NEWS & NOTES: Japan makes $262M donation to boost Jamaica's fight against COVID-19...

>> The government of Japan, through its Economic and Social Development programme, has granted Jamaica funding of approximately $262 million to purchase equipment and supplies in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Says Foreign Affairs minister Kamina Johnson-Smith, “The supplies will, undoubtedly, make a sustainable positive impact on our public health infrastructure.” For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki, says his country remains committed to working with countries around the world in the fight against the disease. “The goal of the Government of Japan,” he says, “is to enable all the people in the world to enjoy greater opportunities afforded by a safe and secure environment.” 

>> Countless university-bound students will be relieved to hear that the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) is waiving all application and loan processing fees for the 2021 academic year. Making the announcement in the House, Finance minister Dr. Nigel Clarke said tertiary education must remain “affordable and accessible” to all Jamaicans. “It has never been more affordable to [receive] loans through the SLB,” he noted. “We want our students to be able to access and continue their education.” 

>> To allow residents the ease of purchasing locally sourced ground produce and at a “much more reasonable price” than at the markets, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be establishing food marts at strategic locations across the country. On Friday, June 26, residents in and around Lacovia in St. Elizabeth will have the opportunity to make their purchases at the mart being set up at the Lacovia Community Centre.

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