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Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda says the Government will not be letting up on banks to reduce unfair and exorbitant service fees, and that the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) will expose such practices wherever they are found. Speaking at a press conference at his Ministry's New Kingston offices, today (January 6), Mr. Samuda said the government...

During 2009/2010, 708 charitable organizations took advantage of a six-month amnesty offered by the Companies Office of Jamaica's (COJ) to file outstanding documents. As contained in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce's performance report for its agencies up to May 2010, Cabinet gave approval for the COJ to partially waive fees for the filing of certain documents by non-profit...

The Trade Board, during the 2009/10 financial year, facilitated the export of products valued at US$209.12 million under various trade agreements. According to the report, which has been tabled in Parliament, exports to CARICOM grew by 73 per cent reflecting increased sales of cement to the region. There was a five per cent increase in applications for the importation of...

During the last financial year, the Scientific Research Council (SRC) continued to effectively serve the productive sector, policy makers and the general public through product research and development, providing quality scientific and technological solutions, and facilitating technology transfer. As set out in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce's performance report for its agencies up to May 2010, more than...

Local manufacturers and producers of high quality goods and services along with their products, were recently showcased in western Jamaica, when Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) staged two signature 'Business to Business' linkage events. They were held at the Negril Escape Resort and Spa, on November 30, and at the Sunset Beach Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, on December 1....

Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Karl Samuda will represent Jamaica at the 31st Ministerial Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade & Economic Development (COTED), which opens in Georgetown, Guyana tomorrow, Thursday December 2nd. Minister Samuda will join other CARICOM Ministers to consider key Regional trade matters including Jamaica's proposal for a monitoring mechanism for cement in the Region;...

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, says efforts are being made to provide the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) with a $50 million loan facility, to enable expansion of its operations. The money is to be allocated from $300 million which Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, earlier this year announced was being provided for on-lending to...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has said that activities related to trade within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) must be harmonised, to allow the region to be more competitive. According to the Minister, CARICOM must move together, so that, as a community, "we are able to provide the goods and services at competitive prices, so that we...

The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) is leading efforts in the public service to improve ethics and accountability, by having its entire staff undergo training. The training course, 'Creation of an Ethical Infrastructure', will be conducted by the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) in collaboration with the Cabinet Office. The course will take the form of a series of...

Chairman of the Kingston Free Zone, Montego Bay Free Zone and Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Neil Seaton was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Latin America and the Caribbean at the 10th Annual World Free Zone Convention (WFZC). The Conference, held in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on November 2 and 3, 2010, sought to provide an opportunity for the...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, has encouraged local companies to implement quality management systems, to increase their competiveness. He called for firms to take advantage of "what you have in your backyard", and get certified through the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ). Addressing a World Quality Day Symposium at the Knutsford Court...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has said that the government must move away from the watchdog approach in the regulation of the business sector, noting that rules need to be less stringent in order to allow businesses to thrive. "We must trust business. We must begin to move away from the watchdog approach and the application...