HEALTH BUDGET INCREASED, FERGUSON PLEASED—03/29/15
Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, is pleased with a $7 billion increase in his Ministry’s budget. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced the increase during a presentation at the House of Representatives. The Ministry will receive a total of $49.1 million for 2015/2016. This represents an increase of 17 percent over the previous year’s allocation.

HACKING CONTEST HOSTED BY TEEN CEO IN JAMAICA—04/01/15
Jadan Johnson, 16, is the CEO of Vybz Media Group, and he will be hosting the first Hacking Generation Y contest in Jamaica. Johnson started his firm when he was ten years old, shooting videos with a cell phone to display in his online stream. He has eight employees, and he has already achieved a diploma in business marketing from the Wharton School.

NEW JCTC SUB-FRANCHISE TERMS CRITICIZED BY TRANSPORTATION GROUP—04/02/15
Objections to new conditions imposed by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) on sub-franchise operators have drawn the fire of the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO). The president of JATOO, Louis Barton, notes that some operators are losing their current routes, while others are hearing that they may operate only five days per week. Operators have also seen hikes in the sub-franchise fees as a result of the newly imposed terms.

GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND MILLIONS ON E-PROCUREMENT—04/03/15
The government of Jamaica will spend $51 million to implement an electronic procurement system. The system is designed to enhance public procurement for purchasing and providing for agencies and supplies. The system will automate such activities and integrate them into a single portal.