Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment show that Jamaica received 10,000 additional stopover visitors during the 2013/14 winter tourist season. This represents a two per cent increase over the previous corresponding period. This increase, according to Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has resulted in a number of “positive trends” currently occurring in the tourism industry in...

The Ministries of Tourism and Entertainment, and Industry, Investment and Commerce, have collaborated for the development of a major economic initiative aimed at attracting more local and foreign investments into the economy. The ‘Shovel-Ready’ Project Initiative is being developed as part of efforts to pre-package a number of investment opportunities that will streamline and expedite the process of investment in...

The Government is expected to provide $1 billion in loan financing to the micro, Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) this year, as it continues to increase support to the sector. Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 21. He noted that...

The Government is currently finalising a four-year US$50 million Growth and Competitiveness loan project with the World Bank, as it continues to improve the business environment in Jamaica. Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 21. He noted that Jamaica Promotions...

The scrap metal trade exported over 67,000 metric tonnes of metal, earning over US$19.3 million last year. This has been revealed by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, who said the regulatory framework introduced, just over a year ago, has given new life to the trade. Addressing the House of Representatives in the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate, on May 21,...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says he will shortly be recommending that Cabinet removes the ban on the importation of damaged vehicles. The Minister, who was contributing to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 21, said there are opportunities in the trade and reconditioning of damaged vehicles, as a part of...

Jamaica Promotions Corporations (JAMPRO) is collaborating with the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and other stakeholders to create a concept, which will allow the development and packaging of specific projects, with most of the necessary approvals in place, before the investor makes a decision to invest. This measure is part of Government’s endeavour, to make the process of investing, easier. Minister...

Representatives of a major consortium of American, European, and Middle Eastern investors are currently in the island conducting due diligence, ahead of submitting a formal proposal for investment in several components of the Logistics Hub. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton said the consortium is mobilising equity financing in excess of US$4 billion to design, finance, build,...

Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton says the Caymanas Special Economic Zone is expected to attract large-scale investments in specific value added industries. “It is also expected, that the Caymanas Special Economic Zone will serve as a model for the development of future special economic zones across the country, in keeping with the Government of Jamaica’s growth...