Where art thou Jamaica thread?

[lmcm1990]

i asked because the majority of the commonwealths (not canada, new zealand, australia, and sorta south africa) have low per capitas. sometimes ppp works (mostly for developing countries) and other times it doesn't (especially highly developed countries).

Duper: Jamaica sounds like a cool vacation spot. oh and nice signature .

[dante2308]

Sorry I edited my post. Just letting you guys know.

[dante2308]

Jamaicans yesterday stepped up preparations in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the first major storm of the 2006 hurricane season to threaten the island.

Last night, a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remained in effect for Jamaica, as Ernesto, which up to press time was still a tropical storm, was expected to strengthen to hurricane status as it approaches the island.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions, particularly heavy rains, are to be expected, and a hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions, including strong wind gusts, heavy rains and the possibility of flooding, should be expected.

According to the National Meteorological Service, at 7:00 last night Ernesto was located about 440 km east-southeast of Morant Point, packing winds of near 95 kph (60 mph) and moving towards the west-northwest at a speed of near 22 kph (14 mph). The storm is projected to pass slightly to the north of the island, between Jamaica and Haiti, dumping between 4 and 8 inches - but possibly as many as 12 inches - of rain on Jamaica.

"Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 150 km (90 miles) from the centre, and satellite imagery indicates that spiral bands associated with the system now extend as far as 400 km (250 miles) from the centre. Residents should, therefore, expect storm-force winds to spread over the island, along with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, beginning on Sunday morning. Extensive flash flooding, landslides and above normal tide levels are likely," said a release issued by the Met Office.

Yesterday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) advised the public to take the usual hurricane precautions, including battening down zinc sheets on roofs, trimming trees and securing loose objects and preparing emergency kits containing tinned food, batteries, water, radios and flashlights. Residents of low-lying coastal areas and flood-prone areas were also advised to be ready to evacuate, and according to Ronald Jackson, acting director of the ODPEM, shelters across the island are currently open and will remain open and accepting residents.

At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller assured the nation that should the storm hit, the security forces were on "full alert" to deal with potential issues. She warned residents of low-lying areas to take advantage of shelters, and advised that JUTC buses would be deployed to assist residents in their evacuations. Also, the prime minister noted, more than $3 million was allocated for emergency flood mitigation.

[lmcm1990]

I hope that very litte damage happens (it's imposible to not have some damage during a hurricane- been through like 30 since 1998 in miami).

[dante2308]

published: Tuesday | August 29, 2006

Ross Sheil and Robert Lalah, Staff Reporters

The Meteorological Service yesterday maintained its flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of eastern and central parishes until 5:00 this morning, despite there being no reports of widespread flooding, as 'Ernesto' and its associated weather conditions leave Jamaica.

In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin yesterday, the Met Service had warned residents to be prepared and listen out for further bulletins with occasionally heavy showers and thunderstorms expected overnight. Improvement in the weather is expected tomorrow as Ernesto drifts further away.

One dead in Haiti

On Sunday Ernesto left one person dead in Haiti, but at 4:00 p.m. yesterday the United States National Hurricane Center reported that it had slowed over eastern Cuba to 40 miles per hour (75 kilometres/hour), down from hurricane strength at 75 mph (124 km/h) on Sunday. However, Ernesto could return to hurricane strength when it makes landfall in Florida later today, where authorities are making preparations for a Category Two hurricane.

However, with Ernesto now forecast to miss oil rigs and platforms in the U.S. Gulf, oil prices yesterday dropped US$1.90 a barrel.

The Met Service had reported light-to-moderate rain in its 10:00 a.m. bulletin and at times heavy showers in the east and central parishes yesterday morning. But by the afternoon there were no reported cases of flooding in St. Thomas and Portland.

From early yesterday, rains associated with Ernesto had doused Kingston, quickly flooding roadways downtown, in particular the Parade area, which has suffered from blocked drains.

[dante2308]

Global Research Center Helps Wireless ISP Penetrate Jamaica with Low-Cost, High Availability Internet Services


Global Research Center, a third party research group, is conducting a Jamaican Wireless Feasibility survey on behalf of a wireless Internet services provider (ISP) planning to penetrate Jamaica with low cost, reliable wireless Internet services.

The feasibility survey is being conducted to collect information that will enable the ISP to serve the exact needs of Jamaican businesses, schools and individual end-users.

“Jamaicans currently find accessing the Internet difficult for two main reasons,” said Julie Meyer at Global Research Center, “It is very costly and it is not widely available due to geographical restrictions and cost of laying cable.”

The wireless Internet service proposed by Global Research Center’s client will not only be available at a fraction of the cost of current Internet services, but will be accessible throughout Jamaica regardless of the island’s geography and mountainous terrain.

[lmcm1990]

good news for jamaicans... personally, i don't know how i can live without internet now that i know it exists luckily, jamaica got very little from ernesto.

[dante2308]

Jamaica's internet penetration is around 36% as of last year. I cant get current information, but its probably around 45-50 by now considering the penetration was 25% two years ago. Most of the problem is the terrain. This would make the country the first with a nation-wide wireless service.

[lmcm1990]

wow. here in colombia there's wireless service for 2 cities over a million (bucaramanga and cali) and the other 5 will soon get it. it's actually free if you have a phone contract with comcel (biggest colombian telecomunications company).

what kind of wireless service is used in jamaica??? wimax or wifi??? here it was wifi but was upgraded to wimax. by the way, bucaramanga was the first city in Latin America in getting (Free) Wireless Internet Service (it's been a few years now).

[dante2308]

I'll need to ask some contacts, I'm not sure of all the technical details and there isn't much fanfare about it. Basically you hear about it on the news one day and no one really makes a website for it until everything is up and running.

[lmcm1990]

yeah. samething happened here. everyone thought it was a rumor until the system was up and runnig.

[dante2308]

Cabinet approves project to extend runway at Norman Manley International
Observer Reporter
Saturday, September 02, 2006

CABINET has approved a submission from the Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works for an extension of the runway at the Norman Manley International Airport by some 300 metres.

The extension project is slated to cost US$10 million and will be financed under a capital development programme funded by the European Investment Bank.

Minister of Information and Development Senator Colin Campbell told Monday's post-Cabinet press briefing that on completion the runway would meet new standards "declared by the International Civil Aviation Organisation".

The standards should come into effect in 2008.
Responding to concerns raised about the probable environmental hazard of the project, which will extend to the Kingston Harbour, Campbell noted that an environmental impact assessment would be done.

"There have been consultations already between the Airports Authority and the Port Authority of Jamaica in relation to the whole use of that particular piece of the water and the whole operations of Kingston Harbour," the minister said.

[lmcm1990]

how long will it be now with the new 300 mts???

[dante2308]

According to their site, the runway is currently 2,713m long.

[lmcm1990]

so that would make it 3,013 mts long... pretty long considering that the world's longest runways are bogota's 2 el dorado runways which are 3,800 mts long.

[Nicodemo]

This thread is amazing.

Jamaica is wonderful...so so so wonderful

Congratulations.

[dante2308]

Chinese Ambassador wants deal on railway, telemedicine network before he leaves


"From left, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu and wife MmeWang Xiaoju join Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in a toast. Also sharing in the moment is the prime minister's husband Errald Miller."

Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Zhao Zhenyu has expressed satisfaction with his three-year stint in Jamaica, which will end in mid-November.

But what would make him even more happy is for Jamaica and China to sign off on a deal to get the trains rolling in Jamaica again.

Speaking at a joint function to mark the 57th National Day of the People's Republic of China and farewell reception at the Hilton Kingston Hotel on Tuesday night, the ambassador said China's relations with Jamaica had maintained a good momentum of all-round development, enhanced by political mutual trust, fruitful trade and economic co-operation and close co-operation on international affairs.

Where co-operative projects between the two countries were concerned, Ambassador Zhenyu said he would be giving a final push to the plans to rehabilitate the Jamaican railway system and the construction of the Jamaican telemedicine network.

In the meantime, he said the State Oceanic Administration of China had agreed to provide assistance to Jamaica's marine science endeavours which will include accepting Jamaican scientists to do research work aboard the Chinese ocean research vessel Dayang Yihao shortly.

The ambassador also conveyed satisfaction with the newly established Jamaican embassy in Beijing and the embassy in Kingston, which he said had been complementing each other as a "working pair".

Commenting on the economic and trade co-operation between the two countries, Ambassador Zhenyu noted that China had become Jamaica's fourth largest trading partner, with Jamaica continuing to be the republic's largest trading partner in the English-speaking Caribbean. He quoted statistics which showed that for 2005, trade volume between the two countries stood at US$325 million. Meanwhile, in the first seven months of this year the trade volume hit US$299.59 million, a 36.1 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Several dignitaries were in attendance including Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and husband Errald Miller, former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and wife Lady Ivy Cooke, President of the Senate Syringa Marshall Burnett, Speaker of the House of Representatives Michael Peart, several senators and members of the House as well as members of the diplomatic and consular corps and leaders of the Chinese community.

[dante2308]

ADDRESS BY THE MOST HON. PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER, PRIME MINISTER AT THE SIGNING OF THE HARMONY COVE AGREEMENT, TRELAWNY

Friday, September 29, 2006

It is noteworthy that just one day after observing World Tourism Day, we are here to witness the signing of an agreement which will result in one of the largest and most ambitious tourism projects ever initiated by the Government of Jamaica.

This US$2 billion Harmony Cove development will have a most significant and far-reaching impact on the tourism landscape of Jamaica with positive spin-offs for the industry and wider community.

Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, the growth we are currently experiencing in the tourism sector has not come about by chance or luck. And having been there myself, as a Former Tourism Minister, I want to express my gratitude to those who have weathered the storm to make such accomplishments a reality.

It is interesting that while in the past, the complaint was that we did not have enough hotel rooms, now that we are building and real investment is taking place and investors are coming, we now hear another complaint that we are building too many hotels in the country.

We are not going to stop development in Jamaica, which is for the benefit of the Jamaican people and the greater good of our country.

I want to commend our Jamaican hoteliers - all of them, big, medium and small, and those in the hospitality industry who have kept this industry going through some difficult periods. Today's signing of the Harmony Cove project forms part of our overall strategic vision to re-position Jamaica's tourism industry and continue its development.

This project will not only contribute to transforming the industry but will deepen the value-added contribution of the sector to the Jamaican economy and society.

The Harmony Cove development flows from the vision of the Tourism Master Plan and will be the most exclusive resort and residential development know to any Caribbean destination. It offers the finest resort accommodations, an array of residential villas, golf courses and a range of amenities.

The project will add some 5,000 rooms to the country's present hotel stock.

Mr. Chairman, this project is a significant one for Jamaica's tourism and offers economic development prospects in several areas.

First, it will result in significant short, medium and long-term job opportunities which are critical in a labour-surplus economy like ours, where we need to put more people to work.

Some 10,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase and as many as 15,000 permanent jobs when the project is completed and operational. It is the kind of employment which flows from big projects, which is another of the criticisms we hear from time to time that the government is too focused on large hotel development.

Let me walk you through the wisdom of having a big vision for a big country, even if it is a small space that we occupy.

The employment possibilities which will be generated by this project from the very day construction starts will make a big difference in the lives of people at all levels - from the man selling porridge for breakfast to the carpenters and masons on the construction site, to the local hardware retailer, the security firm, not to mention the hundreds of skilled labourers actually working on the site.

The job opportunities are not confined to the building and construction phase. One completed and in the operations phase, there will be employment opportunities for workers and professionals at all levels within the industry - administrative staff and managers, entertainers, taxi drivers, craft vendors and artisans, and more.

All of this will convert to a better quality of life for our people. The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, at all levels of the local community, the Harmony Cove project will provide a boon of related and well needed economic activities especially to the parishes of Trelawny, St Ann and St James.

One of the areas of emphasis of this government is the decentralization of development as one of the ways of stemming the rural-urban drift with its disastrous consequences. We must create increased opportunities for people in rural communities so that there is no necessity for them to feel the need to migrate to urban areas.

A project such as this will create a virtuous circle of tangible opportunities which can only redound to the benefit of Jamaica.

In addition to the direct spin-offs, there will enormous opportunities for linkages with other sectors such as our attractions, agriculture and food-processing, manufacturing and others.

In fact, along with the soon to be completed Greenfield stadium, and after World Cup Cricket 2007, Harmony Cove could well serve as a unique avenue for us to fully exploit the growing and very attractive sports tourism market.

These developments will also be instrumental in stimulating the re-development efforts for the great, historical town centre of Falmouth. It was no accident that the town of Falmouth was the major Labour Day Project this year, as clearly, there are opportunities which as a country we need to grasp.

It is for these reasons that the Government is right now involved in the planning stage for the development of the Wharf Project in Falmouth. The acquisition and redevelopment of the wharves to the eastern side of the town will act as a catalyst in this re-development effort. In this project, we will marry our history and culture with a strong tourism product.

The Wharf Project Site covers over 7 acres, which when developed will consist of a theatre; a museum; restaurants, bars and retail establishments.

The museum will commemorate the Jamaican experience with special emphasis on the period of slavery and in which will be a special monument and memorial to mark the bi-centenary of the abolition of the slave trade.

The theatre will house a Jamaica Music Revue, whose attraction, you can imagine, will be enormous and phenomenal.

The revue will showcase the island's rich heritage in music and dance as well as trace the fascinating evolution of Jamaica's music from its earliest beginnings to the present day.

Mr. Chairman, taken as a whole, this Harmony Cove project and the related developments will be one of far-reaching significance to Jamaica.

The Government is pleased to be partnering with the Tavistock Group - a private sector entity, which will undertake the design, financing, construction and operation of this most exciting venture. Yours is an act of confidence in Jamaica.

I invite Jamaicans at home and those in the Diaspora to take advantage of this investment opportunity.

I would like to commend all the parties for the hard work done in bringing us to this stage.

I am pleased to say that all the relevant agencies of Government, including the environment agency, have been engaged in the process and their involvement will continue during the course of the roll-out of the project.

On the matter of the environment, let me make it absolutely clear that the strictest standards will be adhered to in order to protect the environment.

Wide consultation with the Trelawny community must continue to ensure that there will, indeed, be harmony in the Harmony Cove development. We must ensure that the parish of Trelawny and surrounding communities benefit as fully as possible from this far-reaching development at Harmony Cove.

Mr. Chairman, the unprecedented levels of investments in our tourism industry and the deepening of the industry are setting the stage for even more extraordinary developments and growth in the future.

Already, the country has been making noteworthy progress. We are now enjoying an 18% increase in visitor arrivals over 2005, with a record 1.2 million visitors over the first eight months of this year. At the end of August, we had earned US$1.3 billion from the sector.

Cruise ship arrivals have also turned in record performance this year as between January and July we welcomed 772,709 cruise ship visitors, a 13.4% increase over the corresponding period.

The Government is ensuring that we maximize not just the foreign exchange and employment potential of the sector but that we deepen its linkages throughout the economy.

There is tremendous potential, for import-substitution, for example, in the area of furniture. I have already instructed the Minster responsible for Industry to work with the furniture manufacturers to develop a plan to resuscitate the local industry.

We must ensure that the hotel sector purchase more quality products from our own local furniture industry.

And so Mr. Chairman, I am truly pleased to be able to witness today's signing which represents so much hope for the people of Trelawny and surrounding communities, and indeed, all Jamaica.

The Government is committed to the success of this project and with the partners we have in the Tavistock Group, I have every confidence that Jamaica will reap rich rewards from this project.

I thank you.

[dante2308]

The statistical period just ended so some articles have been circling around on the state of Jamaica's economy and the plans for the short term. Some of them show positive trends, some mixed messages, but overall, Jamaica is improving rather well. I'll post these so nationals and people who are interested can see some of the articles without having to look them up.

Exports up 39 Per Cent
KINGSTON(JIS)
Thursday, September 28, 2006

President of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA), Dr. Andre Gordon, has reported a 39 per cent growth in exports for the period January to May 2006, with earnings moving from approximately $641,361,000 to $827,000,000.

Giving a breakdown of the sector's performance, Dr. Gordon said that food export "has recovered nicely and is up. Beverage export, which is a major growing segment of the food business, has increased significantly at over 39 per cent".

He indicated further that crude materials, which include bauxite, alumina and other exports, have also increased. "Fuel and minerals have shown the most dramatic increase of all areas, and this is largely due to the efforts of Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and their ethanol subsidiary".

Dr. Gordon, who was speaking at a press briefing held yesterday (Sept. 26) at the Hotel Four Seasons, said that the creditable export performance since the start of the year, was in keeping with double digit growth in the sector over the last several years.

He noted that "total traditional exports have been increasing for the last four years but last year, we saw a reduction in the rate of increase because of the challenges that we had". He said however, that there has been "significant recovery in traditional exports, many of which are agricultural in nature," while "we continue to see rapid growth in non traditional areas".

In the meantime, Dr. Gordon announced that the JEA would be employing strategies to sustain the growth in exports. "This includes making sure we build sustainable competitiveness into our products and services," he stated.

He pointed to plans to build a national brand platform, which would include small and medium size firms that are in the export market and were facing challenges in intellectual property protection in various markets.

"There is a detailed programme that will be rolled out in the next couple of years so as to help firms in this regard, so that they can expand their markets without fear of losing business to fraudulent competitors," said Dr. Gordon.

Jamaicans Enjoy Improved Standard of Living
NEW YORK (JIS)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Jamaicans are better off that they were 15 years ago, with poverty having declined over the period, which has helped to improve living standards.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn, in his address at the recent High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, cited statistics to show that poverty in Jamaica had declined from 28.4 per cent in 1990 to 14.8 per cent in 2005.

In addition to policies instituted by the government to reduce poverty, Senator Franklyn told the gathering of delegates from UN member states, that the improved living standards could be credited to the increased inflows of remittances from nationals living in the Diaspora.

Remittances, he said, accounted for some 16 per cent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
"One of the positive spin-offs of migration is the increase in receipts from remittances, moving from under US$100 million in 1990 to US$1.65 billion in 2005," Senator Franklyn informed.

He noted however, that even with the increased inflows to the country, which have helped to reduce poverty, "remittances should in no way be seen as a reward for the migration of trained professionals" from Jamaica.

[dante2308]

Jamaica Wins Match at New Trelawny Stadium
OCHO RIOS (JIS)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Despite the inclement weather, hundreds of cricket fans turned out at the new Trelawny multi-purpose stadium on Saturday, September 30, to see a Jamaica select team beat a US Invitational XI by 36 runs, winning the Air Jamaica Cup.

The match was played at the new stadium to see how ready the facilities are for Cricket World Cup 2007.

Captain of the Jamaica team, Tamar Lambert said that the members of the team played very well and that he was happy for the achievement.

"The Jamaica team played very good cricket. What we would like to improve on is getting singles in limited overs cricket," he said, noting that the latter part of the game saw the members showing a level of improvement and that made him proud.

"It is a very young team and we just want to continue improving as we go along. I know what this team can do. I believe in them and they believe in me also," he said.

David Bernard Jr. was voted 'Man of the Match' at the event. He was presented with a plaque and two first class tickets, courtesy of Air Jamaica.

"I can't complain. I've been out for a while with injury. This is my first match for Jamaica after three months and I enjoyed the game very much," he said.

Meanwhile, Manager of the US invitational XI, Robert Laing said that the team would be coming back for a re-match some time in the future. He commended the Jamaicans on their victory and wished them success in future competitions.

"We appreciate the hospitality. It was a warm welcome and we are looking forward to be back soon to play another game here in Jamaica and have a good time," he said.