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Work to develop the Global Logistics Hub Initiative during this year, is to be boosted significantly by the provision of $50 million in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives on April 4. The allocation has been earmarked to purchase equipment, and finance the provision of services, among other inputs, to continue work already...

The Government of Jamaica has signed a letter of intent with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for the extension of the PRIDE Jamaica Programme, which is expected to bring about continued improvement in the tax administration system. The Promote, Renew, Invigorate, Develop, and Energize (PRIDE) Jamaica project, which is being funded at a cost of US$1.7 million,...

The Government’s logistics hub initiative will be a global asset of the scale and significance of the world’s other leading hubs in Rotterdam, Singapore, and Dubai. At a meeting with government communicators at Jamaica House on Thursday, March 28, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, emphasized that the hub will have far-reaching economic benefits beyond basic transshipment...

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, has underscored the importance of developing Jamaica’s capacity to produce more goods and services for export. This, she argues, is necessary in order to transform the economy into one which is competitively positioned globally, thereby generating significantly higher foreign exchange earnings. Speaking at a recent University of...

The Government’s logistics hub initiative will be a global asset of the scale and significance of the world’s other leading hubs in Rotterdam, Singapore, and Dubai. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, emphasised at a meeting with government communicators at Jamaica House on March 28 that the hub will have far-reaching economic benefits that go far beyond...

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, is encouraging local businesses to attain internationally accepted certification of their management systems, as this will positively impact their organisations. The Minister was speaking at the inaugural staging of Certification Day, hosted by the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) at the Knutsford Court hotel in New Kingston, on March 27. He...

Jamaica has the potential to earn significantly through the United Nations’ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation -plus (REDD+) programme, by speeding up its schedule of greenhouse gas reducing projects. This according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Jamaica, Dr. Arun Kashyapwho said … “predictions are that (global) financial flows for (implementing) greenhouse gas emission reductions...

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...