Jamaica’s imports for January to December 2019 were valued at US$6,339.2 million, an increase of 2.7 per cent when compared to US$6,170.5 million which was spent for the similar period in 2018 according to the International Merchandise Trade (IMT) Bulletin released today (March 31, 2020) by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). The December 2019 IMT Bulletin further outlined that...

In keeping with public health measures to combat the coronavirus, COVID-19, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is advising passengers, who entered Jamaica on or after March 18, and are in quarantine, to refrain from proceeding to any port to effect the clearance of goods, as this will not be facilitated until their quarantine period has ended. The Agency is also...

Effective March 31, retailers found to be charging customers exorbitant prices for goods during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak can be fined up to $2 million for this breach. This is stipulated in the Trade (Sale of Goods During Period of Declaration of Disaster Area) Order 2020, which was approved in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (March 25). State...

As Jamaica continues our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The MICAF and its agencies wishes to assure our valued stakeholders that we will remain fully functional and commit to meeting the needs of our key publics. We value our stakeholders and regret that we have to temporarily restrict access aimed at safeguarding your health as well as those of our...

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry is imploring business operators to comply with the measures announced by the Government to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Chamber President, Janet Silvera, told JIS News that there has been “blatant disregard” for health and safety guidelines by many operators, particularly as it relates to social distancing. “We find that the behaviour...

Amidst false information circulating via social media, business in Jamaica continues, within the parameters outlined and there is no planned shutdown of the country. As previously announced, both the public and private sectors have been encouraged to examine their operations and decide which elements can be done from home. Businesses are also implored to reduce public engagement. However, businesses that...

Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Valerie Veira, says the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) provides an opportunity for micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) operators to find new ways to expand their services and meet the needs of their consumers/clients. “It is now a time to do some serious reflection on how we do...