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State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, said the Ministry is working to address trade constraints within the region, including the trade imbalance between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. “We are working closely with CARICOM on the range of trade and investment issues, including access to markets, the movement of people, and so on,” she stated. Mrs....

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is encouraging persons to practise proper budgeting and good money management, as they make their purchases. “It is very difficult to make choices during a constraint economy or where there is not enough funds to acquire everything you need at once…so, it is important that you make very knowledgeable choices and manage your money wisely,”...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott, says he is on a mission to root-out all forms of corruption from all agencies and authorities associated with his Ministry. He noted that even “the very perception” of corruption must be eliminated from the Ministry. Mr. Arscott, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House...

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says there is a need for a relevant and well thought out services sector policy geared at strengthening employment possibilities, productivity and innovation in the Jamaican marketplace. He noted that such a policy would also position Jamaica to seize the many wide ranging opportunities available globally. “A well functioning services sector is...

Jamaica’s trade and investment agency, JAMPRO, facilitated the creation of close to 5,000 jobs during the last financial year. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, told Parliament during his Sectoral Debate presentation on Wednesday (June 20), that JAMPRO’s unaudited figures indicate that the agency facilitated 4,729 jobs, which is an increase of 10 per cent over its...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, is calling on Jamaican companies to move towards improving the quality of their goods and services by becoming certified. He said that certification is also critical in enhancing competitiveness. “The implementation of a quality management system can have an important positive impact on the improvement of product quality. I want to...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the  Ministry is moving to advance the legislative agenda to address intellectual property (IP) challenges, given that IP is an important source of competitiveness. Mr. Hylton gave the undertaking in his 2012/13 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives, on June 20. On the matter of patents and designs,...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says he will be submitting the recently drafted micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) procurement policy to Cabinet as early as next week. Mr. Hylton said the draft policy, which was developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, is geared at facilitating and stimulating growth and employment in...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the Government is working to implement a system called ‘mobile money’, which will allow customers to carry out monetary transactions using their mobile phones. Speaking during the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 20, Mr. Hylton said the system is being developed, in collaboration with the...

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the government’s plan to establish Jamaica as a global transshipment and logistics hub represents an investment opportunity of some US$7-8 billion, spanning a five to 10-year period. The proposal entails implementation of a series of developments, including: dredging of the Kingston Harbour; port facility expansion works at Fort Augusta and Gordon...

Jamaica’s trade and investment promotions agency, JAMPRO, will be leading a substantial business focused programme to target buyers, distributors and prospective investors, during the 'Jamaica House' 2012 programme at the O2 in London during the summer Olympics. JAMPRO Vice President, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, said that the agency has learnt from the experience of the Beijing Olympics and will try...

Manufactures and exporters will now be able to access increased levels of funding through the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA)/ Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association loan programme. Under the facility, which is financed by the EX-IM Bank, firms can now access up to $3.5 million. Previously, exporters could borrow up to $2 million, and manufacturers up to $1.5 million. “We are proud to...