The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is seeking to boost the local cosmetics industry, by capitalising on potential investment opportunities and leading trade missions to existing and potential overseas markets. Sales and Promotions Manager for Manufacturing, Energy and Mining at JAMPRO, Berletta Henlon- Forrester tells JIS News that studies undertaken by the Agency, show that the cosmetics industry is a lucrative...

Internationally, March 22 is celebrated as ‘World Water Day’, and this year the Government will begin to upgrade a water supply system in Font Hill, St. Thomas, to commemorate the day. The theme for World Water Day 2019 is ‘Leaving No One Behind’, and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, through the National Water Commission (NWC) and the...

Four of the country’s leading tertiary institutions will renew their rivalry in this year’s sixth Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) National Business Model Competition (NBMC). Fifteen teams of student entrepreneurs will showcase their innovation and budding business skills as they compete for the national award and cash prizes of up to $4 million, during the NBMC’s semi-finals and final slated...

As one of the pioneering students in the University of Technology’s (UTech) Master of Science in Integrated Rural Development, Zimbabwe national, Laina Steele, intends to use the knowledge and skills gained to contribute to the advancement of rural communities in her country. Mrs. Steele, who has a background in agriculture, was the first applicant for the programme, which began in...

The Government’s tax ‘giveback’ package of $14 billion, as outlined by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, in the 2019/20 Budget Debate in the House on March 7, continues to generate positive feedback, particularly within the business community. This and other targeted deliverables are fuelling heightened expectations among several business leaders of further economic...

The Negril area Environmental Protection Trust (NEPT) has been playing an integral role in shaping sustainable solutions for the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems in Western Jamaica. The 25-year-old organisation recently embarked on a major restoration project of Negril’s coral reefs by establishing a coral nursery in the Orange Bay Special Fishery Conservation Area in Hanover. The nursery currently...

Several young entrepreneurs have been rewarded by Total Jamaica and are now being positioned to further implement their ideas for greater economic success. Under the 2018/2019 ‘Startupper of The Year’, by Total Challenge, the youth have been compensated with more than $3 million and with coaching for the innovative nature of their projects, as well as for the social and...

More Jamaican public and private enterprises are being encouraged to sign on to the Gender Equality Seal (GES) Certification Programme. The GES for public and private enterprises is a collective effort, involving national governments, private-sector companies and civil society, to establish and achieve standards that empower women. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported initiative seeks to enhance gender equality and...

The Rock River Primary School in Clarendon now has a fully equipped learning centre, which will serve the needs of students as well as the wider community. The $10-million facility houses a library and computer room outfitted with laptop and desktop computers, multimedia projector, teaching equipment and learning aids. It was built through funding from the Japanese Government under its...