The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) will be pushing to capitalise on business opportunities that are available in the international market, says the entity’s President, Metry Seaga. “We are surrounded by an abundance of opportunities for Jamaican exports,” he said. “The United Kingdom’s (UK) import market grew by one per cent in 2017, which amounted to US$4.9 billion, while...

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government will be taking a multipronged approach to improve the coffee industry. This includes market diversification and the increased productivity and production of Blue Mountain, High Mountain and Lowland coffee. Addressing the launch of the second annual Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says that the Alternative Development Programme (ADP), which will provide an avenue for small ganja farmers to benefit from the ganja industry, will start by March 2019. The programme aims to prevent and eliminate the illicit cultivation of ganja and channel the process through legal streams. The pilot, which will commence in Accompong,...

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government is examining long-term solutions that will place the coffee industry in a better position. Among the solutions suggested is the reduction of infringements on the Jamaica Blue Mountain and Jamaica High Mountain coffee trademarks on the international scene, as well as locally, through the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory...

The St. Ann office of the Social Development Commission (SDC), in partnership with the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, is giving small entrepreneurs in the parish a push-start through the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP). The LEDSP is one of seven programmes of the SDC through which different partners in a local area are brought together to work and harness...

  Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw (centre), is in discussion with Chairman of Carib Cement Company Limited, Parris Lyew-Ayee (right); and General Manager, Carib Cement Company Limited Peter Donkersloot Ponce, during the official opening of the new concrete road in Litchfield, Manchester on December 16. Caribbean Cement rehabilitated 530 metres of road in the farming...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says the magnitude of St. Elizabeth’s contribution to the national food chain makes the parish a critical player in Jamaica’s economic development. Speaking at the recent St. Elizabeth Homecoming Agrifest, held at Independence Park, Black River, Mr. Hutchinson said he is also mindful that 2017...