Jamaicans and other CARICOM nationals should, by June 2014, have easier access to member states, and be able to fully exercise their rights to travel, work and seek out other opportunities as provided for under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) arrangement. This is being facilitated through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)-funded CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP),...

Significant strides have been made in the removal of red tape hindering the progress of business development and growth in Jamaica, as the Government moves to implement strategies to make the country more business-friendly, while increasing its global competitiveness. This was  stated by State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, as she addressed the opening of  a...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, is urging stakeholders in the food industry to ensure that modern safety procedures are applied in their facilities. She said  this forms part of measures to ensure safety of the domestic market, and that the country is in compliance with North American and European food importation...

The Commissions of Enquiry (Amendment) Act was passed in the Senate on  October 4. The Bill seeks to modernise and discourage acts that undermine the effectiveness of the Commission or which are disruptive of the Commission’s proceedings. Debate on  the Bill resumed in the Senate today, after it was suspended to allow for further dialogue. Leader of Opposition Business in...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, sees a bright future for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica, as they create and maintain jobs in communities, through support from JAMPRO’s Business Linkages Programme. She said that when business linkages are sustainably developed along practical commercial lines, MSMEs stand to benefit...

Seventeen young people from several inner-city communities island-wide are being given an opportunity to gain skills in animation as part of efforts to capitalise on the lucrative US$200 billion industry. The cohort, aged 17 to 35 years of age are participating in the $9 million Alternative Livelihoods and Skills Development Animation Project, which is being funded by the Jamaica Social...

Talented young people in western Jamaica are being invited to come out and view the animation showcase, which will be held as part of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Expo 2013 next month. Director of the Chamber, Dr. Luz Longsworth, who is also Director for the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Western Jamaica campus, said that...