The Government will be conducting a review of the 2013 Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (MSME) and Entrepreneurship Policy. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, said the review will be undertaken over the next three months. Among the objectives are to update the policy, create a standard definition of MSMEs in order to improve reporting of...

Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, says that mined-out bauxite lands across the island will be returned to productive use, especially in the area of agriculture. During a tour of two water harvesting and greenhouse cluster projects in St. Ann on June 2, Mr. Henry said he is determined to ensure that the lands are returned to the people...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, has urged farmers in western Jamaica to re-enter the cattle industry, in an effort to reduce imports and improve the country’s position in beef and milk production. Speaking at the relaunch of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Savanna-la-Mar Methodist Church Hall on June 4, Mr. Samuda...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says the Government has no intention of abandoning the local sugar industry. Addressing a ceremony in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on June 4 to relaunch the parish’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minister said that abandoning the sugar industry would be a retrograde step, and would negatively impact thousands of workers...

Jamaica’s diagnostic laboratories have been rated among the best in the region, says Senior Veterinary Officer and Technical Manager in the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Winthorph Marsden. “A study was done in the Caribbean about five years ago and a consultant from the European Union went to all Caribbean diagnostic laboratories...

Jamaica is moving to strengthen co-operation with Cuba on key industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, which can benefit both nations. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, said Jamaica is seeking to learn from the experience of Cuba, which “has done remarkably well with limited resources.” He noted as well that Cuba has stayed on the...

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr. Warren Smith, believes agriculture can potentially transform Jamaica’s economy into one that engenders growth and prosperity. The sector is one of two, deemed pivotal to the Government’s economic growth and job creation agenda, which has benefitted from significant CDB funding support. The other is the micro, small and medium-size enterprise (MSME) sector. Dr. Smith...