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Activities in the country’s micro enterprise sector have been boosted by the establishment of the Jamaica Association of Micro Financing (JAMFIN). The organisation, which comprises several micro financing entities, seeks to advance the welfare of its members through partnerships forged with major private and public sector stakeholders.   Its founding members include: First Union Financial Company Limited; Kris An Charles...

State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, says more can be done to increase business opportunities for female entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. “We must do more to assist existing women-owned micro and small businesses in growing and becoming more competitive,” she said. The Minister was addressing a graduation ceremony for the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) Training...

There has been an overwhelming response to the Government’s tender for the development of the Caymanas Economic Zone. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the reaction to the first offer is such that the Government can go ahead with the project. “The response has come from all over the world and is at a level that...

St. Thomas residents are welcoming news of the proposed commodity port at Cow Bay, near Yallahs, as part of the Government’s proposed global logistics hub. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, told residents that Cow Bay has one of the deepest harbours in the world, at a natural depth of 51 metres. This, he said, gives it...

Discussions between the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Jamaica Bankers’ Association (JBA) on a draft voluntary Banking Code of Conduct, are at an advanced stage. The proposed Code of Conduct, drafted in 2011 under a Consumers International/Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) project, recommends principles and rules governing the manner in which banking institutions should operate, particularly in relation to their...

Cabinet is slated to receive the names of persons nominated to sit on the proposed Consumer Protection Tribunal, during its weekly meeting at Jamaica House on Monday, March 18. Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, who will make the submission, says the Chairman and members have already been identified and the legal and legislative requirements put in place...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the newly opened ARC Lumber Treatment Plant, is a welcome investment that will help to further grow the country’s economy. “The launch of this facility is a clear indication of the owner’s confidence in the country and its evolving business environment. The launch of the lumber treatment plant certainly represents...

Efforts are being made to provide adequate training for the local labour force, to ensure that persons can take up a significant number of the over 10,000 jobs expected to be generated by the global transshipment and logistics hub development. In this regard, Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, said the Logistics Task Force has secured broad-scale representation...

An enterprise team has been appointed to spearhead the privatisation of the operations at the Port of Kingston. Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, made the announcement on Thursday, March 7, at a stakeholders’ consultation with representatives of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), at Newport West, Kingston. The Government is moving to put the management of the...

Local exporters are being urged to ensure that overseas sales representatives are legitimate, before they contract them to market their products abroad. The advice came from JAMPRO’s Western Regional Manager, Conrad Robinson, as he addressed a technical workshop for operators of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), held on Wednesday, March 6, at the Pelican Grill in Montego Bay. He said...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has welcomed the official opening of a new MegaMart store in Mandeville, which she said, will provide a host of economic opportunities. In addition to employment, local producers are expected to supply the store with an estimated $500 million in produce annually. The Prime Minister praised the MegaMart chain of wholesale clubs,...

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the United States Chamber of Commerce are to host a joint conference in Jamaica, aimed at promoting the Global Logistics Hub Initiative. This was disclosed by the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, during a meeting with Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie at the Embassy...