Registered coffee farmers are to benefit from an $80-million initiative that is expected to improve and increase their yields over time. The project, which falls under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries’ Productivity Incentive Programme, will focus on training; the purchase of inputs, such as fertilisers and fungicides, and tools. Speaking at a press conference on October 3...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, has applauded the Jamaica 4-H Clubs for moving to stage farmers’ markets, providing a ready-made market for farm produce. The inaugural event was held on Friday (September 29) at the 4-H headquarters on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew. Mr. Hutchinson, who spoke to JIS...

Director General in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Vivian Brown, says the Government remains committed to creating the legislative framework to protect consumers’ rights, while increasing their confidence in the business environment. “This means regularly reviewing and modernising our consumer protection laws, ensuring that there is effective redress for aggrieved consumers and empowering citizens to become more...

Head of the Trade Agreements Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Symone Betton-Nayo, says the services sector remains an untapped area that offers tremendous opportunity for Jamaica’s economic growth and development. The service sector includes economic activities such as retail, banking, hospitality, entertainment, real estate, education, health, social work, recreation, media, communications, electricity, gas, water...

Minister without Portfolio in the Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson is calling for more local farmers to utilise organic fertilisers. He noted that crops grown organically fetch a higher price at market. The demand for organic produce continues to grow, with the global market estimated to value US$80 billion in 2015. “We want to get a...

Timely implementation of key capital projects and reforms by the Government and other stakeholders will be pivotal to the country’s achieving projected growth of between two to three per cent for the 2017/18 fiscal year, and higher out-turns over the medium term. This was emphasised by Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, at the...

The Government is moving to implement the Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) process for used vehicles entering the island. Permanent Secretary in the Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, Donovan Stanberry, provided details at a consultation with used-car dealers, on August 29 at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) in New Kingston to outline the process. The Permanent Secretary explained that the...

The Copyright Act is to be amended to introduce comprehensive measures to tackle digital piracy. Speaking at a seminar on the business of music at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 24, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said the response to piracy needs to change to effectively address some of the challenges...

Film Commissioner at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Renée Robinson, says the country has been reaping benefits from development of the local film industry with steady increases in jobs and earnings. For the 2016/17 financial year, some 2,571 jobs were created by the film industry, compared to 1,406 in the previous year. Ms. Robinson told JIS News that the Commission tracks...