The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is adequately equipped to restore power in the event of outages due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl. This assurance was given by Director, Business Continuity, Roger Kennedy, while addressing a briefing with agencies responsible for disaster preparedness and members of the Cabinet at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1). Mr. Kennedy said all...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is pleased to announce its investment in Jamaica's first Venture Capital Fund in over 30 years. This Fund will be managed by Mscale LLC (“Mscale”), and this investment follows a rigorous ‘Call for Proposal’ that was issued by the DBJ in 2023. Mscale is a Delaware-based management company, focused on venture and permanent capital...

Usage of the online immigration and customs declaration (C5) form has seen a major uptick, thanks to the promotional efforts of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). In September 2023, it became mandatory for persons returning to the island to complete the previous paper immigration and customs declaration form online. PICA’s Business Development and Communication Director, Kauna McKenzie, told...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is reporting a noticeable increase in the number of fisherfolk being registered, which moved from 5,687 to 7,640, for a 34 per cent increase in renewals of licences. “We continue to work on that, and we do believe that some of the systems that we’ve put in place to make that...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is advising members of the public to take precautions against smoke inhalation following news of a fire at the Riverton Landfill in St Andrew. Persons with respiratory illnesses such as asthma; and other vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, are urged to limit exposure by reducing outdoor activities. Closing windows and doors is recommended until...

Come April 1, 2024, an additional 2,046 pensioners will have more disposable income through increases in the Pension Exemption and Age Relief Exemption. The exemptions will each move from $80,000 to $250,040 and will see more persons in receipt of a pension falling outside of the tax net. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke,...

Jamaica generated just over US$1.22 billion in export earnings between January and July this year. This represents a 30.6 per cent increase over the US$939.1 million earned for the corresponding period in 2022, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has reported. A statement from STATIN on Wednesday (November 22) indicated that the increased exports this year were primarily spurred by...