Author Archives: donovan.saunches

FAO and IICA facilitated an unprecedented hemispheric meeting to strengthen the response of 34 countries of the Americas to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. April 22, 2020, Santiago, Chile— Ministers and Secretaries of Agriculture of 34 countries of the Americas met remotely today to share their policies, actions, and plans to address the impact of theContinue reading “Ministers and Secretaries of Agriculture of 34 countries of the Americas coordinate actions to guarantee food against COVID-19”

State Minister for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, says the 50 per cent cut in export-related fees and charges will enable more businesses to tap into the export market and boost Jamaica’s competitiveness internationally. The reduction in the fees came into effect on April 1. It was implemented by the Jamaica AgriculturalContinue reading “Cut In Export Fees A Boost For Manufacturers – Floyd Green”

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Ministry is spending some $100 million on a programme aimed at mitigating the impact of drought on farmers and to gain at least a five-per cent growth in food production. He said the programme will be carried out over a 12-month period, targetingContinue reading “Minister Shaw Announces $100-Million Programme To Ramp Up Food Production”

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), has identified several investment and export opportunities that can be pursued for national growth and development, after the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The areas cited by the country’s investment and export promotion agency include: manufacturing, agriculture and agribusiness, logistics services, e-commerce, the global services sector (GSS) and other information technology (IT)-enabled services,Continue reading “JAMPRO Identifies Investment And Export Opportunities”

Several micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have answered the Government’s call to provide innovative solutions in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) by producing protective face masks. Technical Services Manager, Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Colin Porter, tells JIS News the Corporation has been working with its MSME clients to produce face masks using theContinue reading “Several MSMEs Making Face Masks”

Jamaica is “still open for business”, even as the Government continues to prioritise the health and safety of its citizens. This is the message from State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green. “Even with our emphasis and priority on keeping our citizens safe, ensuring that we take theContinue reading “Industry State Minister Says Country Still Open For Business”

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, has commended farmers across the country for ensuring that there is a consistent supply of food items in the island in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the virtual launch of Farmer’s Month 2020, at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in Kingston on AprilContinue reading “Shaw commends farmers for consistent supply of food in light of COVID-19 pandemic”

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is launching a weekly series of webinars called ‘JBDC Virtual Biz Zone’, for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with the first session scheduled for Tuesday, April 7. Speaking with JIS News, JBDC’s Corporate Communications Manager, Suzette Campbell, said the organisation would be emphasising business continuity as industries grappleContinue reading “JBDC Begins Series Of Webinars For MSMEs On April 7”

President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, says Jamaica’s agriculture sector will be key to the country’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. She told JIS News that the large acreages of land currently under production, as well as the linkages with other sectors, present a number of opportunities for Jamaican entrepreneursContinue reading “Agriculture Sector To Play Key Role In Country’s Recovery”

The Government has secured a buyer for half of the excess amount of Irish potato produced by small farmers. Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, said the purchase of 400,000 pounds of Irish potatoes by the Clarendon-based Dencon Foods Limited is significant, as the farmers areContinue reading “Government Secures Local Buyer For Excess Irish Potato”