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Jamaica's trade deficit continues to widen, as reflected in the International Merchandise Trade Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) this month. For the review period, January to August 2011, the country’s total expenditure on imports was valued at US$4,323.9 million, while earnings from total exports amounted to US$1,113.0 million. The trade deficit during January to August 2011...

KINGSTON — Jamaica Customs says it has identified areas of delay, amid implementation of strategies to ensure timely cargo clearance at the ports. In a release Thursday December 22, 2011, the Jamaica Customs Department said it recognized that the delays being experienced were due to the increase in cargo at the ports at this time. However, the department urged customers...

KINGSTON — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, is urging operators of private sector laboratories, particularly those engaged in food testing, to get their facilities accredited. Mr. Budhan said that laboratories need to be accredited by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), in order to safeguard Jamaica’s ability to export into the markets...

KINGSTON — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, says that Jamaica has the potential to create a vibrant cassava starch industry to serve local and export markets. He acknowledged that while the task would not be easy, given the high level of protection characterising international markets as many countries seek to protect their domestic...

KINGSTON — Exporters will soon find it easier and cheaper to conduct transactions with the relevant registration and approval agencies. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, says he has given instruction for the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) "to begin a phase of bringing the application and approval processes for these services online." The Minister, who was...

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Development Bank of Jamaica Limited (DBJ) today (Nov. 24) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a US$20 million loan facility, which will facilitate investment in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The agreement, which was signed during a ceremony at the offices of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce in New...

KINGSTON — A unit is to be established within the offices of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), which will focus exclusively on the critical variables pertaining to Jamaica in the Global Competitiveness Report and the Doing Business Report. Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, said the move is an attempt to “improve on those variables because we...

KINGSTON — Effective December 1, 2011, the maximum age limit of certain categories of used motor vehicles that can be imported, will move from three to five years for motor cars and from four to six years for light motor vehicles.   The extended age limit will affect motor cars, sports utility vehicles, pick-ups and cargo vans. This policy shift...

KINGSTON — The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is to develop a survey instrument that will be used to test customer satisfaction levels within the 21 agencies and departments of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. The move comes as the Ministry implements its Citizens' Charter in keeping with the Government's objective of ensuring greater accountability, transparency and enhanced public...

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has challenged members of the business community to ensure that there is greater collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders within the sector, in an effort to enhance the pace of entrepreneurial activities. "We cannot afford as a country, to have ‘hold ups’ in the implementation of entrepreneurial activities...

KINGSTON — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, has called on local companies to place greater emphasis on training their employees, to improve their competitiveness. "In the case of companies, you get employees with basic qualification, it is your responsibility to ensure that they continue the development process," Mr. Budhan said. "You ensure that...

KINGSTON — Jamaica Customs is on schedule to become an Executive Agency by April next year, ushering in significant reductions in turn-around time, improved customer service and cost recovery for more of the services offered. This was disclosed by Director of Operations at the Norman Manley International Airport, a major operational unit of Customs, Florence Howe, at the 41st Annual...