Author Archives: donovan.saunches

Four private- and public-sector bodies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), agreeing to work together to grow national exports to US$2.5 billion by 2020. Jamaica currently exports approximately US$1.6 billion in goods and services. The bodies that will be collaborating are the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), Jamaica Manufacturers AssociationContinue reading “Entities Partner to Grow Exports”

Vice President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Mr. Dennis Cohen (right) presenting a copy of the PSOJ’s 2016 Corporate Governance Code to Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda during the launch of the Code at the PSOJ’s offices, Hope Road, on Thursday, December 1, 2016. Looking on isContinue reading “Launch of PSOJ’s 2016 Corporate Governance Code”

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Hon. Karl Samuda (1st left) on a visit at the Newport Fersan plant, Wherry Wharf, Kingston on November 30, 2016. Looking on (L-R) are Acting Permanent Secretary, MICAF, Mr. Reginald Budhan; Director General (MICAF), Mr. Don McGlashan and Managing Director, Newport Fersan, Mr. Dennis Valdez.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (right) taking a close look at a bag of fertilizer while on tour of Newport Fersan on November 30, 2016. Assisting the Minister is Managing Director of Newport Fersan, Mr. Dennis Valdez.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (centre) endorsing the United for Exports Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing with partnering agencies: Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), JAMPRO and Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) at the Ministry’s New Kingston office on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. From left are: President, JEA,Continue reading “United for Exports MOU Signing”

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Caribbean region are to benefit from a technical cooperation project that will enable them to generate wealth from their intellectual entrepreneurial assets (IEA). Dubbed the Regional Entrepreneurial Asset and Commercialization Hub (REACH), the project will provide capacity building, training and mentorship in technology commercialisation; creative industries intellectual assetContinue reading “SMEs to Benefit from Caribbean Entrepreneurial Asset and Commercialisation Project”

Jamaica’s food import bill continues its downward trend, with data indicating that there was a 0.7 per cent reduction or US$2.4 million for the period January to May 2016. This was noted by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, in a message read by Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, StephenContinue reading “Food-Import Bill Trending Down”

The Government is exploring a range of non-traditional products to market overseas, as part of a deliberate strategy to expand exports. Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence, said there is high demand for sweet potato, melon, mango, pineapple, yam, dasheen, pepper, pumpkin, herbs, spices and nutraceuticals. HeContinue reading “Gov’t Exploring Non-Traditional Products for Export”

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and First Angels Jamaica (FAJ) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), under which micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will receive assistance to deliver winning business pitches. The FAJ is an angel investor group that backs the start-up ventures of aspiring local entrepreneurs. JBDC Deputy Chief ExecutiveContinue reading “JBDC Partners with First Angels Jamaica to Assist MSMEs”