Several Rio Tinto Alcan Scholarship beneficiaries have expressed gratitude for the opportunity they have been afforded through the provision, to pursue training and career development in agriculture. The scholarship, which was initiated by Rio Tinto Alcan Incorporated in 2010, provides funding support for needy youth in St. Catherine, Manchester, and St. Ann who are members of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs...

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has upended normal life, but it has also unleashed the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit for which Jamaicans are known. Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Harold Davis, tells JIS News that the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) recorded its highest number of persons registering new businesses in 2020/21. Entrepreneurs and investors...

Having easy access to information about nutritional facts and ingredients of packaged food items will enable consumers to make healthier food choices and potentially reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity in Jamaica. One of the tools used to inform consumers about product content is front-of-package labelling (FOPL), which indicates that an item may contain excessive amounts of...

The Government of Jamaica has embarked on implementing a Global Logistics Hub Initiative and the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) is positioning Jamaica to capture a greater market share and increase its long-term competitiveness, through its P3+ Industries Framework. This is possible as Jamaica is in a prime geographic location to become a global logistics hub, creating easier linkages...

Effective August 23, exporters applying to the Trade Board Limited (TBL) for Certificates of Origin (COO) will be required to do so online. This is in keeping with the decision to transition from the existing manual process to an electronic service to obtain certificates. The online process will also satisfy the requirements under the respective free trade agreements, while facilitating...

There has been an increased demand for local cannabis in the global market space, as buyers from various countries seek to acquire the product for medicinal and research purposes. The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) is reporting that since the start of the year, 19 export authorisations have been issued to allow companies to ship cannabis overseas and another 21 requests...

Business industry stakeholders are optimistic about the benefits to be derived from Jamaica’s impending accession to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, also known as the Madrid Protocol. The global treaty, which is administered by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), facilitates the process of registration by trademark owners...

Jamaica has been making efforts to enhance its foreign trade and investment opportunities under the Economic Diplomacy Programme (EDP). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) and Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) to help increase the Government's trade and investment promotion efforts, through the Programme. The EDP includes marketing and...

Want to start a non-profit organisation but not sure of the steps to take? The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) has provided a detailed guide to make the process easy and ensure success. Non-profits are legal entities created to provide a particular service for the benefit of the general public, and they enjoy some tax exemptions. In order for an...