The Match Making Software, introduced by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) at the recently held Expo Jamaica 2014, contributed significantly to the event’s success and the record participation of buyers. More than 450 of the 600 registered buyers took part in this year’s staging, including those from some 20 overseas countries, exceeding the 350 target. Manager for Market Development at JAMPRO,...

For the 2014/15 fiscal year, the Government will be seeking to strengthen the enabling environment for private sector competitiveness, to help Jamaica unleash productivity and growth. This will be done through the Jamaica Foundation for Competitiveness and Growth, which has been allocated $40 million in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the Standing Finance Committee of the House. Focus...

The country’s business environment will be further strengthened, with the support of $40 million, which has been set aside in the 2014/15 budget, to enable large scale investments and capacity support for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. The Jamaica Foundations for Competiveness and Growth project, being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), is geared at...

Opportunities to drive economic growth with infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPPs) between Jamaica and Canada are numerous, says Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission, Rick McElrea. “Almost every single thing that is on the Government’s agenda that has to be updated, such as highways, schools, hospitals, even the logistics hub...is a potential project for public-private partnership,” he noted. Mr....

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says developing a ‘logistics centred’ economy is a key strategy through which Jamaica’s global competitiveness can be significantly enhanced. The Government envisages the country becoming the fourth node in the global logistics chain with the implementation of its Global Logistics Hub Initiative, which is geared towards achieving continued growth by bringing...

Jamaica Customs Amending Its Governing Laws The Jamaica Customs Agency is currently in the process of amending sections of the Customs Act and Regulations in an effort to bring it in line with international best practices and standards. Manager of Revenue Accounts at Jamaica Customs, Kirk Benjamin, says the Act and the Regulation were both out dated. “The Jamaica Customs...

The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is to embark on a major two-year initiative, dubbed ‘Road Show USA’, primarily targetting the United States’ fresh produce and processed foods markets, for local exports. Jampro Vice President for Export and Market Development, Robert Scott, says the undertaking, expected to get underway later this year, aims to increase export sales to points of distribution...