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State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, has informed that 440 cases were investigated by the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), last fiscal year. Making her contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 18, Mrs. Ffolkes-Abrahams said the figure comprised 166 cases that were unresolved at the end of...

Jamaica is currently, for the first time, seeking certification for organic production, which will be internationally recognised. This was disclosed by State Minister for Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, in her 2014/15 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on June 18, under the theme: ‘Facilitating the Growth of Industries’. She noted that the organic goods industry...

The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) is reporting an increase in the registration of trade marks by entertainers, record producers and event promoters. State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, who made the disclosure while contributing to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 18, said the increase is a result...

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, says plans to protect the genre of Reggae music under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention, continues in earnest. Reggae, which is one of Jamaica’s foremost indigenous music forms, has had a colossal impact on the world stage. Over the last 50 years, reggae...

Jamaican products and services are being repositioned to generate significant revenue earnings through the implementation of an intellectual property Geographical Indications (GI) framework. The GI is an inscription used on products that have a precise geographical origin and qualities or a reputation, as a result of that place of origin. It often consists of the name of the place of...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) secured more than $30.51 million in refunds and compensation on behalf of aggrieved consumers, during the 2013/14 financial year. For the same period, the CAC also handled a total of 1,499 consumer complaints.  Of that number, 1,229 cases were settled, giving an average resolution rate of 82 per cent. This was disclosed by State Minister...

Scores of youth in West Central St. James are being trained in entrepreneurship by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), with financing from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Last year 88 young persons were trained in business management, ethics, and marketing. Another 50 are slated to be trained this year. An unused building in Mount Salem is being renovated and...

The country’s export market access capacity has been strengthened with the accreditation of six laboratories by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC). The agency has awarded eight accreditation certificates to the six laboratories, four of which provide food testing services for the domestic and export markets, such as North and South America, and Europe, among other regions. This was...

A road rehabilitation project, valued $1.3 billion, will get underway shortly in the parish of Clarendon. The agreement, which was formalised on June 19 between the Government and Asphaltic Concrete Enterprise, and General Paving Company, will see approximately 10.5 kilometres of roadway, from Soursop Turn to Chapleton, being reconstructed and straightened. This was disclosed by Minister of Transport, Works, and...

Attorney General and Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, Hon. Patrick Atkinson, says there are plans in place to spruce up the town of Falmouth. Among the initiatives which will be undertaken are the Streetscape Enhancement project, which will involve: traffic management; proper signage to assist tourists; overhead lighting on decorative light posts; hanging plant baskets; major façade improvements; and...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is reporting a 41 per cent increase in the number of enforcement actions taken against companies and individuals in breach of the various environmental and planning laws. The number moves from 633 enforcement actions in fiscal year 2012/13 to 893 for the period 2013/14, which included Cessation Orders; Enforcement Notices; Stop Notices; and...

Attorney General, Hon. Patrick Atkinson, Q.C., says increased focus will be placed on agriculture, education, and sport in the constituency of North Trelawny. Mr. Atkinson, who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for that constituency, said the money will be taken from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to support these areas. He was making his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral...