Access to Jamaican business information improved in 2009

Author: Kadian Brown
Title: Priority on Strengthening MSME Sector
Source: JIS Bulletin Board 2009 Year in Review
Date Published: January 11, 2010
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/BulletinBoard/Bulletin-Jan-11-2010.pdf

Abstract:
This article looks back at some of the initiatives taken by the Jamaican government's Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce in 2009 to strengthen the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector, entrepreneurship, investment and commerce.

In particular, two of these initiatives involved establishing information centres throughout the island to provide better access to business information. These were the estbalishment of Export Centres/Business Information Points (ECBIP) and Jamaica
Business Information Centres (JAMBIC).

Excerpt:

The Ministry through the designated agencies, launched Export Centres/ Business Information Points (ECBIP) throughout the island. A partnership involving
the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), this project aims to positively impact national export performance and competitiveness, while providing
standardised business information.


To further boost business development and entrepreneurship, the JBDC opened Jamaica
Business Information Centres (JAMBIC) at the Small Business Association of
Jamaica (SBAJ) in Kingston; Northern Caribbean University in Manchester; Royal Mall in Port Antonio, Portland; and St. Ann Chamber of Commerce in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

Promised Jamaican Youth Information Centre Delayed

Author: CHARLES BROWN
Title: St Thomas youth still waiting (Letter to the Editor)
Date Published: Friday | December 18, 2009
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091218/letters/letters2.html

Abstract:
Article reveals a citizens remarks on the delay in the establishment of a youth information centre in their parish. The citizen/author publicly reminds the Editor and the authorities of some of the facts reported regarding the establishment of the youth centre.


Excerpt:

"On Saturday, March 23, 2008, this newspaper published an article titled 'Youth information centre for St Thomas by year-end'.

Dania Beckford, youth infor-mation specialist at the National Centre for Youth Development, was responding to a letter by Charlie Brown published on May 19, 2008, titled 'St Thomas youth need help'. The information specialist stated that the parish of St Thomas was next to benefit from this imperative resource (a youth information centre) for youth development.

She further stated that, to date, two locations had been identified to host the youth information centre: one at the now-closed Goodyear tyre factory, and the other on land adjoining the Social Development Commission's office, both located on the Springfield main road. Site visits had been conducted and proper protocol arrangements are already under way to formalise the agreement to set up a well-designed reconfiguration of four containers in the allocated space of approximately 467 square metres at the latter location. The project is funded by UNICEF and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009 calendar year."

US Embassy gives to a Jamaican School Library

Title: US Embassy gives Mona High Library a boost
Source: Jamaica Observer's Teenage
Date Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20091012T200000-0500_161659_OBS_US_EMBASSY_GIVES_MONA_HIGH_LIBRARY_A_BOOST.asp

Abstract:
This article reports on donations that the United States Embassy in Kingston made to a Jamaican high school. Included in the reported are some examples of the resources that were donated.

The article also reports on the embassy's Information Resource Centre (IRC) and the type of serivces and information it provides.


Excerpt:

The US Embassy in Kingston gave the Mona High School a boost last Wednesday, when the embassy presented the school with a brand new desktop computer and laser printer, as well as over 120 books.

The gifts earmarked for the school's library, includes titles from the Scholastic Secondary Ambassador collection among other books.

Jamaica to establish Parent Information Centres

Title: Education Ministry Partnering with JLS in Parenting Initiative
Source: Jamaica Information Service (KINGSTON)
Date Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/education/html/20090825T180000-0500_20900_JIS_EDUCATION_MINISTRY_PARTNERING_WITH_JLS_IN_PARENTING_INITIATIVE.asp

Abstract:
The article reports on the plans of the Ministry of Education to work with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), in establishing parent information centres in the parish libraries all over the island.

According to the spokesperson, Senior Adviser/Consultant to the Minister of Education, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, these parenting information network/satellite information centres will collate parenting material locally, and international in the parish libraries. These materials will be linked and accessible via Internet accessible electronic databases as well as a hard copy database. The librarians will be trained in locating these materials in order to assist parents in finding the materials they need.

Dr. Tortello was speaking in an interview with JIS News and explained the initiative would also seek to find out what materials are available in Jamaica that are effective in training parents at different socio-economic levels, so as to effectively disseminate the message of effective parenting. The vision is that the initiative will include parenting materials not only in print, but in videos and DVDs, spreading the effective parenting messages in more than one ways including film, television, the sides of buses, and on cell phones.

Excerpt:

The Ministry of Education is working in conjunction with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), to establish a number of satellite centres on parenting in the parish libraries islandwide.

This was announced by Senior Adviser/Consultant to the Minister of Education, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, in an interview with JIS News on August 24.

"The Library Service is going to work with us to create information network/satellite information centres on parenting, so that we will gather parenting material locally, and international best practices. The parish libraries are linked and they have internet access, so we can have an electronic database as well as a hardcopy database and the librarians will be trained to know where the material is, so parents can come in and find material if they need it," she informed.

Another Export and Business Information Centre Opened in Jamaica

Title: JAMBIC/Export and Business Information Centre Opened in Ocho Rios
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Ocho Rios
Date Published: Sunday, July 19, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/commerce_science/html/20090719T200000-0500_20472_JIS_JAMBIC_EXPORT_AND_BUSINESS_INFORMATION_CENTRE_OPENED_IN_OCHO_RIOS.asp

Excerpt from Source:
The new Ocho Rios JAMBIC/Export Centre and Business Information Point (ECBIP) seeks to provide e-business services, Internet access to web-enabled Government services, market information and distance learning opportunities, among other services. It is a collaborative effort of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation’s, The Source.

The launch of the Centre has now increased the number of JAMBIC/ECBIP Centres established across the island to 11.

Abstract:
Article discloses information about the location of a newly opened business information centre established to support Jamaican entrepreneurs and businesses in the parish of St. Ann. Information is provided about the services being offered by the centre as well as the organisations behind the establishment of the centre.

Jamaican Youths satisfied with New Youth Information Centre

Author: Gardner, Claudia
Title: New youth centre turns heads
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090516/lead/lead3.html



Abstract:

The article covers the reaction of several students to the opening of the National Centre for Youth Development's (NCYD) Youth Information Centre (YIC)at Humber Avenue in Montego Bay, St. James. The services and the facilities of the YIC are higlighted, which include "a cyber-café with free Internet access; a resource area and a conference room for meetings; counselling and referral services; empowerment sessions; career development and training opportunities". The purpose for the centres are also discussed. Chief among the mission of the YIC is to "allow youth to be comfortable, discussing and accessing information on issues concerning them - from safe sex to HIV/AIDS to employment and personal advancement." Further mention is also made about the Government's plan to ensure that YICs are operational in all parishes within the next three years. The Government's vision for these YICs is to "facilitate the empowerment of young people through the provision of information in a non-judgmental and friendly environment".

Excerpt:

Shabelle Johnson, a 14-year-old student of St James High School, told The Gleaner she spent her after-school hours at the centre following the shift-system school's dismissal at 12:15 p.m.

"My friends told me about it and I have been visiting for several weeks now. I like the quietness here. I also get to print assignments free of cost," she said.

"I prefer to visit here than going to the school or the parish library because students tend to fuss and sometimes I don't get through with the assignment because we only get a short amount of time on the computers."

JTI Reports Marked Success with Export Centre/Business Information Point Project

Title: JTI Reports Marked Success with Export Centre/Business Information Point Project
Source: KINGSTON (JIS)- Jamaica Information Service
Date Friday, February 06, 2009


URL: http://jis.gov.jm/commerce_science/html/20090206T090000-0500_18330_JIS_JTI_REPORTS_MARKED_SUCCESS_WITH_EXPORT_CENTRE_BUSINESS_INFORMATION_POINT_PROJECT.asp

Abstract:

Details are given about the Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) Export Centre/Business Information Point (EC/BIP)project. This is a project set up to serve Small and Medium Enterprises in Jamaica. Business Facilitation Manager at the JTI, Marlene Porter, provides an evaluation of the project, its implementation, successes and the activities surrounding its implementation. Also revealed in Porter's comments, is the purpose of the project and the aspirations of the impact it will have on the target group (SMEs).

Export and Business Information Centre comes to Westmoreland

Title: Westmoreland Gets Export/Business Information Centre
Source: MONTEGO BAY (JIS):
Date: Monday, February 09, 2009

URL: http://jis.gov.jm/commerce_science/html/20090209T090000-0500_18377_JIS_WESTMORELAND_GETS_EXPORT_BUSINESS_INFORMATION_CENTRE.asp

Abstract:

Report on the launch or opening of an export and business information centre for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Jamaica. The opening took place at the Savanna-La-Mar Civic Centre on Great George Street. It was conducted by Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), in partnership with the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce. The hopes, mission, objectives and expectations about how the centre will serve the SME sector in Westmoreland are expressed by President of the JTI, Robert Gregory.