Becoming a statistician was never something that Amanda Lee had planned on doing. In fact, when the 27-year-old St. Hugh’s High School past student started the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, her career goal was to become an economist. “I did economics in sixth form, which I really enjoyed. Statistics, I kind of picked up along the way,”...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), is calling on persons to desist from the unsustainable harvesting of Pimento plants and the Bitterwood tree. Three species that are endemic to Jamaica – the Pimenta obscura, Pimenta jamaicensis and Pimenta richardii – can be found in select parts of the country, while the native plant, Pimenta dioica, can be found in...

Several business leaders are underscoring the importance of the Government’s measured approach to facilitating a gradual resumption of economic activities that have been curtailed since March, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. They argue that this is imperative to achieve a balance between the phased full reopening of the economy and preventing the possibility of spurring further potential spikes in...

Several private sector companies are implementing the safeguards and health protocols announced by the Government to contain the outbreak and reduce transmission the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is evident at businesses and financial institutions where sanitising stations have been set up or personnel assigned to administer sanitising products; space demarcations for client queues, in keeping with the social distancing policy; and...

The Government’s decision to impose nightly islandwide curfews from April 1 to April 8 to slow down the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has received the support of business leaders. The virus has, so far, claimed one life and infected 36 persons locally. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who announced the measure at Monday’s (March 30) virtual press...

Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) President, Hugh Johnson, says he is “very optimistic” that the country can recover from the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. He tells JIS News that while further slowing down of economic activity is anticipated, “I do not think an outright lockdown is looming”. “We have a cadre of leaders instituting interventions, who I...

Starting a full-service digital media agency was nowhere near Alex Morrissey’s mind when he obtained his Industrial Design degree from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Now seven years in as a young entrepreneur, the Founder and Director of Esirom Limited finds fulfilment in providing a space where skills in the creative industry can be nurtured, while at...

Several business leaders are welcoming the $18 billion in tax cuts announced by Government, saying that it will provide economic stimulus, particularly at a time when the country is dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, announced the tax breaks as he outlined how the Government will be funding...

On the eve of the opening of the 2020/21 Budget debate, the Government is being hailed for its management of the economy over the last three years, which has positioned the country on a path to achieve higher levels of growth and prosperity for its people. Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) President, Richard Pandohie, says the Administration’s stewardship has...