Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing, agriculture, and service sectors, have until April 30 to register for the National Quality Awards (NQA) programme, being hosted by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). The deadline for this year’s staging of the NQA has been extended to allow as many companies as possible to participate in the programme. The programme...

The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) is positioning Jamaica to tap into the multi-trillion-dollar Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment market. ESG investing refers to putting money in companies, which, through their environmental performance, social impact and governance issues, are focused on balancing people, planet and profits. It is becoming increasingly popular as investors seek long-term value and alignment...

Jamaicans can protect their goods and services with trademarks in 126 foreign markets, through the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO). These markets are members of the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, which uses the Madrid Protocol. This Protocol came into effect in Jamaica on March 27 of this year and will be facilitated under JIPO. Details were...

Sixty local entrepreneurs within the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector are set to benefit from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Accelerator Programme. The $60-million initiative is being funded jointly by the JBDC and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). The 60 entrepreneurs form the fourth cohort of the six-month Accelerator Programme, which includes six modules, focusing on...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, says Jamaica’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) will lead to significant progress in strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem and gross domestic product (GDP). “Ultimately, the PCT brings Jamaican creators within the world’s reach. They may seek protection in countries where they intend...

Jamaican businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to register now to take advantage of a major investor networking opportunity, through Jamaica’s hosting of the World Free Zone Organization (WFZO) Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) 2022. The event, which is scheduled for June 13 to 17 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, is the first in-person WFZO conference...

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector are being sensitised about the possible changes that are coming to the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Produce Safety Rule, which will require them to carry out assessments to ensure that water used to grow produce is free from contaminants. The FDA is proposing a revision to Subpart E of the FDA...