A sum of $50 million has been budgeted for the Harbour Heights project, which is part of a US$2.375million grant from the World Bank to ODPEM to carry out the CBLRRP strategy.

The project will see the erecting of a network of strategically placed drains, channels and rainwater harvesting systems that will act as natural hazard intervention techniques.

One key element of the project, Mr. Frankson, is the utilisation of local labour, through an internal community contractual strategy, which will be overseen by a committee of residents to maintain transparency and balance, while ensuring quality.

World Bank Representative, Maricarmen Esquivel, said the project, the first of its kind for the English-speaking Caribbean, will add value to Harbour Heights.

“It is very exciting to see all the excellent work and the community spirit so I am taking that (back) with me. It’s been an honour to be among you. So congratulations and I really am looking forward to the success of the project,” she said.

President of the Harbour Heights Citizens Association, Andrew Foster, expressed gratitude to the World Bank and ODPEM, noting that the project will address flooding and landslides in the community.

“Many mornings, we want to go to work, but can’t, because the water is up to our knees, so we feel very proud to have this project in our community. Now the people can live a better life,” he stated.

Guerrilla Music Production Roll Out Its First Female Vocalist Latoya Chambers

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:15:01 UT

Guerrilla Music Productions C.E.O. Anthony Hibbert was born and raised in a community called Stanpipe in the parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica. He migrated to Toronto, Canada at age fourteen and got his first music lessons from the late Jackie Mittoo, keyboardist, songwriter and musical director who was instrumental in creating hits such as Frankie Paul's Pass The Tu Sheng Peng, Freddie McGregor's Bobby Babylon, Alton Ellis I'm Still In Love With You, the Cables Baby Why and Marcia Griffiths first hit, Feel Like Jumping. He also credits former Lead Singer of Reggae group The Heptones, Leroy Sibbles and Jojo Bennett. Anthony 'Gideon Base' Hibbert learnt audio engineering at Trebas Institute in Toronto from Errol Thompson (E.T. one of the first studio engineers to be involved in dub music) and Joe Gibbs, Jamaican Reggae Producer and one of the first to record, Lee Scratch Perry after ending his association with the great, Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd. As a musician, Hibbert played in backing bands for a large number of prominent reggae artistes. He formed Guerrilla Music Production, in an effort to channel the militant energy of his young musician brethren from trying to kill each other to expressing in music format, their reasons for wanting to engage in such lifestyle, "Our label makes music for people of any ethnic group, in any form of struggle, anywhere on this earth, be it personal, political, economic or armed" said Hibbert.

Now the company is ready to break ground in artiste management and has unveiled it's first female artiste, Latoya Chambers. But who is Latoya Chambers and how did C.E.O. Anthony Hibbert connect with her? We asked and Latoya opened up....

1.Who is your favourite celebrity?
"Beyonce"

2.What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
"The scariest thing I've ever done is escape being murdered"

3. What is your most embarrassing moment?
"My most embarrassing moment is making the Digicel Rising Stars 2009 talent competition as Siren and spoiled Beyonce's song, 'flaws and all'"

4. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
"Well....some people say that I am greedy....but I don't know what they are talking about lol!"

5. Who is your stylish Jamaican artiste?
"Spice"

6. What is your favourite past time?
"Riding the roller coaster and other rides, playing games at theme parks when I lived in America"

7. What is your favourite Jamaican ole time classic?
"Should I by Dennis Brown"

Latoya Chambers entered Jamaica's most watched talent show Digicel Rising Star, twice in 2009 and 2010 respectively and walked away in sixth place in the 2010 staging of the competition. The reviews from the competition were quite encouraging and exposure, has made her an household name in Jamaica. The Jamaican Star newspaper highlighted Latoya's performance during the peak of the competition stating, Latoya Chambers was well-received when she sang How Can I Ease The Pain. She impressed the audience with her clarity, smoothness and range. Miller (Judge #1) said it was an, "accomplished performance" while McKenzie (Judge #2) liked her "confident vocal styling."

Latoya Crystol Chambers attended the Mona High School in Kingston then on to the Ashe Academy Alumna where she harnessed a professional singing career at age sixteen. Few years later, she met Producer, Anthony Hibbert at Joe Gibbs Studio in Kingston and recorded a song for him however, her first release entitled, More Than Confused on the Hard Times rhythm hit the airwaves in 2004. The song produced by Steven 'Gibbo' Gibson for Gibbo Records made the VP Records, rhythm driven compilation album that same year.

Latoya went on to record several tracks including unique collaborations for her curriculum vitae with world reknown legend of Reggae music, Lee Scratch Perry and Dancehall crowned King, Beenie Man and has graced the stage of one of Jamaica most highly anticipated events, STING, held annually at Christmas time.

Now signed with Guerrilla Music Production, Latoya anticipates the release of her first EP which will feature a remix of her first single, More Than Confused produced by Anthony Hibbert, The Rise of The Fallen produced by Shane 'Blinga Hype' Walker and Be Mine Only.

Use 'Jamaica 50' To Strive Towards Greater Achievement - GG

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:55:00 UT

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has called on the nation to use the 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations as an impetus towards greater achievement, even as the nation reflects on the accomplishments since 1962.

“We now have a unique opportunity to look back… and reflect on the range of traditions, values, behaviour that contribute to our national identity and social and economic development. We must allow this momentum to propel us towards further growth and development, especially as we begin another cycle of nation building,” he stated.

The Governor General was speaking at the ‘Jamaica 50’ ecumenical service held on Sunday (Jan. 29) at the Webster Memorial United Church, 53 Half-Way-Tree Road in Kingston, under the theme: ‘Feel the Heart and Soul of a Nation’.

Reflecting on the theme, Sir Patrick said that at the heart and soul of the nation must be values to enable the development of a just society in which Jamaicans can realise their full potential.

“These values should always include respect for each other, honesty, hard work, forgiveness, sharing, caring and patience for each other and with each other. On these values, we think we will continue to build a great country,” he stated.

The Governor-General noted that even though Jamaica is a small nation, it is a “tallawah nation” and urged citizens to start believing in themselves and the fact that they can achieve their goals.

“We set big goals, we have great expectations and we think much of ourselves, and we believe in ourselves, others believe in us. It is time that we as Jamaicans start believing in ourselves and what we are able to accomplish,” he added, while commending the organisers of the church service for planning a “rich, warm and exciting” worship experience.

Archbishop of York, Rev. Dr. John Sentamu, who was the guest preacher, called on Jamaicans to live in unity, love their fellowman and promote true spiritual accord in spite of the differences and views on some doctrinal matters.

“Beloved Jamaicans, let your life be filled with truth, be filled with love, be filled with justice. This will give you peace and prosperity for all Jamaicans, and you will be judged as a nation by how well you treat the weak, the vulnerable, the unemployed, the young and the older people,” he said.

In her brief remarks, Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna said that it is important to highlight the achievements of Jamaicans and the historic struggles of the ancestors, noting that “our people now stand as free, independent citizens of the world”.

The Minister stated that Jamaica has given the world one of the most powerful brand, and it is fitting to thank God for what the country has achieved.

She urged all Jamaicans to be proud and commit to serving the country for the next 50 years and beyond.

Minister Hanna also commended the organising committee, and performers, including children for the successful staging of the event.

The service was organised by the Committee for the Promotion of National Religious Services in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

During the service, scriptures were read by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition Spokesperson on Information, Public Service and Labour, Senator Arthur Williams, who represented the Opposition Leader Andrew Holness.

'Sweet Jamaica' - 50 Years Of Jamaican Music Vegas Style

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:55:00 UT

International Music Star Celebrates Reggae History Monthwith Double Album

Jamaican-born International music star Mr. Vegas fetes his homeland's golden anniversary with a brand new double album that explores the past 50 years in Jamaican music. Sweet Jamaica will be released in February, Jamaica's national Reggae Month and feature a range of music from the roots of Ska in the early 1960's through the birth of Reggae and into today's contemporary Dancehall-driven pop music culture. Sweet Jamaica will be released to digital and retail stores under his independently-owned MV Music imprint on Tuesday, February 21st.

The two discs, Sweet Jamaica Reggae and Sweet Jamaica Dancehall together feature over 30 tracks, including exclusive new material and some of Mr. Vegas' recent smash singles. Sweet Jamaica Reggae is a fusion of Ska, Rocksteady, and foundation Reggae rhythms. Known for melodious style of deejaying or rapping Mr. Vegas' abandons his usual 'sing-jay' mode and shows off his singing talent on remakes of Toots and the Maytals' classic 'Sweet and Dandy,' and Alton Ellis' Rocksteady cover of Brenda Holloway's "You Make Me Happy."

Sweet Jamaica Dancehall features Mr. Vegas' typically energetic Dancehall delivery on recent Dancehall hits including the current dance-driven club banger "Bruk It Down," the street anthem "Certain Law," and "Beautiful Life." Sweet Jamaica Dancehall also includes a live version of his internationally acclaimed gospel-flavored single "I Am Blessed."

" 'Sweet Jamaica' is the best of Jamaican music - from the foundation until now. Jamaica celebrates 50 years of Independence this year, and I want to celebrate that by showcasing 50 years of Reggae," says Clifford "Mr. Vegas" Smith. "I am releasing this album in February, which is the month we celebrate Reggae in Jamaica and Black History in America. Reggae is such an important part of what makes Jamaica unique, it is our signature sound and Reggae is key part of our culture and our Jamaican brand. Reggae figures like Bob Marley and Dennis Brown - who were both born in February - are important figures in music history in the United States and throughout the world."

Sweet Jamaica's lead single, aptly titled "Sweet Jamaica," hit #1 on Reggae charts in Europe and the United States last year, while the video peaked at #1 on the MTV BASE Dancehall Video chart. The album's second release "Certain Law" also spent several weeks at #1 on the MTV BASE charts. Teairra Mari, Shaggy, Luciano, Nadine Sutherland, and Jovi Rockwell are among the list of musical guests on Sweet Jamaica.

MOBO award-winning artist Mr. Vegas has been one of Jamaica's leading international forces since his entry into the music industry in 1997. Over the past 15 years, he has built an extensive catalogue which includes Billboard charting hits "Heads High" and "Pull Up" and urban radio bangers "Tek Weh Yuhself," "Hot Wuk" and "Gallis." Sweet Jamaica is his fifth studio album.

Sweet Jamaica will be released independently by Mr. Vegas' MV Music label on Tuesday, February 21st. Production credits include Clifford "Mr. Vegas" Smith, Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare, Cleveland "Clevie" Brown and Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson, Mikey Bennet, and Rohan Dwyer.

Dion Delivers Golden Performance At Memorable Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:40:00 UT

JAMAICA’S MUSICAL GREATS HONOURED AT JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL – Jamaica's musical greats Richie Stephens (left) and Shaggy (2nd right) were recognized by festival organizers Art of Music Productions for their contribution to the island’s music. Chairman of Art of Music Productions Walter Elmore (right) presented Stephens with an award to recognize his nearly two decade-long contribution to Jamaican music. Shaggy was honored for promoting Jamaica's culture internationally. Also, sharing the occasion on Friday, January 27 at the Jamaica Tourist Board sponsored event was German reggae artist, Gentleman, who shared the stage with Stephens earlier that evening.

A WARM EMBRACE FOR GRAMMYAWARD-WINNING SUPERSTAR – Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch greets five-time Grammy award-winning singer Celine Dion ahead of her performance at the 16th Annual Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival -- The Art of Music on Friday, January 27. Held at the Trewlany Multi-Purpose Stadium, just outside Jamaica's tourist capital Montego Bay, the Friday night lineup included Jully Black, Nicole Henry, Tami Chynn & Tessane Chin, and Richie Stephens & Gentleman.

DION DELIVERS GOLDEN PERFORMANCE AT JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL - As Jamaica celebrates its 50th Anniversary of Independence, multi-platinum international superstar Celine Dion delivered a golden performance to the over 20,000 people at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium on Friday, January 27. With an outstanding showcase to bring the curtains down on the second night of a stellar three-day festival, sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Dion delivered a set which included favorites such as I Drove All Night, Beauty and the Beast, The Prayer, Where Does My Heart Beat Now & Treat Her Like A Lady featuring a special appearance by Jamaican singer/songwriter Diana King. In a show lasting over an hour, Dion closed with My Heart Will Go On, the soundtrack from the blockbuster film Titantic, leaving patrons wanting more.

Sanjay And Beenie Man Want 'A Piece A Di Wine'

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:35:00 UT

Piece A Di Wine is another in a slew of creditable collaborations by Sanjay…

Noted lyricist Sanjay and ace deejay Beenie Man have teamed up to drop a hot track called Piece A Di Wine. The dancehall song will be released at the Youth View Awards after party this Saturday February four and will also feature on iTunes shortly after.

Piece A Di Wine is another notch in Sanjay’s cap as he continues to release infectious songs that have become anthems on the ground. Sanjay hit it big in 2007 with Man Of My Word and has since consistently followed up with both dancehall and reggae numbers which have made him a perennial staple on the local music scene.

Piece A Di Wine is another in a slew of creditable collaborations by Sanjay who in 2002 debuted with Strictly Physical featuring Tami Chynn, a song which preceded collabs with Vybz Kartel, Cecile and Aidonia to name a few. Based on his lyrical talents and niche appeal Sanjay is able to pick from the crème de la crème of Jamaican artistes with which to collaborate. Now he adds this track with Beenie Man to his repertoire.

Piece A Di Wine was produced by Conroy from Washroom Entertainment for Sanjay’s Portland Cottage Productions. The track features Sanjay in his supreme lyrical element belting out lines such as: “Me have di thuggin, huggin, luvin weh she a bawl fi, So, come link up…gimme a small pree, Me mek you see the light, like dis a diwali”. With lyrics like that it’s no wonder Sanjay is rated as one of the top lyricists in the game and one who always has fans on edge expecting his next twist of metaphors.

Beenie Man on the other hand comes with his signature swagg; laying down confident lines that have endeared him to the dancehall masses for over two decades. The dancehall king heralds his arrival on the track by confessing: “Gal you see that text deh, me meant it, just the way me sent it, Gal the way you wine, gal you gimme the eccentric, You want a private-I so you called it, no small fit, Obey you thirst mek me quench it”. Beenie Man and Sanjay are a balanced combination of real dancehall flavour with lyrical dept on a solid Washroom beat.

Piece A Di Wine empathises Sanjay’s lyrical prowess and dexterity and also shows that the artiste continues to release relevant material for today’s dancehall audience. Sanjay believes that this song will be a club banger that will have dancehall fans moving: “I went lyrical on the last single, Harder They Fall and now I’m going back to the ladies! This song has all the elements to make for a dancehall party anthem… a infectious chorus, good lyrics, Beenie Man's swagg and star power and a hard hitting Washroom produced authentic dancehall riddim!! Ladies… just get ready FI WINE!"

Piece A Di Wine will premier in Jamaica on February four exclusively at the Youth View Awards after party to be staged at National Indoor Sports Arena.

Jamaican Novel Selected For Presentation At International Humanities Conference

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 UT

Award-winning novel, ‘Lover’s Leap: Based on the Jamaican Legend’, by Jamaican-born Canadian author, Horane Smith, will be one of the papers on cultural and social issues that will be presented at the 10th International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, which will be held in Montreal, Canada, in June, this year.

Associate Professor of English Language and English Literature at Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Noha Faisal Mohamed, has selected Lover’s Leap as one of two novels she proposes to discuss the subject of mixed/fixed relations. The other novel is Forbidden Quest by American writer, Dar Tomlinson.

Professor Faisal Mohamed, whose proposal is presented on the conference’s website, notes that, “in Lover's Leap, Horane Smith, drawn by his Jamaican tradition, revives the legend of Lover’s Leap. He presents Jerome, the Jamaican slave, who is secretly in love with Anita, his master’s daughter. At the same time Alice, another slave, is in love with him. He has to choose between Anita and Alice. Is he going to choose Anita or Alice, wealth or poverty, freedom or slavery?”

It is not the first time that Mr. Smith’s novel, which has just been re-released as an e-book, has caught international attention. Shortly after its publication in 1999, the late British best-selling author, John Prebble, picked up the novel at a bookstore in London, describing Smith as, “one of our best emerging writers”. In 2006, the sequel to Lover’s Leap – Dawn at Lover’s Leap - was a finalist in the USA Booknews Bestbook Award for Historical Fiction.

Mr. Smith said he was thrilled with the selection. “This is my small gift to Jamaica on the 50th anniversary of its independence. Lover’s Leap is bigger outside of Jamaica than it is back home, so the selection doesn’t surprise me. This novel has appealed to all races and cultures, hence the reason for its inclusion in this paper,” he said.

The 1999 novel tells the story of the legend of Lover’s Leap, in St. Elizabeth, where forbidden love ended in tragedy on the 1700 ft. cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The Egyptian professor will be making a virtual presentation in English. She has conducted many researches focusing on interdisciplinary studies, feminism, ecology and sociology.

The Humanities Conference is held annually in different locations around the world. Over the past eight years, the conference has established a reputation as a focal point for new ideas and new practices in humanities research and teaching.

Mr. Smith is also the author of Port Royal, Reggae Silver, Underground to Freedom, The Lynching Stream, Seven Days in Jamaica and his latest Marooned in Nova Scotia –A story of the Jamaican Maroons in Canada.

He is the first recipient of the BURLA Award for outstanding contribution to African-Canadian and Caribbean literature, and has also been recognised among the top 100 outstanding Jamaicans by the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation Canada, for his contribution to local literature. More information on his books is available at www.horanesmith.com

US$9.5 Million Grant For Five-Year Plan Of Action Programme

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:55:00 UT

A US$9.5 million grant to assist with poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; environmental sustainability and energy security; and democratic governance, has been secured by the Government from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The agreement was formalised by Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, who signed on behalf of the Government, while Resident Representative/ United Nations Resident Co-ordinator of the UNDP, Dr. Arun Kashyap, signed on behalf of the UNDP, Monday January 30, at the PIOJ offices, in New Kingston.

The grant will be used to implement the five-year “Country Programme Plan of Action (CPAP) 2012–2016." CPAP, which covers the elements of UNDP support to a national programme of development over the next five years, began with a Common Country Assessment, which looked at Jamaica’s socio-economic conditions.

In his remarks, Dr. Hutchinson said the arrangement is cause for celebration, as the approximately $780 million is not only a major investment in the country’s social and governance development, but reflected “proper country ownership."

He pointed out that the process leading to the successful conclusion of the aid package was “inclusive,” as it reflected participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including civil society and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Areas of focus include the Metcalfe Street Juvenile Correctional Centre, the Rural Employment Programme and initiatives to deepen and strengthen democratic governance, including enhancing the representation by elected individuals at the local as well as the parliamentary levels.

While sharing the sentiments of the PIOJ, Dr. Kashyap said the aid package was consistent with Jamaica’s Vision 20/30 Programme, and was in support of the Government’s Medium Term Economic Programme.

He added that the programme, while placing emphasis on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, would also contribute to the Government’s on-going reform efforts as well as the county’s proper fiscal management.

Vision 2030 Jamaica is the country’s first long-term national development plan, which aims at enabling Jamaica to achieve developed country status by 2030. It is based on a comprehensive vision: “Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business."

Minister Says Sports Must Become Major Income Earner For Country

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:00:00 UT

Minister with responsibility for Sports, Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley, says it is her vision that sports will become a major income earner for the country, and “will be the glue that binds us together as a people."

She added that in this 50th year of Independence, Jamaicans must be prepared, as a nation, to move the development of sports to reflect the greatness that resides in them as a people.

The Minister was speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the first international, standardised baseball field in Jamaica, at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports, in St. Catherine, on January 27.

Mrs. Neita-Headley said Government policies must positively influence economic models for the development of sports. “I am now reviewing the Green Paper for the revised National Sports Policy and you can be assured that our approach to sports, as a business, will feature prominently in the final version of this document,” the Sports Minister stated.

Construction of the baseball diamond will begin on January 30 and is expected to be completed by February 3. It will cost the government approximately $800,000, instead of the required US$12,000, as the main engineer, Damon VanBrocklin, who will construct the field, has opted to waive his fee.

Mrs. Neita-Headley said the construction is significant, “as not only are we undertaking to invest in the development of another new sport, but we are also expanding the possibilities that sport can offer to our country as an income earner."

She noted that although baseball might be seen as an unconventional sport for most Jamaicans, she is confident that within a few years, it will be among one of the many sporting activities in which Jamaicans not only participate, but excel.

The Minister informed that in this regard, some 34 local physical education teachers have been trained and have received Level One certification. “This is commendable and only a small part of the vision that I have for G.C. Foster College and the business of sports,” she said.

She argued that with the new field being built at G.C. Foster, the government and its stakeholders are “planting the seed of sustainability and the country stands to benefit in the immediate and near future."

“In a few years, the college should be known for producing world class coaches in this region and Jamaica must be known as the ‘go-to’ country for exporting coaches,” she said. “We have produced many world stars in athletics, cricket, boxing and football. It is, therefore, not beyond us to produce baseball icons, like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, C.Y. Young and most recently, Andre Dawson,” she added.

Principal, G.C. Foster College, Edward Shakes, said he was pleased to be part of the development of the sport of baseball in Jamaica. “It is only natural and logical that the diamond will be sited here at G.C. Foster, because if we are commencing a sport programme in our country, then we ought to put it at a place that is established in order to build capacity,” he argued.

He further noted that by constructing the baseball diamond at the College, the government is making it possible for local physical education teachers and coaches to be trained in teaching the sport, and eventually will be dispersed to local schools.

“In so doing, we will build capacity for the development of baseball in our country by entrenching it in the minds of every child and helping them to develop an interest and the skills necessary to participate in the discipline,” he said.

Head of Projects, Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Terry Monteque, said the project represented a real milestone in the further development of sports in Jamaica, noting that the construction will enable local students to broaden their horizon.

“I give Jamaicans five to ten years, based on our natural ability and our tendency towards sports, to land ourselves at least one individual in some major league across the world,” he said.

Director of Baseball/Sports Officer, at the Institute of Sports (INSPORT), Donovan Corcho, said the intended baseball programme at G.C. Foster represents the development of a sustained mechanism to drive the growth of the sport in Jamaica.

He said as part of plans to further develop and promote the sport among children, particularly at the primary school level, INSPORT will host the pilot of a baseball tournament among 12 schools from St. Catherine and Kingston in April.

The construction of the baseball field is being spearheaded by INSPORT, which is an agency of the Ministry of Sports, with funding from the SDF.

Jenny Mein Designs

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:40:00 UT

“Beautiful fine bone china tableware and giftware inspired by Caribbean fruit and flowers”

Jenny Mein, founder of Jenny Mein Designs, recently re-launched her stunning new website www.jennymeindesigns.com to showcase her exclusive new fine bone china collections, “Jamaican Breadfruit” and “Caribbean Garden” to complement the Jamaican Ackee collection. The website is ever-expanding and offers a lifestyle service showcasing some of her exquisite range of china and reflecting her previous occupation as a magazine food editor, with a selection of imaginative and delicious Jamaican recipes.

Jenny Mein launched her first china collection, the Jamaican Ackee in 1998 at the prestigious Jamaica Expo and Trade Fair at Olympia, London and was delighted with the marvellous response to the china she decided to set up Jenny Mein Designs. The china is produced exclusively under patent and finished to the highest standard in Stoke-on-Trent, England, home of the British china industry. The china now grace the homes of people from all walks of life and include British celebrities such as the television actors, Dawn French and Lenny Henry, Dianne Abbott, MP to the Jamaican Ambassador’s residence in Washington D.C.

Jenny Mein is committed to designing good-quality, affordable and elegant china which is fresh and contemporary yet steeped in tradition and which are ideal for gifts and souvenirs or simply to use in the stylish home. In so doing she hopes to promote awareness of the Caribbean’s rich natural heritage.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller Receives Congratulatory Call From Secretary Of State Clinton

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:55:00 UT

Prime Minister the Most Hon Portia Simpson Miller this afternoon received a call from US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton congratulating her on her election victory, and on once again assuming leadership of the country as its Prime Minister.

Mrs. Clinton spoke of the warm relations between Jamaica and the United States of America, and offered to get a team together to visit Jamaica to explore how they can be of further assistance particularly in the areas of security, education and poverty reduction.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller thanked Mrs. Clinton for the offer, saying that the areas suggested would be of great assistance to the country.

In complimenting Mrs. Clinton, Prime Minister Simpson Miller said that the women of the world drew inspiration from her strength and achievements.
The call from Secretary Clinton follows a similar one received from US President Barack Obama during her first week in office.

USVI Strengthens Partnerships At Caribbean Marketplace

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:40:00 UT

The strong interest in the United States Virgin Islands was encouraging for the territory's team at this week's 30th anniversary staging of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA) Caribbean Marketplace in the Bahamas.

"People are very excited about the US Virgin Islands," reported Deputy Commissioner of Tourism Chantal Figueroa, who listed new convenient air service, the ease of travel, the no-passport requirement and the three distinct island offerings as major drawing points among conference buyers.

"Although we are one destination, buyers are pleased they can offer their clients different things to do because of how varied our islands are," she said. The new air service to the territory on both JetBlue Airways and Air Canada contributed to the keen responses at the biggest gathering of the Caribbean travel and tourism industry and companies which serve them abroad.

Figueroa described her team's more than 40 appointments with travel and media partners over two days as "productive". The meetings, she added, provided the opportunity to cement partnerships with traditional and new tour operators and communicate the Department of Tourism's strategy for 2012.

While the Department of Tourism team is in regular communication with its partners throughout the year, she pointed out, "at Marketplace we are able to meet face to face with tour operators to strengthen our relationships, communicate our strategy, discuss booking trends and advance our marketing charge."

Of particular interest to delegates, observed Figueroa, was a Master Class taught by TripAdvisor about online marketing strategies to help promote the growth of tourism.

The Deputy Commissioner also observed as more and more consumers book travel online and with mobile devices, tour operators are looking at ways to make the online and mobile booking experience more exciting and fun.

The USVI delegation was led by Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty who attended pre-convention meetings with Caribbean ministers and commissioners of tourism which focused in part on advancing regional marketing efforts and the revival of the Caribbean Tourism Development Company.

Also reaching out to the hundreds of attendees at Caribbean Marketplace was the Department's marketing coordinator Chantel Hoheb; incoming president of the CHTA Richard Doumeng of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort; Lisa Hamilton, president of the US Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association; and more than a dozen representatives from a number of the US Virgin Islands' leading hotels and resorts.

During closed door sessions, Hamilton was elected President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) for a two-year term.

PIOJ Aims At Probate Reform To Mobilise Public And Private Assets

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:10:00 UT

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, has announced that probate reform, which aims to mobilise private and public assets, deemed under-utilised, is expected to come on stream within the next few months.

Speaking on the final day of the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) seventh Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on January 26, Dr. Hutchinson said asset mobilisation is a pivotal component in realising the commitment of creating an enabling business environment, as outlined in the country’s long-term National Development Plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica.

“With asset mobilisation, what we (at the PIOJ) are interested in doing, is figuring out how we can mobilise idle or latently productive human, physical and financial assets in both the public and private sectors. That is, increasing the mobility of these assets and enabling greater efficiency in the use of these assets to support production,” he explained, while stressing the importance of private/public collaboration in this regard.

Citing land as an example where probate reform would be effective, the PIOJ Head pointed to some 6,000 cases of wills for properties, which cannot be probated, because of difficulties being experienced in processing these documents. He noted that challenges were being experienced, particularly with wills prepared between 1920 and 1945, which “were all just done on (paper) leaves”, hence, “we can’t move the process through."

“We have worked it through and we now know the one area which is left for it (probate reform) to go through, as we have already solved where the bottleneck is. It basically means that we have to electronically put all these things (will and land information) on the system, scan them, and put them in, so that we can move. We are on the verge of breaking through on that. All the legislations (are in place), and we are expecting to have this breakthrough within the next couple of months,” he assured.

Dr. Hutchinson said asset mobilisation is one of six priority areas the PIOJ has identified for collaborative policy development between the government and private sector, given the current “tight fiscal constraints." The others are: social inclusion, competitiveness, public sector transformation, business networking, and built and natural environment issues.

“What we are calling for now, is for a modern relationship. A modern partnership between government and the private sector, where government concentrates on the delivery of its core functions, so that the private sector can concentrate on project risk and business risk for their activities, including those that they are going to partner with government on,” he said.

In this regard, the PIOJ Head stressed that addressing the challenges associated with probate reform is necessary.

“It will lead to significant economic elasticity. It also leads to significant economic (benefits), because for a lot of people, their primary asset is the land that they inherited which, in a number of cases, they cannot currently use. And, to get it going, we are going to need the private sector’s imagination and entrepreneurship,” Dr. Hutchinson underscored.

Coca-Cola Launches The 2012 Coca-Cola Rhythm

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:10:00 UT

Coca-Cola has released the second official Coca-Cola Rhythm in time for Carnival 2012. The rhythm features an all star line up on a groovy soca beat developed by Kernal Roberts.

Coca-Cola has always been a refreshing delight to people all across the globe since 1886. The 2012 Coca-Cola Rhythm builds on the optimistic refreshment platform which embodies Coke’s Open Happiness mantra.

This new rhythm features an amazing group of artistes including: Benjai, Lil Bitts, Umi Marcano, Screws and Devon Matthews. Their talent brought to life the Rhythm objective - to share happiness, build excitement and really enjoy Carnival as Trinbangonians do with Soca Music.

According to Franchise Brand Manager, Mr. Roberto Lapeira, “Coca-Cola is pleased to have to opportunity to share its second Carnival Rhythm with Trinidad and Tobago. We are always trying to find innovative ways to really connect with the public and with the success of the last rhythm, we knew we had to bring something even more amazing this year. Kernal Roberts took the challenge and brought a fantastic, new groovy soca sound that includes our trademark Coca-Cola five tones and makes you want to dance in the street this Carnival.”

Gov't Assessing Economic Impact Of Tourism

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:50:00 UT

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said that the Government and tourism stakeholders are examining the contribution of the sector to the country’s development through several studies.

“At present, our Ministry is conducting a study of the economic impact of the tourism sector, which is scheduled for completion in April of this year,” he informed.

This, he said, is in addition to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s (STATIN) Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which is tool to measure the contribution of the sector; and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) study on travel and tourism as a driver of economic development.

The Minister, who was addressing an Investments and Capital Markets conference on Wednesday Jan. 25 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, said the research “will go a long way towards providing the empirical evidence and the data that we need to assist the Government and the private sector in designing the appropriate policies that can steer this high growth, high earnings sector to the benefit of the economy and the wider society”

He noted however that while these studies were important tools in measuring the contributions of the industry, more statistical information is needed to guide the development of the industry.

To this end, he assured that the Government is working to have local travel and tourism statistics readily available, to provide a truer picture of the sector’s growth and contributions.

Hosted by the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the three-day regional conference, now in its seventh year, is being held under the theme: ‘Forging Alliances: Opportunities Amidst the Crises’. Minister McNeill spoke on the topic: ‘The Tourism Sector: Help or Hindrance to Employment and the Agricultural Sector?’

Geared towards the business community, the conference focuses on areas of local, regional and global interest by discussing how economies can be positioned to capitalise on opportunities presented and how organisations can facilitate the growth and development of countries.

Some 700 Jamaicans To Be Employed Under Road Maintenance Project

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (right); and Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Omar Davies (2nd right) greet residents of St. Ann, who turned out for the launch of the Routine Road Maintenance Project for the North Coast Highway, at Salem in Runaway Bay. The project will see some 700 persons engaged in the cleaning and beautification of sections of the highway as well as drains.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, on Wednesday Jan. 25 launched the Performance-based Routine Road Maintenance Project for the North Coast Highway, which will provide meaningful employment for some 700 persons from seven parishes.

The US$10 million project, which will be carried out over a two-year period, was made possible through partnership between the government and the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) financed Road Improvement Programme. Work is scheduled to get underway immediately.

Persons selected for employment will benefit from preparation and training through the HEART Trust/NTA and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), enabling them to perform quality work in the cleaning and beautification of sections of the 230-kilometre roadway stretching from Negril, Westmoreland to Port Antonio, Portland, as well as critical drains.

Addressing the thousands of participants at the launching ceremony held at Salem in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, the Prime Minister made it clear that the initiative being undertaken is not the much-talked about Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), but one with a similar concept “that will create productive work for our people”.

She informed that in the weeks ahead, aspects of JEEP will be rolled out, particularly in the areas of agriculture, construction, transportation, and information, communication technology.

Mrs. Simpson Miller expressed gratitude to the IDB for approving the project, which she said, is geared towards providing much support for road safety in Jamaica.

“Road safety is very important. We are having too many serious accidents on our roads and so I want to thank the IDB for placing a focus in this programme… (and) for its continued assistance in helping us realize our national development goals,” she stated.

The Prime Minister assured the organisation’s Resident Representative, Ansel Brewster, “of the highest level of probity and integrity in the execution and management of this programme."

The road maintenance project will be carried out by the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing and the National Works Agency (NWA), with the NSWMA to have responsibility for engaging both skilled and unskilled labour from communities through which the highway passes.

“I want to say to those who will be working on this programme and I want to make it absolutely clear, that the NSWMA will ensure that the work undertaken is done to the highest standards at all times. This is not a programme for persons to come and sit and do nothing. It will be executed in good order and will deliver value for money to the Jamaican people,” the Prime Minister stated.

She expressed the hope that the project will be implemented without too much inconvenience to motorist and the travelling public.

Harbour Heights For ODPEM Project

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:55:00 UT

Harbour Heights, a community overlooking Harbour View in the hills of East Rural St Andrew, will be the first to benefit from a pilot landslide mitigation project, to be implemented by the Office of Disaster Management and Preparedness (ODPEM).

Titled the Jamaica Landslide Risk Reduction Project, it is being financed by a US$2.37 million grant from the Japanese Social Development Fund, an affiliate of the World Bank. The programme is slated to cover four communities over a three year period, beginning with Harbour Heights.

Project coordinator at ODPEM, Kirk Frankson, told JIS News that Harbour Heights, a former Operation Pride settlement, was chosen because it met the criteria of a compact settlement with residents at risk and vulnerable.

The mitigation project will include the plotting (with the aid of GPS technology and local ‘lay-of-the-land knowledge), outlining and erecting of a series of drains, gutters, channels and rainwater harvesting strategies that will act as natural hazard intervention techniques.

“We’ve actually completed the process of creating the community hazard map and are completing a proposed drainage plan. We’ve engaged the community in several sensitization sessions and workshops,” Mr. Frankson said.

The works programme in Harbour Heights is scheduled to start in another three months. Itaims to reduce the risk of natural disasters in vulnerable communities.

The concept is based on the Management of Slope Stability in Communities (MoSSaiC) methodology, developed by a team of researchers from the University of Bristol, Professor Malcolm Anderson and Dr. Elizabeth Holcombe. It was first implemented in St. Lucia, which had a similar landslide problem.

According to Mr. Frankson, one unique aspect of the project is the employment opportunities for persons the residents.

“So, we’ll be doing significant community-based contracting, where we create short-term employment for persons in the community and, through a multiplier effect, ensure that the community benefits from the process,” he said.

Mr. Frankson noted that experience has taught that when implementation of projects is done by communities, it creates a level of sustainability for the development, as the residents take some level of responsibility and are more likely to protect and maintain it.

Government Open To Options In Talks With IMF - Finance Minister

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:50:00 UT

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips

The Government will consider a number of options, including a Staff Monitored Programme, during the upcoming negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new agreement.

This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, during an interview with JIS News, Thursday Jan. 26.

“Nothing is off the table, except that we want to have an agreement that will build confidence in the investment community and among all stakeholders,” the Minister explained.

Providing clarification with respect to the need for further balance of payment support from the Fund, the Minister said that while the country does not have a pressing balance of payment problem at this time, any new IMF agreement will serve to enhance investor confidence and generate the release of other funds from the country’s bi-lateral and multilateral partners.

“We don’t have an urgent balance of payment problem and the IMF lends money primarily for balance of payment support. That is not what drives us, even though we certainly need some support, and that (support) won’t be triggered, unless we have a good IMF programme for the most part, neither from our multilateral partners, nor from our bilateral partners,” he explained.

The country’s multilateral partners include the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Jamaica enjoys bilateral relations with sovereign states and jurisdictions, such as the European Union.

According to Dr. Phillips, the technical work which the Ministry and its agencies are undertaking, will inform the negotiations and the choice of an appropriate option.

“We are going to enter the negotiations with the IMF and we have a range of options available to us, including a staff monitored programme. We are going to look at the options when the negotiations get to that intensive stage, but much more technical work needs to be done...looking at the projections going forward,” he stated.

With respect to the lingering economic challenges facing many European countries as well as the slower than expected recovery of the US economy and the rest of the developed world, the Finance Minister acknowledged that those developments would pose challenges to the Jamaican economy.

"It's clear from the report of the IMF and the Management of the World Bank, that they are projecting slower growth for the world economy... that will create difficulties for Jamaica. It might mean lower demand for some of our exports; it might mean slower remittance of earnings from Jamaicans overseas...depending on their personal situation,” he said.

The Minister said that with the challenges posed by the prospect of a deepening global economic downturn, it is critical for the country to find ways to grow its economy.

"Overall, we will have to redouble our efforts to export more, to seek new markets, particularly in areas that are not as affected greatly by the recession; we will have to try and source investment funds from other places that are not going to be as affected by the recession as the United States and Europe," the Minister said.

He further explained that it will also mean tighter expenditure and a more prudent management of the country’s financial resources.

"It means that we will have to manage our resources... reduce waste and spend only what we are able to secure through revenues, because we have to sustain stability in the economy and reduce the debt, so that we can get out of this debt trap that is slowing down our capacity to grow as a country. It will be difficult in the near term, particularly if the recession is a deep one, but I think in the end, we can lay the foundation for a better future for all our people," Dr. Phillips said.

With respect to the extent to which expenditure cuts will be reflected in the soon to be rolled out Supplementary Estimates, the Minister explained that it is early days yet. “We can’t say at this time, but thankfully, we are close to the end of the fiscal year, so I think that even as we cut, I don’t expect too much disruption to the activities that are going on,” he said.

“We would rather expand than cut, but we have a responsibility to the country and most of all to our children’s future, to ensure that Jamaica has a strong economic foundation going forward, and we can’t build that foundation on just borrowing money to meet our basic expenses,” the Minister emphasised.

Mona Sewage Extension Works Get Underway In Two Weeks

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:50:00 UT

Work on the National Water Commission's (NWC) sewerage extension project, in the vicinity of Mona, St. Andrew, is set to get underway in two weeks.

The $54 million project, which falls under the NWC’s Sewage Development Programme, will involve construction of a number of PVC sanitary sewers, manholes and side road laterals on a number of streets leading off Mona Road.

These include: Gerbera Drive, Palmoral Avenue, Sunflower Way, Spathodia Avenue, Garden Boulevard, Mona Mews, Ponner Pen Lane, and a short segment along Hope Road.

Director of Communications at the NWC, Charles Buchannan, informed that the Mona system will be linked to the recently commissioned Soapberry Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Catherine, to enable better treatment.

He told JIS News that work was already undertaken in the Mona area, but the expansion works involve putting in additional lines to enable the NWC to collect sewage from private premises and to properly treat it in one central location.

He informed that the project forms part of the Commission’s continued thrust to expand its services in areas where population density and improper disposal of sewage pose serious risks to water supply, as well as to public health.

“The development of sewerage systems is mainly to protect public health and reduce the risk of improper disposal and treatment of sewage. It also protects the environment from the harmful effects of sewage that is improperly disposed of or treated. Infrastructural services such as these, aid economic development by facilitating and generating economic activity,” Mr. Buchanan stated.

The contract has been awarded to BAJAD Ltd, and will be executed over a five-month period.

Mr. Buchanan said the work will be carefully monitored and supervised to ensure that it is in keeping with the environmental standards set by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and is in keeping with NWC’s mandate to safeguard public health.

Parliament Remembers Dudley Thompson

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:50:00 UT

The late Ambassador, the Hon. Dudley Thompson, will be accorded an official funeral by the Government of Jamaica.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, on Tuesday (January 24), during a parliamentary tribute to Ambassador Thompson in the House of Representatives. She said details of the funeral will be announced at a later date.

Ambassador Thompson died on Friday (Jan. 20) one day after his 95th birthday.

In her tribute, Mrs. Simpson Miller noted that the late Ambassador had a distinguished diplomatic career and served as Jamaica’s envoy to West Africa, specifically to Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Namibia.

“He was regarded as a world citizen; a Pan Africanist to the core and a freedom fighter. Mr. Thompson was a well-respected diplomat and a consummate statesman, who had the distinction of being considered a friend... (by) African leaders,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She stated that as a dedicated politician and public servant, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica for distinguished service in the field of International Affairs.

She said he was a “serious liberationist”, who contributed significantly to the independence struggles in Belize and the Bahamas and was an integral part of the team which crafted and implemented the laws, which led to the social transformation of Jamaica during the 1970s.

“In spite of all his accomplishments, he was a decent human being, who placed himself firmly on the side of the marginalised and oppressed and dedicated his life to the development of his people,” Mrs. Simpson Miller stated.

Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Andrew Holness, in his contribution, said Ambassador Thompson had made significant contribution to national development.

“I want to pay tribute to him firstly as a nationalist par excellence. He was prominent among those who searched passionately for the Jamaican identity and for whom Jamaica was the centre of his being. He served his country with passion and distinction. It is often stated that we do not choose our roles in life but we have a duty to play them well. Ambassador Thompson played many roles and he played them all very well,” he added.

Born in Panama on January 19, 1917 to Daniel and Ruby Thompson, Ambassador Thompson was a life member of the People’s National Party (PNP), and was elected Chairman of the PNP in 1979.

He was a PNP Senator in the years 1962-1978, and was leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives in 1978. He served as Member of Parliament for St. Andrew Western from 1978 to 1983; Minister of National Security in 1978; Minister of Mining and Natural Resources from 1977 to 1978 and Minister of State, with the responsibility for Foreign Affairs from 1972-1975.

Mr. Thompson was Jamaica’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Namibia. He was Jamaica’s chief representative in the conference on the Law of the Sea and played a leading role in securing Jamaica as the permanent headquarters for the International Seabed Authority. He also introduced the Office of the Ombudsman to Jamaica.

At the time of his death, Mr. Thompson was the President of the World Africa Diaspora Union.

Irish And Chin Announces World Clash R.E.S.E.T.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:45:00 UT

World Clash is turning a new leaf for it's thrilling return in 2012, as part of Irish and Chin's year-long 15th Anniversary celebration. While the street's buzz for World Clash is immense, Irish and Chin recently announced big plans for the epic sound clashes to be held on Saturday, April 7 @ Amazura in Queens, New York and Monday, April 9 @ Pier 1 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The return of World Clash is being fueled by Irish and Chin's R.E.S.E.T. (Restoring, Exciting, Sound System, Entertainment Together) campaign, which was recently launched on their weekly Sound Chat Internet radio show. R.E.S.E.T. aims to bring back excitement to sound system entertainment on a global scale. Some major components of the campaign involve the creation of a unified arena for juggling and clash sounds, the admission of 45s (non dubplate recordings) in sound clashes and less profanity in competitions.

To address the incorporation of establishing a unified arena in the R.E.S.E.T. campaign, Irish and Chin co-owner Garfield "Chin" Bourne says "The global presence, which was once governed by Dancehall's top sound systems has become dormant, as both the juggling and clash sectors of the industry have suffered a decline in bookings and global visibility."

The promoter adds "In order to regain the position that sound systems once had, moving forward, it would be advantageous to create one arena, consisting of juggling and clash sounds/selectors. This fusion will allow Dancehall fans to experience a mixture of hardcore and bashment entertainment in one setting, ultimately resulting in a tremendous increase in patronage."

Irish and Chin's R.E.S.E.T. campaign has been a very hot topic on their weekly Sound Chat Internet radio show, the 45 concept initially spawned intense discussions from key sound system players, owners and fans. Regarding 45s, to date, most of the people canvassed wholeheartedly support the concept. However, there are those that stay true to dubplate only clashes -- suggesting that 45s may water down the clash.

"I came up with the R.E.S.E.T. campaign to establish a formal vehicle of bringing positive changes to the sound system arena as a whole," says Garfield "Chin" Bourne. "My ultimate goal is to help ensure the longevity of this very unique and historical sport ...I chose to incorporate 45s into the campaign, as it has become extremely apparent that inflating dub plate prices and a lack of discovering new talent could eventually kill the craft."

Numerous historical sound system figures have endorsed the return of 45s, indicating that 45 records were an essential component of the early sound clash era. A recent caller also brought up a very valid point: the return of 45s could possibly bring women back to the currently male-dominated clash arena. Ultimately, most women in the Dancehall appreciate hearing music that they can recognize and sing along to.

To round off plans for R.E.S.E.T., Irish and Chin would like to see an arena that is ripe with talent and limited on profanity. This will allow there to be more focus on the entertainment and musical aspects of it all. Toning down profanity will also allow the culture to have a wider audience and greater marketing opportunities. Irish and Chin fully recognizes that explicit language has been a major element of hardcore sound clash entertainment, but admits that sometimes it goes too far.

Irish and Chin is currently hard at work crafting a stellar line up for the World Clash events, which will likely involve clash and juggling sounds. While a dream team of sounds is being identified, the World Clash promoters will continue to publicize the clash's return and educate fans on their R.E.S.E.T. campaign. Because so many fans are contacting Irish and Chin about the highly anticipated World Clash, there will soon be early bird tickets for the New York staging for sale on Irishandchin.com.

Digicel Haiti Welcomes New CEO Damian Blackburn

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:40:00 UT

Digicel, the best value operator in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific, today announced that Damian Blackburn, formerly CEO of Digicel Honduras, will assume the role of CEO of Digicel Haiti and Group Director of Special Projects effective immediately.

A telecoms industry veteran with over fourteen years experience, Damian joined Digicel Group three and a half years ago as Group Operational Development Director. He was then promoted to the role of Regional CEO which saw him overseeing twelve Caribbean markets before moving to Honduras in October 2010 to lead the Digicel business there until its acquisition by America Movil in November 2011. Prior to joining Digicel, Damian held senior management positions with Virgin Mobile, BT Group and Vodafone in the Europe. In his new role, Damian will report directly to Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves.

Damian takes over from Maarten Boute who has been CEO of Digicel Haiti for three years. Despite the challenges posed by the devastating January 2010 earthquake, the cholera outbreak and a prolonged period of political instability, Maarten steered the business through a strong growth phase which saw subscribers increase by 1.5 million and revenues by 60%. Maarten will remain with Digicel in Haiti until the end of March to support Damian in his new role and ensure a smooth transition before moving on to spend more time with his family.

Damian Blackburn comments; “I am very excited about my new role. Haiti is full of opportunities and I am looking forward to continuing to build the business there and delivering new innovations, great service and great value to our customers. I am also deeply committed to continuing to support our communities as we do all we can to help Haiti to a brighter future.”

Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, comments; “We are delighted to have Damian accept the role of CEO of Digicel Haiti and Group Director of Special Projects. Given his excellent track record across multiple Digicel operations and his energy, commitment and focus, we are confident he will ensure that our Haiti business goes from strength to strength.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to Maarten for three great years with Digicel and to wish him and his growing family all the very best. Maarten will always be a member of the Digicel family and we are pleased to confirm that we anticipate Maarten will have an ongoing role going forward.”

Govt Invites Region To Expo Jamaica 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:45:00 UT

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan (2nd right), has the ear of Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (2nd left), during the media launch of Expo Jamaica 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel, in New Kingston, on January 24. Others are (from left): President of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association, Vitus Evans, and President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Brian Pengelley.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon Anthony Hylton, says government intends to strengthen regional linkages to ensure balance and equity in treaty arrangements with CARICOM/CARIFORUM partners.

Mr. Hylton noted that Jamaica’s approach to strengthening regional cooperation and commercial linkages were priorities for both the Prime Minister and himself.

“It is one that has my full and complete endorsement,” he told the media launch of Expo Jamaica 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel in New Kingston, Tuesday (January 24).

Mr. Hylton added that working with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, his Ministry would be taking a robust approach to regional trade arrangements.

“We intend to ensure that the Jamaican consumer and business sector realize the full benefit of these arrangements. It is no secret that there have been challenges in this regard in recent years,” he asserted.

Mr. Hylton stressed that the government would ensure that the balance and equity on which the treaties were established, would be achieved. He noted that details of this move would be expanded on in coming weeks.

He said the Ministry would initiate a sustained programme of economic diplomacy in the first instance.

“Our objective is to ensure that the benefits and the burdens associated with regional trade are equitably shared by all nations in the region. Ours will be a firm collegiate overture to our trading partners in the region,” he stated.

He added that, in this context of friendly cooperation, he has requested that regional Ministers of Commerce be made aware of Expo 2012, with a view to having them bring or send trade delegations to the Expo.

“In particular, I am extending the hand of regional partnership to colleague ministers in Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic, with which we have begun a process of dialogue for strengthened trade relations,” he said.

Mr. Hylton informed that he had also requested that these delegations be invited to Jamaica’s premier investment event, the Jamaica Investment Forum, which is to be held in Montego Bay March 1-2. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, will host it in partnership with the IDB.

Some 85 buyers from 11 countries are already registered, including regional countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, and others as far away as Hungary and Africa. Twenty-three local buyers are also now registered, including purchasing teams from local hotels and attractions.

Genie-Nominated Filmmaker To Receive T&T Award

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:02 UT

Ian Harnarine, the award winning Trinidadian-Canadian filmmaker, will receive an Award of Recognition from the Government of Trinidad & Tobago for his outstanding contribution to film, at the CaribbeanTales Youth Film Festival Gala, co-hosted with TIFF, on February 4, 2012. The Gala celebrates the fiftieth anniversaries of both Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, and will also feature the Canadian premiere of Jamaican film Better Mus Come

Harnarine’s short film Doubles with Slight Pepper, an Official Selection at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, won Best Canadian Short at TIFF 2011, and is currently touring Canada as part of a select group of Canadian films known as Canada's Top Ten. And in January 2012, Doubles was nominated for a Genie (the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars). The Genies take place in March in Toronto.

The film tells the story of Dhani, a street vendor in Trinidad, who struggles to reconcile his relationship with his father who has just returned from Canada, before the latter dies. Poetic dialogue and compelling characters shape this story of the contemporary immigrant experience.

Harnarine developed Doubles as an alumnus of the CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CIPAVE) in 2010. The intensive program, that helps filmmakers to develop market ready content, also introduced the US-based filmmaker to potential partners from around the region. Shortly afterwards, the film was shot in Trinidad, with partial funding from the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, and starring Trinidadian actors Errol Sitahal, Sanjiv Boodhu, and Susan Hannays-Abraham.

""I am humbled and grateful that the Government of Trinidad & Tobago has chosen to bestow this incredible honour upon me. Without the financial assistance of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, and the unwavering support of CaribbeanTales, this film would not have been possible. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to share a bit of Trinidad & Tobago's rich culture with the world."

The son of Trinidadian immigrants, Ian Harnarine grew up in Toronto, and attended York University where he earned a BA in Physics and Astronomy. He moved to Chicago for his Master’s degree in Nuclear Physics. Bored with his chosen profession, he settled in Brooklyn and became a filmmaker at NYU’s Graduate Film School. He is currently on the Faculty at NYU in both the Physics Department and the Tisch School of Film.

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film will be presented by the High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Canada His Excellency Philip Buxo on the occasion of the CaribbeanTales Youth Film Festival Gala Brunch, co-hosted with TIFF, at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Feb 4, 2012.

Name: CaribbeanTales Youth Film Festival | Gala, Brunch & Canadian Premiere of Better Mus’ Come
Date: February 4, 2012 at 12pm
Venue: TIFF Bell Lightbox
Tickets: CaribbeanTales-events.coms

Honorable R. Danny William Addresses South Florida Alumni Association

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:45:00 UT

Chairman of the Jamaica College Foundation, the Honorable R. Danny William addressed the Jamaica College Old Boys Association (JCOBAFL) at their Annual General Meeting in Miramar, Florida, January 14th, 2012.

Mr. Williams provided an update to the JCOBAFL members of the efforts by the Jamaica College Foundation and school board to continue to improve the school.

He admonished members to continue to play a role in helping the school as they try to educate young men who will eventually play a crucial role in nation building.

“You can play a part in molding these young men,” said Mr. Williams, as he discussed the difficulty facing many students who are from single parent homes with no male figure to guide them in their formative years. He further elaborated on the school's welfare program and the cadre of guidance counselors, social workers and the Dean of discipline, which are required to attend to the ever-increasing demands of the student populous exposed to the ills of a society that they are a part of. The main area of need is that of the challenges faced by students due to absentee fathers and overburdened mothers.

The talk was well received by the attendees, with many pledging to renew the scope & extent of their involvement with the Florida chapter and to do their part in advancing the welfare of Jamaica College, and by extension, Jamaica.

The Jamaica College Old Boys Association Jamaica College Foundation presented Mr. Williams with a check for $1000 (US) for the Jamaica College Foundation.

UWI Research Days 2012 To Examine Health And Wellness Research

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 UT

Health and Wellness will be the focus as the University of the West Indies hosts its 2012 Research Days activities on Thursday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 27 on the Mona Campus. Now in its 13th year, the annual forum provides an opportunity for dialogue between researchers and students, potential investors/research collaborators, business leader policy makers locally, regionally and internationally.

This year's theme, "Promoting Health and Wellness: The UWI Mona's Innovative Approach", seeks to highlight the UWI's efforts and achievements as a teaching and research institution in advancing knowledge and the understanding of the factors that facilitate or impede health and wellness. One major highlight will be the formal unveiling of the revolutionary UWI Cardiac Surgery Simulator invention. Developed by an eminent team of researchers at the Mona Campus, the device is poised to transform the teaching of cardiac surgery globally. It is already in great demand by Ivy League Universities in across the USA and interest is being shown by universities as far afield as Australia. The Launch and Demo of the Simulator will take place on Thursday, January 26 at 9:00 am at the Undercroft of the University's Senate Building.

The 2012 Research Days exposition will showcase the University's innovations and distinguished research focus and achievements, as it seeks to maximise the application of research findings and innovations outside of the academic environment. With continuing recognition regionally and internationally of the university's excellence in research, the Mona Campus now officially presents its outstanding catalogue of research in the area of health and wellness.

Another feature of the event will be the annual American Friends of Jamaica Inc and The Cobb Family Lecture Series, which will see Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee speaking on Addressing Road Safety Through Innovative Thinking and Technologies. The lecture takes place on Thursday, at 5:30 p.m. also at the Undercroft.

Research Days 2012 concludes with a gala awards function on Friday January 27, where presentations will be made to the most outstanding researchers for 2011.

Win A Trip To Jamaica Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:30:00 UT

The Andrew Dixon Foundation (ADF) has been working locally and internationally by developing a youth baseball league for at risk children. With the primary objective of teaching and developing self esteem and discipline for at risk children through sports and education.

Within the United States ADF was approved as the Jamaican Cal Ripken Youth League and internationally the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Jamaica, West Indies has endorsed ADF baseball program as a physical education (PE) curriculum in the primary and secondary schools. According to Mrs. Grace McLean, Jamaica Chief Education Officer “there are those who access education through academia, other through the fine arts, and yet others through sports”.

The Andrew Dixon Foundation Super Bowl Fundraiser will help to support and benefit kids locally and internationally to secure a better future.

Enter to win a trip to Jamaica at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa benefiting ADF

Place: Tilted Kilt
3155 E. Silver Springs Blvd
Ocala, Florida 34470

Date: February 5, 2012
Super Bowl Sunday Half Time

Donate: $5.00 (tickets can be purchased at tilted kilt)

Thwaites To Partner With Opposition On Education

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:55:00 UT

Minister of Education, the Hon Ronald Thwaites, congratulates students from Coronaldi Avenue Primary School in Montego Bay St. James after they has performed during his recent visit to the Montego Bay Regional Office of the Ministry of Education.

Minister of Education, the Hon Ronald Thwaites, says he will be partnering with his predecessor, Hon Andrew Holness, and Shadow Spokesperson on Education, Marissa Dalrymple Phillibert, to establish consensus on the way forward for Education.

Addressing members of staff of the Ministry’s Region 4 office in Montego Bay, during a tour of the facility, the Minister said that he is convinced that all wisdom in education does not emanate from the Ministry at National Heroes Circle, Kingston.

“I will be having breakfast with Mr. Holness next Wednesday, at my invitation, so that I can understand better some of his thinking and his ideals,” Mr. Thwaites said.

“I also want to include Mrs. Marissa Dalrymple Phillibert, the Shadow Spokesperson on Education, because you can be sure that we are going to try, as far as possible, to have a united consensus on the way forward in Education,” he added.

The Education Minister pointed out that it was important for the Ministry to lay a philosophical basis of renewal and encouragement, as all go forward in Education.

Addressing the fears of employees on the change of administration, the Minister said he will do everything to ensure that the jobs of those in the sector “who are serious and earnest and dedicated” are protected and enhanced.

“I am not interested in your political or religious persuasions… I am interested in your loyalty and your competence and your dedication,” he said.

Mr. Thwaites reiterated his call for the Ministry to begin to do better with available resources, and seek to ‘do it right the first time’, as greater emphasis and focus has to be placed on Early Childhood Education.

“I really feel that Early Childhood Education needs to be given a new standing in the educational matrix,” he said.

He stated that, to facilitate the best achievements at higher levels, the Ministry must do what must be done at the Early Childhood level.

The Minister said that continuous professional development was not an option, but an absolute necessity for everyone, and for every aspect of the education system.

Key Sectors Targeted To Drive Economic Growth

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:30:00 UT

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips (at podium), addresses Mayberry's Investment Forum, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston recently.

The key sectors to be targeted for the generation of significant growth of the Jamaican economy are: energy; tourism; information and communications technology (ICT); micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME); divestment of public assets through the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE); the revitalization of foreign direct investment inflows, improved business facilitation and the revamping the incentives regime.

This was stated by new Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, as he updated investors on his administration’s plans to facilitate greater economic growth, during a presentation to the recently held Mayberry Investment Forum in Kingston.

Speaking to the theme, “Jamaica’s next 50 years – opportunities and challenges we face as a nation”, the minister observed that Jamaica had achieved significant gains during the past 50 years, including a reputable democratic tradition and political maturity. He also cited “national institutions such as the Bank of Jamaica, the Planning Institute of Jamaica, a strong judiciary,”… and a “strong regulatory framework for the financial sector."

The Finance Minister emphasized that the challenge for the next 50 years is creating and sustaining a cohesive, safe, peaceful and prosperous society that “will successfully compete on a global scale while maintaining our unique identity.” CEO of Mayberry Investments, Gary Peart with the Minister of Finance Dr Peter Phillips at the Mayberry Investment Forum held at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Wednesday night. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)

Alluding to the modest growth that has characterized the economic performance of much of the past five decades, Dr Phillips reflected that there is one aspect of the nation building project that has not been successfully realized.

“That is the ability to provide sustained economic growth, to deliver on the expectations of the Jamaican people for meaningful jobs and a good quality of life,” he said.

He argued that to compensate for the “weak growth performance” there has been a build-up of unsustainable public debt.

“This debt has now become a drag on our ability to grow faster. The debt to GDP ratio of more than 212 per cent in 1984 was reduced to about 111 per cent in 2007. The ratio climbed to about 131 per cent of GDP by the end of March 2011. The stranglehold of the national debt is impeding the provision of funding for vital social services and necessary capital investments to support growth,” he opined.

Dr. Phillips also pointed to recent “breaches that contributed to the breakdown of trust between Jamaica and our international partners over the last year”.

The Minister of Finance is currently engaged in “preliminary” discussions with visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials, to arrive at an appropriate arrangement.

“The IMF Programme, which expires May 2012, has not been completed because various critical structural benchmarks and targets were delayed or missed. An entirely new programme now has to be negotiated and new targets set focusing on growing the economy. The failure to successfully complete the Stand-by Arrangement resulted in the non-disbursement of multilateral funding, including US$220 million from the IDB. We expect that progress on the IMF negotiations will help unlock these funds,” he stated.

He emphasized that the Government was determined to fix the problem in a “framework of national and international partnership.”

Dr Phillips further advised that, in the medium term, any programme going forward must involve comprehensive tax reforms, the reform of the public sector pension system, public sector transformation and a reduction in public sector costs.

The aim, he explained, is to arrive at macro-economic stability including low inflation and low interest rates.

“Let us recognise, however, that macro-economic stability is not an end in itself. There is stability now, partly because there is low demand for credit and foreign exchange due to the weakness in the economy. Banks are competing vigorously to lend and, in doing so, are lowering interest rates required to identify opportunities to generate increased revenues, which must be in the context of the promotion and inducement of growth in the Jamaican economy,” he stated.

The Minister advised that, if the Jamaican economy is to exhibit signs of meaningful growth then, it must bolster its international competitiveness in order to “drive export growth, investment and job creation.”

“Jamaica cannot be the “place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business’ if bureaucratic and other obstacles exist at every step of the way. Jamaica’s overall competitiveness has nosedived from 67th position in 2006 to 107th position in 2011, its worst performance ever and, in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ rating from 43rd in 2006 to 88th in 2010-2011. We are ranked 133rd out of 187 countries in terms of savings rate, 172nd in paying taxes and 103rd in registering property. There will be a coordinated campaign to remove bureaucratic red tape,” he disclosed.

The Minister underscored the point that the “active recruitment and coordination of investments by the State is an absolute priority.”

He observed that: “Faster growth can be triggered, fast-tracked and ensured by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows. We would also like to invite the private sector with capital to invest and propose ideas for investment to have discussions with us about how to move such investments forward. FDI must be targeted and deliberately coordinated. That was how we achieved the so-called ‘Spanish invasion’ in the tourism sector in 2007."

Dr. Phillips pointed to his administration’s “solid track record” in the area of tourism investments, which helped to put Jamaica at the top of small island states in investment promotion in the period prior to 2007.

With indications that additional new hotel investments, both local and foreign are “ready to come on stream”, he advised that linkages among various sectors of the economy would be strengthened.

“There now has to be an effective divestment programme for large blocks of state-owned land to ensure production of food for the growing hotel sector and for export. We will revitalize investment promotion to boost foreign direct inflows, growth and jobs,” the Minister declared.

Bad Friday: Rastafari After Coral Gardens Now Out On DVD

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:30:00 UT

Oxumgirl Productions proudly presents the official DVD release and European premiere of BAD FRIDAY: RASTAFARI AFTER CORAL GARDENS, a compelling documentary that chronicles the history of violence against Rastafarians in Jamaica.

Produced and directed by John Jackson, Jr. and Deborah Thomas, along with Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn and Junior “Ista J” Manning, BAD FRIDAY focuses on a community of Rastafarians in western Jamaica who annually commemorate the 1963 Coral Gardens incident, a moment just after the island’s independence, when the Jamaican government rounded up, jailed and tortured hundreds of Rastafarians. The feature-length documentary recounts the poignant history of violence in Jamaica through the eyes of its most iconic community and shows how people use their recollections of past traumas to imagine new possibilities for a collective future.

For the film, Jackson, Thomas, Wedderburn and Manning interviewed Rasta elders who experienced the Coral Gardens incident. They convey what happened during and after the violent confrontation – and how they envisioned, and still envision, justice. The 63-minute long documentary, which was shot on DV, mini-DV and HD, also features archival footage and historical photographs, placing the interviews within the context of a longer history of persecution of the Rastafari movement. Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn, former drummer at the Jamaican National Dance Company and master drummer of Broadway’s The Lion King, has crafted the original BAD FRIDAY soundtrack featuring 14 inspirational songs.

Businesses Urged To Deepen Participation In Efforts To Grow Economy

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:25:00 UT

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (left), discusses Jamaican made items on display with President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Brian Pengelley, at the media launch of Expo Jamaica 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel, in New Kingston, on January 24.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, is urging businesses to deepen participation in national growth efforts, in this the country’s 50th year of independence.

He also called on all sectors to be accountable to each other and the nation for their roles in growing the economy.

“Every sector has a responsibility to join in the efforts to move us towards growth and development. Participation, accountability and responsibility – these are the principles from our progressive agenda that we, as a new Government, has to emphasise. These are the principles we bring to the table as the philosophies that will guide our action,” Mr. Hylton said.

The Minister was addressing the media launch of Expo Jamaica 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel, in New Kingston, today (January 24).

The Minister cited the Prime Minister’s call for every business to make the effort to employ one additional qualified person in the short term.

“Such a move will have a ripple effect across this nation, that will redound to the benefit of our people, and ultimately to your business, and the quality of life for all Jamaicans. By employing one additional person, you will stimulate the demand for products and services,” Mr. Hylton argued.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that the Government was cognisant of the challenges facing both consumers and business operators. “We also know that despite the challenges, for many businesses, increasing employment opportunities for our people is not a new activity,” he said.

“I take the opportunity to salute the captains of industry for keeping thousands of Jamaicans employed and for creating new jobs. However in this moment, our jubilee year, we ask you to make a special effort in employment. Now is the time for every stakeholder who can, to make a special effort to do so…now is the time to recommit to solidifying our commitment to building this country,” Mr. Hylton said.

The Minister pointed out that in its unique way, Expo Jamaica 2012 demonstrates ways in which new jobs can be created, noting the input of artists, artisans, carpenters, designers, entertainers, labourers, among others, which represent Jamaicans at work.

“Each one of these represents a new job in the short term. We must also keep in mind the micro enterprises, the efforts of women and men who traditionally vend in the vicinity of the arena, and the taxi men and women who bring patrons to enjoy the activities…these too are important commercial activities, generated by the staging of events such as Expo 2012,” he said.

Scheduled for April 26-29 at the National Arena, in Kingston, the biennial expo, being held under the theme, ‘Jamaica to the World’, is jointly staged by the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), with major sponsorship of $3.5 million from telecommunications provider, LIME. Other sponsors include National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Public Service Company, GraceKennedy and Company Limited, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and Lithographic Printers.

Manager, Export Promotion at JAMPRO, Berletta Forrester, informed that already, some 85 buyers from 11 countries are registered, including regional countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, and others as far away as Hungary and in Africa. Twenty-three local buyers are also now registered, including purchasing teams from local hotels and attractions.

“If you purchase items for your organisation, whatever business you’re in, especially if you’re now buying from overseas, I urge you to look at what Jamaica has to offer and to start buying locally. This is how we are going to be able to grow our economy,” she urged.

International Launch Of Jamaican Certification & Collective Marks, January 24, 2012, New York

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:25:00 UT

WHAT: International Launch of Jamaican Certification & Collective Marks

WHEN: Tuesday January 24, 2012, 6:00-9:00pm

WHERE: The Consulate General of Jamaica, New York
767 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, NY 10017

HBO Latin America Presents Its New Channel, HBO Signature

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:15:02 UT

HBO Latin America enriches its premium television offering with the launch of a new HBO channel, HBO Signature. This new channel, which can only be enjoyed by those who subscribe to HBO's premium package, arrives to further enhance the originality and exclusivity of the brand's original programming by offering the market's most premium and acclaimed content.

HBO Signature will be the destination of the most award-winning material from pay-tv, and will reinforce the importance and excellence of the material produced exclusively by and for HBO. The new service, which will be available as of Feb. 1, will allow viewers to enjoy shows, miniseries, exclusive films made for TV and documentaries that have set milestones in the industry not only for their production value, but for the talent found both in front of and behind the camera.

As part of its programming schedule, HBO Signature will offer impactful and exclusive shows such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Entourage; successful miniseries such as Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Mildred Pierce; Premium television films such Too Big to Fail, Grey Gardens and You Don't Know Jack; and also documentaries, all with HBO's seal of exclusivity and vanguard.

"With this announcement, HBO continues demonstrating its commitment to the continent's premium television and its consumers and clients, by offering unique and stand-out content all consolidated into one channel, HBO Signature. These innovative productions are what define this one-of-a-kind television experience, adding value to HBO's Premium package," stated Gustavo Grossmann, the channel's vice-president and general manager.

HBO Signature will begin transmission in all of Latin America and Brazil as of Feb. 1.

St. Elizabeth Website To Promote Tourism

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:00 UT

Computer Services Team Leader at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Desmond Campbell (right), points out features of the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation’s new developed website (www.visitstelizabeth.com.jm), which was launched on Thursday (Jan. 19) at the Everglades Conference Centre in Parrottee. The website was developed by the JIS with grant funding from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). Looking on (from left are: Chairman of the Foundation, Donna Parchment-Brown; member of the project team, Cynthia Hill; Project Manager at JSIF, Stephannie Hutchinson-Ffrench; Custos of St. Elizabeth, Hon. Wilfred Nembhard; Director of the Telecommunication Policy and Management Programme at the Mona School of Business, Professor Hopeton Dunn; Chairman of the project team and immediate past Chairman of the Foundation, Dr. Patrick Dallas, and Corporate Services Director at the JIS, Errol Gardner.

The St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation has launched a website (www.visitstelizabeth.com.jm), to promote tourism in the parish, and expose other developmental activities to targeted audiences.

The website is being financed from a grant of $4.9 million provided by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), and a $2.58 million contribution from the community. It was launched on Wednesday (January 18).

Speaking at the launch at the Everglades Conference Centre, Parrotte, Chairman of the Foundation, Donna Parchment Brown, said that the site will focus on developmental issues. She said it is an initiative to market St. Elizabeth as an emerging tourist destination, and part of the thrust to develop community- based tourism, as well as a voice for the Parish Development Committee (PDC).

“It is intended to be a significant tool in the marketing effort already being undertaken to bring people into the parish. Marketing St. Elizabeth and its tourism product can only succeed with the collaboration and support of our stakeholders, primarily those concerned with parish development and tourism, and we are facilitators in this process,” she told the gathering.

Project Manager at JSIF, Stephanie Hutchinson-Ffrench, said her agency was satisfied that the project can allow persons, locally and internationally, to obtain information on tourism accommodation, culture, attractions, places of interest and industries.

“And the Foundation is expected to keep populating the website with new information,” she stated.

She said that JSIF is delighted with the investment, and believes that it can be a model for other parishes seeking to promote and market their community tourism products and services.

“We live in an internet age, and if we do not keep abreast and utilize the technology, we will be left behind. We will continue to monitor the project and provide assistance to the Foundation, as they seek to promote the Best of St. ‘Bess,” she told her audience.

The website was developed by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). Director of Corporate Services at the JIS, Errol Gardner, commended the Foundation, saying it has “evolved into an institution,”, and when a visitors go to the site, “if they are a first timer they would want to visit again” and if they are from overseas “they would want to come home."

He said that the objective is to use images to showcase assets and bring out the unique features and icons of St. Elizabeth.

“Special effort was made to present the information about the parish in a reader friendly form, such that it could be located without hassle, as many Jamaicans in the diaspora and beyond will be seeking this information,” Mr. Gardner outlined.

The website was funded under the JSIF Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which seeks to boost the capacity of rural communities to promote and market local enterprise and community-based tourism, as part of the agency’s poverty reduction strategy.