The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is reporting that in excess of $88 billion in Productive Input Relief (PIR) was approved last year to assist businesses. Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, made the disclosure while addressing the Standing Finance Committee in the House of Representatives on March 6. “We approved PIR, which is Productive Input Relief, for...

Several micro, small and medium-sized business operators in Kingston and St. Andrew benefited from the National Housing Trust’s third Compliance Engagement and Mobilisation Session (Compliance 365) at Mandela Park in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, on Thursday (March 7). NHT Assistant General Manager for Compliance, Dameon McNally, said the session is pivotal to the entity’s thrust to improve compliance among members...

Some 1,335 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have so far benefited from the Boosting Innovation Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (BIGEE) programme. The US$25-million project forms part of the Government’s thrust to support a sustained and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamaica, thereby boosting the country’s economic growth. It is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) and executed by the...

Jamaica will join the global community is observing World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) on March 15, under theme ‘Fair and Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in Consumer Relations.’ Activities will take place locally under the sub-theme ‘Consumer and Technology: Are you Protected?’. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Thursday (March 7), the CAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dolsie Allen, said...

Investors looking for an opportunity to join the growing multibillion-dollar global spice sector are being encouraged to explore the local production of ginger, turmeric and pimento. Chief of Party for the Food for Progress Jamaica Spices (JaSpice) Project, Dr. Ronald Blake, said that ginger and turmeric are largely used in both nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. “For all three crops, what the...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) will be launching a new data-collection survey during the forthcoming months. The exercise, which is intended to secure up-to-date information to enhance consumer protection in Jamaica, will be conducted through various channels. These include online platforms, telephone interviews and in-person interactions. CAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dolsie Allen, said the survey is being designed to...

The Jamaica Trade Board Limited has launched a new trading platform that will better enable local manufacturers and exporters to unlock and take advantage of business opportunities across the globe. The online platform, dubbed ‘EXPORT Jamaica’, will provide businesspeople with information to identify and enter new markets and successfully promote and sell their products. Addressing the launch on Wednesday (March...