Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINGSTON1789
2006-09-11 19:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
SECRETARY'S INITIATIVE ON GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM: JAMAICA
how-toVZCZCXRO7349 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHKG #1789/01 2541955 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 111955Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3563 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 001789
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BUDDEN),EB/CIP/BA (FETCHKO)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS EINT EAID PHUM JM
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S INITIATIVE ON GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM: JAMAICA
RESPONSE
REF: STATE 142147
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 001789
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BUDDEN),EB/CIP/BA (FETCHKO)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS EINT EAID PHUM JM
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S INITIATIVE ON GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM: JAMAICA
RESPONSE
REF: STATE 142147
1. This cable responds to reftel request. Responses are keyed to
template provided.
--------------
Context
--------------
2. USAID/Jamaica Economic Growth Strategic Objective Program for
FY2005 through FY2009: Under USAID/Jamaica's FY2005 to FY2009
strategy of "Increased Trade Competitiveness in Targeted
Industries", its economic growth program aims to improve the
capacity of targeted industry clusters and firms to contribute to
economic growth and job creation and to benefit from trade and
investment opportunities. The program focuses on strengthening
industry clusters and firms in tourism, agriculture, and
entertainment and culture, each of which have been identified by the
Government of Jamaica and the local private sector in the National
Industrial Policy as the industry sectors that present the greatest
opportunities for Jamaica to be competitive. USAID/Jamaica's
assistance also includes the provision of limited technical
assistance to improve the environment for doing business by reducing
impediments to business growth and investment.
3. The following projects were identified:
A. Project Name: Tourism industry cluster website upgrade to
facilitate increased sales for small and medium-sized hotels and
attractions.
Recipients: Unique Jamaica, a network of Jamaica Tourism Cluster
Members, comprising hoteliers, restaurants, and tour operators.
Project Description: Increasing Competitiveness in Tourism and
Improving the Business Environment for Developing the Small, Medium
and Micro Enterprise Sectors. Upgrading of the tourism industry
cluster's website to facilitate on-line bookings for small and
medium-sized hotels and attractions, in an effort to increase sales
for small and medium-sized tourism industry enterprises and to
expand the tourism market beyond the large, all-inclusive hotel
chains.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth; Program that
expands public access to ICT; and website development.
FY 05 Funding: USD 12,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
B. Project Name: Development and Investment Manual Development
Recipients: The Office of the Prime Minister/Cabinet Office,
Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
Project Description: Increasing Trade Competitiveness and Improving
the Environment for Doing Business in Jamaica. The production of an
on-line Development and Investment Manual that will be accessible
via the Internet and will serve as a guide for any type of
development/investment project in Jamaica, whether by local or
foreign investors. Having been identified as a key constraint to
doing business in Jamaica by the private sector and the Government
of Jamaica, the availability of this manual will improve the
business climate and facilitate investment and development.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth, E-government and
Program that expands public access to ICT.
FY 05 Funding: USD 0
FY 06 Funding: USD 200,000 or more, depending upon final
assessment
C. Project Name: Improving the Jamaican Business Visa Process.
Recipients: Ministry of National Security (Immigration Department),
the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Customs Department, Government of
Jamaica and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
Project Description: Increasing Trade Competitiveness and Improving
the Environment for Doing Business in Jamaica. Work with recipients
to remove a major impediment to doing business, by improving the
Jamaican business visa process, including clarifying the proper
procedures for business class visitor entry into Jamaica,
streamlining policies and regulations, training Immigration Officers
in immigration procedures for facilitating business entry into
Jamaica, conducting public outreach sessions, producing brochures to
be disseminated among the Ministries, Foreign Consulates,
KINGSTON 00001789 002 OF 003
Immigration Officers, and the Jamaican business community, and
publishing the brochure and related procedures on-line.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth, E-government and
Program that expands public access to ICT.
FY 05 Funding: USD 13,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
D. Project Name: Entertainment and Culture industry cluster website
development to facilitate increased income-generating opportunities
for local studios and musicians which/who must compete with larger
studios from around the world.
Recipients: "JamaicaSignatureBeats", a network of experienced
technical and creative music professionals, including studio
operators, musicians and record producers.
Project Description: Increasing Competitiveness in Tourism and
Entertainment and Culture and Improving the Business Environment for
Developing the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise Sectors. The
development of a website for the entertainment industry cluster to
facilitate on-line bookings of small, independent music studios and
local musicians, in an effort to increase income-generating
opportunities for local studios and musicians who must compete with
larger studios from around the world.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth; Program that
expands public access to ICT, and website development.
FY 05 Funding: USD 12,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
E. Project Name: Community Development Project Fund.
Recipients: Non-Government Organizations and Community Based
Organizations:
-- Hampton Court Community Center
-- Stony Hill Primary and Junior High
-- SIMBA Education
-- Church Action Negril
-- Point Hill Reading
-- Goldsmith Villa Development Center
Project Description: Provide limited grants for community-based
self-help activities initiated by private sector and
non-governmental organizations.
IT Component: Provision of 43 computers to 6 community groups
FY 05 Funding: USD 160,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
F. Project Name: Expanding Educational Horizons
Recipient: Ministry of Education and Youth, at-risk youth in twelve
NGOs, and students and teachers in 71 primary schools
Project Description: Expanding Educational Horizons (EEH) is
USAID/Jamaica's five year (2005-2009) education project in
collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth to help
improve primary education across Jamaica by promoting child-centered
strategies.
The education project builds upon the previous USAID project, New
Horizons for Primary Schools Project (NHP),which helped improved
the quality of basic education in 71 schools. Expanding Educational
Horizons will continue to work with the 71 former NHP schools,
graduating those which have achieved a specific level of proficiency
next year before selecting new schools to participate in the
project. The EEH also provides remedial education and life skills
training to at-risk youth in twelve NGOs.
IT Component: Technology is being used by the project schools and
NGOs for: enhancing curriculum; teaching and learning; and managing
of the education system at central, regional, school, and classroom
levels.
FY 05 Funding: USD 0
FY 06 Funding: USD 345,000
G. Project Name: Caribbean Center For Excellence in Teacher
Training.
Recipient: Joint Board for Teacher Education, University of the West
Indies (schools in twelve English speaking Caribbean countries).
Project Description: Caribbean Center for Excellence in Teacher
Training (C-CETT),is a Presidential Initiative established in 2001.
C-CETT provides innovative leadership to strengthen reading
KINGSTON 00001789 003 OF 003
instruction and increase the reading skills of primary school
students throughout the English-speaking Caribbean.
IT component: Information Communication Technology (ICT) is one of
the key components of the program. This investment has expanded
teachers' access to ICT, enabled our implementing partners to train
school administrators and classroom teachers to use the technology
and to equip participating primary schools with computers. Results
achieve to date include the establishment of a Wireless-Wide Area
Network (W-WAN),linking participating primary schools, teacher
training colleges and the University of the West Indies facilitating
live broadcast of trainings, the archival of innovative materials
and greater collaboration and sharing of information between and
within countries. The C-CETT has also provided schools with a
web-based Management Information System to assist schools in
treating a wide range of administrative issues and to track and
monitor students' progress in reading. C-CETT has designed online
distance education courses to build a knowledge community in the
Caribbean focused on the teaching of reading.
FY 05 Funding: USD 400,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
H. Project Name: The Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle Project/JA-STYLE
Recipient: Ministry of Health, youth in targeted areas in Jamaica
Project Description: The Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle Project seeks
to promote healthy lifestyles by improving healthy reproductive
behaviors and reduce risky behavioral practices among adolescents.
IT Component: Provision of computers to NGOs to access information
on adolescent reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, capacity
strengthening, and financial management. It is also a source of
communication to a global audience and for networking with
partners.
FY 05 Funding: USD 10,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
I. Project Name: HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program
Recipient: Ministry of Health, youth and most at-risk sub-groups
Project Description: To increase healthy behaviors among youth,
reduced HIV prevalence in youth and most at-risk sub-groups, and
mitigate economic impact of HIV/AIDS.
IT Component: In FY2005, the Ministry of Health, through a grant
from USAID/Jamaica, provided six laptop computers and five
multimedia projectors to strengthen the ability of four Regional
Health Authorities to respond the HIV/AIDS program in Jamaica.
Specifically, this equipment is used for outreach to raise awareness
of the epidemic, assist persons in assessing their risk, and assist
with tracking the growth of the epidemic while monitoring the
progress made.
FY05 Funding: USD 19,558
FYO6 Funding: USD 0
J. Project Name: N/A
Recipient: Inner-city communities of Grants Pen, Central Village and
Flanker.
Project Description: Improved Governance through Citizen Security
and Participation. The Democracy and Governance Program will
facilitate the free flow of information by providing selected
Community Based Organizations (CBOs) with limited computer
equipment. The new computers will enhance their institutional
capabilities to undertake fund-raising in a more systematic and
efficient fashion, undertake more efficient financial management and
raise the level of their strategic planning capabilities.
IT Component: Provision of computers to enable locally based
community based organizations to improve their institutional
capabilities to undertake fund-raising, strategic planning and
financial management.
FY 05 Funding: USD 0
FY 06 Funding: USD 50,000
4. Post point of contact is Economic Officer John Morgan
(morganjs@state.gov, tel. (876) 935-6028).
HEG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BUDDEN),EB/CIP/BA (FETCHKO)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS EINT EAID PHUM JM
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S INITIATIVE ON GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM: JAMAICA
RESPONSE
REF: STATE 142147
1. This cable responds to reftel request. Responses are keyed to
template provided.
--------------
Context
--------------
2. USAID/Jamaica Economic Growth Strategic Objective Program for
FY2005 through FY2009: Under USAID/Jamaica's FY2005 to FY2009
strategy of "Increased Trade Competitiveness in Targeted
Industries", its economic growth program aims to improve the
capacity of targeted industry clusters and firms to contribute to
economic growth and job creation and to benefit from trade and
investment opportunities. The program focuses on strengthening
industry clusters and firms in tourism, agriculture, and
entertainment and culture, each of which have been identified by the
Government of Jamaica and the local private sector in the National
Industrial Policy as the industry sectors that present the greatest
opportunities for Jamaica to be competitive. USAID/Jamaica's
assistance also includes the provision of limited technical
assistance to improve the environment for doing business by reducing
impediments to business growth and investment.
3. The following projects were identified:
A. Project Name: Tourism industry cluster website upgrade to
facilitate increased sales for small and medium-sized hotels and
attractions.
Recipients: Unique Jamaica, a network of Jamaica Tourism Cluster
Members, comprising hoteliers, restaurants, and tour operators.
Project Description: Increasing Competitiveness in Tourism and
Improving the Business Environment for Developing the Small, Medium
and Micro Enterprise Sectors. Upgrading of the tourism industry
cluster's website to facilitate on-line bookings for small and
medium-sized hotels and attractions, in an effort to increase sales
for small and medium-sized tourism industry enterprises and to
expand the tourism market beyond the large, all-inclusive hotel
chains.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth; Program that
expands public access to ICT; and website development.
FY 05 Funding: USD 12,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
B. Project Name: Development and Investment Manual Development
Recipients: The Office of the Prime Minister/Cabinet Office,
Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
Project Description: Increasing Trade Competitiveness and Improving
the Environment for Doing Business in Jamaica. The production of an
on-line Development and Investment Manual that will be accessible
via the Internet and will serve as a guide for any type of
development/investment project in Jamaica, whether by local or
foreign investors. Having been identified as a key constraint to
doing business in Jamaica by the private sector and the Government
of Jamaica, the availability of this manual will improve the
business climate and facilitate investment and development.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth, E-government and
Program that expands public access to ICT.
FY 05 Funding: USD 0
FY 06 Funding: USD 200,000 or more, depending upon final
assessment
C. Project Name: Improving the Jamaican Business Visa Process.
Recipients: Ministry of National Security (Immigration Department),
the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Customs Department, Government of
Jamaica and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
Project Description: Increasing Trade Competitiveness and Improving
the Environment for Doing Business in Jamaica. Work with recipients
to remove a major impediment to doing business, by improving the
Jamaican business visa process, including clarifying the proper
procedures for business class visitor entry into Jamaica,
streamlining policies and regulations, training Immigration Officers
in immigration procedures for facilitating business entry into
Jamaica, conducting public outreach sessions, producing brochures to
be disseminated among the Ministries, Foreign Consulates,
KINGSTON 00001789 002 OF 003
Immigration Officers, and the Jamaican business community, and
publishing the brochure and related procedures on-line.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth, E-government and
Program that expands public access to ICT.
FY 05 Funding: USD 13,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
D. Project Name: Entertainment and Culture industry cluster website
development to facilitate increased income-generating opportunities
for local studios and musicians which/who must compete with larger
studios from around the world.
Recipients: "JamaicaSignatureBeats", a network of experienced
technical and creative music professionals, including studio
operators, musicians and record producers.
Project Description: Increasing Competitiveness in Tourism and
Entertainment and Culture and Improving the Business Environment for
Developing the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise Sectors. The
development of a website for the entertainment industry cluster to
facilitate on-line bookings of small, independent music studios and
local musicians, in an effort to increase income-generating
opportunities for local studios and musicians who must compete with
larger studios from around the world.
IT Component: ICT in Support of economic growth; Program that
expands public access to ICT, and website development.
FY 05 Funding: USD 12,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
E. Project Name: Community Development Project Fund.
Recipients: Non-Government Organizations and Community Based
Organizations:
-- Hampton Court Community Center
-- Stony Hill Primary and Junior High
-- SIMBA Education
-- Church Action Negril
-- Point Hill Reading
-- Goldsmith Villa Development Center
Project Description: Provide limited grants for community-based
self-help activities initiated by private sector and
non-governmental organizations.
IT Component: Provision of 43 computers to 6 community groups
FY 05 Funding: USD 160,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
F. Project Name: Expanding Educational Horizons
Recipient: Ministry of Education and Youth, at-risk youth in twelve
NGOs, and students and teachers in 71 primary schools
Project Description: Expanding Educational Horizons (EEH) is
USAID/Jamaica's five year (2005-2009) education project in
collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth to help
improve primary education across Jamaica by promoting child-centered
strategies.
The education project builds upon the previous USAID project, New
Horizons for Primary Schools Project (NHP),which helped improved
the quality of basic education in 71 schools. Expanding Educational
Horizons will continue to work with the 71 former NHP schools,
graduating those which have achieved a specific level of proficiency
next year before selecting new schools to participate in the
project. The EEH also provides remedial education and life skills
training to at-risk youth in twelve NGOs.
IT Component: Technology is being used by the project schools and
NGOs for: enhancing curriculum; teaching and learning; and managing
of the education system at central, regional, school, and classroom
levels.
FY 05 Funding: USD 0
FY 06 Funding: USD 345,000
G. Project Name: Caribbean Center For Excellence in Teacher
Training.
Recipient: Joint Board for Teacher Education, University of the West
Indies (schools in twelve English speaking Caribbean countries).
Project Description: Caribbean Center for Excellence in Teacher
Training (C-CETT),is a Presidential Initiative established in 2001.
C-CETT provides innovative leadership to strengthen reading
KINGSTON 00001789 003 OF 003
instruction and increase the reading skills of primary school
students throughout the English-speaking Caribbean.
IT component: Information Communication Technology (ICT) is one of
the key components of the program. This investment has expanded
teachers' access to ICT, enabled our implementing partners to train
school administrators and classroom teachers to use the technology
and to equip participating primary schools with computers. Results
achieve to date include the establishment of a Wireless-Wide Area
Network (W-WAN),linking participating primary schools, teacher
training colleges and the University of the West Indies facilitating
live broadcast of trainings, the archival of innovative materials
and greater collaboration and sharing of information between and
within countries. The C-CETT has also provided schools with a
web-based Management Information System to assist schools in
treating a wide range of administrative issues and to track and
monitor students' progress in reading. C-CETT has designed online
distance education courses to build a knowledge community in the
Caribbean focused on the teaching of reading.
FY 05 Funding: USD 400,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
H. Project Name: The Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle Project/JA-STYLE
Recipient: Ministry of Health, youth in targeted areas in Jamaica
Project Description: The Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle Project seeks
to promote healthy lifestyles by improving healthy reproductive
behaviors and reduce risky behavioral practices among adolescents.
IT Component: Provision of computers to NGOs to access information
on adolescent reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, capacity
strengthening, and financial management. It is also a source of
communication to a global audience and for networking with
partners.
FY 05 Funding: USD 10,000
FY 06 Funding: USD 0
I. Project Name: HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program
Recipient: Ministry of Health, youth and most at-risk sub-groups
Project Description: To increase healthy behaviors among youth,
reduced HIV prevalence in youth and most at-risk sub-groups, and
mitigate economic impact of HIV/AIDS.
IT Component: In FY2005, the Ministry of Health, through a grant
from USAID/Jamaica, provided six laptop computers and five
multimedia projectors to strengthen the ability of four Regional
Health Authorities to respond the HIV/AIDS program in Jamaica.
Specifically, this equipment is used for outreach to raise awareness
of the epidemic, assist persons in assessing their risk, and assist
with tracking the growth of the epidemic while monitoring the
progress made.
FY05 Funding: USD 19,558
FYO6 Funding: USD 0
J. Project Name: N/A
Recipient: Inner-city communities of Grants Pen, Central Village and
Flanker.
Project Description: Improved Governance through Citizen Security
and Participation. The Democracy and Governance Program will
facilitate the free flow of information by providing selected
Community Based Organizations (CBOs) with limited computer
equipment. The new computers will enhance their institutional
capabilities to undertake fund-raising in a more systematic and
efficient fashion, undertake more efficient financial management and
raise the level of their strategic planning capabilities.
IT Component: Provision of computers to enable locally based
community based organizations to improve their institutional
capabilities to undertake fund-raising, strategic planning and
financial management.
FY 05 Funding: USD 0
FY 06 Funding: USD 50,000
4. Post point of contact is Economic Officer John Morgan
(morganjs@state.gov, tel. (876) 935-6028).
HEG