The Government is seeking to encourage the development of new varieties of cannabis, under the New Plant Varieties (Rights of Breeders) Bill being developed by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, said consequent on the decriminalisation of cannabis in Jamaica and other jurisdictions, “we recognise that there is an urgent need for...

The Committee overseeing the merger of the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) and Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is working to finalise the supporting processes over the next six months. The timeline is in keeping with instructions from Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, who has portfolio responsibility for both agencies. The merger forms part of the...

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) has applauded the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies (DCFS) on its use of digital technology to offer registration services to the public. Speaking at the virtual launch of the DCFS Online Registration System on February 23, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn,...

Intellectual property rights for plant breeders in Jamaica will be introduced when The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce finalises the New Plant Varieties (Rights of Breeders) Bill and makes it law. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, who said the pending legislation is close to being finalised. He was speaking during the Jamaica Intellectual...

A sum of $710.2 million is earmarked to continue work under the Government’s Global Services Skills Project, during fiscal year 2022/23. Details of the provision are outlined in the 2022/23 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which commenced in January 2019 and is being implemented by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), aims to promote growth in...

Local designers in the fashion, gift and craft industry are to benefit from the ‘Festival of the Cloth Workshop Series’, being hosted by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). The series is a three-part programme, which will focus on Design Motif and Block Cutting on March 2 to 4; Waxing and Dyeing Part 1 on March 16 to 18, and...

Chairman of the Paint and Surface Coatings Technical Committee at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), Johann Antoine, is calling for partnership on research to determine lead exposure levels in Jamaica. He noted that such collaboration is one of the greatest needs in the fight against lead poisoning from paint. Mr. Antoine, who is a research scientist at the International...