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 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...

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA), today (February 16), hosted a virtual stakeholder sensitisation session, primarily targeted at stakeholders in the construction sector. The session provided information on the concrete kerb unit monitoring programme, which will be launched in April 2022 and monitored by the NCRA. In his remarks, Minister of State...

Vice President of Marketing at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) Gabriel Heron, says increased investments, coupled with greater use of technology such as greenhouses and hydroponics, can result in major transformation of the agriculture sector. He made the remarks on Thursday (February 3) while addressing a virtual webinar focusing on ‘Technology-Driven Agriculture Business: Boosting Production, Driving Export Sales’. “There is the...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, says the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has given exemplary and well-recognised service to the economy. “The JSE has been the meeting place of investors with capital, and [budding] entrepreneurs… with great ideas. We have recorded some sterling successes [with] a well-structured, properly regulated and well-run Jamaica Stock Exchange, especially...