Organic farmer Fonyije Chigozili is hoping to break into the European market. She has benefited from valuable assistance to achieve her goal under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). Under the programme, local fresh produce, processed sauces and mixes have duty-free quota access to markets in Europe, tapping into a market of...

Jamaica’s Film Commissioner, Renée Robinson and 19 industry leaders left the island on September 7 to attend the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) from September 8 to 14. The delegation, which includes local film-makers, producers, production managers and other industry representatives working in content creation, broadcast and television services, will use the festival to seek development prospects for Jamaican films...

Jamaica’s gradual transition to a ‘logistics centred’ economy has prompted the need for integration of various sectors, public-private partnerships and ongoing research and discussions by key stakeholders. The prospect of Jamaica becoming a globally competitive logistics hub stems from its strategic geographic location along the major shipping lanes combined with its connectivity to global markets and proximity to North America....

More local manufacturing companies are being encouraged to get certified, so that their goods can meet international standards. “We are convinced that manufacturing has a huge role to play in the future of this country, and international standards and certification are major pillars in going forward,” says Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda. In a message...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, is calling for banks to lower interest rates to single digit, in order to boost production and growth within the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. He cited agriculture as one sector which cannot grow with an interest rate that exceeds four per cent. Minister Samuda noted that 97...

There are indications that the Government is giving consideration to renovating the Greenwich Farm fishing village located along Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston. Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, hinted at this while addressing the opening ceremony for a wellness fair in the community on August 26. Mr. Samuda told the residents that “I am going to...

Jamaica’s capacity to produce clean Irish potato seedlings has been enhanced with a $19-million allocation from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). Under the programme, the money spent annually to import 90 per cent of Irish potato seeds into the island will be cut significantly, while the availability of first-generation seeds will be guaranteed throughout the year. Delivering the keynote...