Female workers have been leading their male counterparts in the out-turns recorded in several areas of notable improvements fuelling Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 employment resurgence. The country’s spiralling employment rate, expanding workforce and rapidly plunging unemployment rate have been largely attributed to significantly increased female out-turns. Data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) April 2023 Labour Force Survey show that despite...

Jamaica possesses the necessary ingredients to emerge as a nearshore manufacturing powerhouse, with its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Regime playing a pivotal role in the process. SEZs are designated geographic areas designed to attract local and foreign investments, offering unique fiscal incentives distinct from the rest of the country. In an interview with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer (Interim) at...

Local investors and manufacturers, particularly those in agro-processing, are being encouraged to capitalise on the benefits to be derived from the recently launched hot pepper value chain project. The initiative, titled ‘Improving Phytosanitary, Food Safety and Market Access Opportunities along the Hot Pepper Value Chain in Jamaica’, evolved from a strategic collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization...

The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) kicked off phase two of its customer engagement programme with a sensitisation session, titled ‘In the Zone’, on Friday, March 10. The programme will feature several interactive educational sessions aimed at improving stakeholder engagement and heightening awareness about the efficient operation of special economic zones (SEZs) in Jamaica. Friday’s virtual session focused on...

Jamaica has added its first North African company to the growing Global Digital Services Sector, which currently has more than 70 firms. The island is also the first Caribbean country to be selected to carry out business processing, information technology (IT), innovative consulting, and multichannel CX operations for global outsourcing giant, Intelcia, located in Morocco. Intelcia is a North Africa-based...

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a negative impact on many businesses, has, in several instances, spurred entrepreneurs to act quickly and decisively in order to keep their operations up and running. One such, is owner of Neasha’s Island Vibz, Reneisha Wilson, who manufactures fruit flavoured pepper sauces, non-preservative fruit wines, and a personal care product line. Ms. Wilson embarked...

Starting a business is not an easy undertaking, especially for persons venturing into entrepreneurship for the first time. However, help is available, courtesy of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). They offer a suite of services for persons who need to get their ventures up and running. Speaking on an episode of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s...

For its contribution to service excellence, the Government of Jamaica is moving to adapt the ISO 9001:2015 quality management requirements across its ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), guided by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. Through the Strategic Public Sector Transformation Project, the Ministry has, so far, supported 24 entities to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, demonstrating the commitment of...

As Yoni Epstein reflects on his tenure as Chairman of the Global Services Skills Council (GSSC), one thing he is most proud of is that thousands of Jamaicans got the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills. Skills development is a major component of the Global Services Sector (GSS) Project, which is spearheaded by the GSSC. Mr. Epstein became chairman...