Author Archives: donovan.saunches

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is advanced in establishing a Ganja Industry Development Task Force, which will draw on expertise from the public and private sectors and academia to provide guidance for the further growth of the industry. Among the areas of focus are rights and protection, expansion of research on medical cannabis,Continue reading “Ganja Industry Development Task Force Being Established”

Some $600 million will be pumped into the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank to enable micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to access affordable financing. This was announced by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Audley Shaw while making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday as he declared the sector was in recovery mode. JustContinue reading “$600 million support for MSMEs”

Some 20 State entities that facilitate imports and exports are earmarked for digitisation under the Jamaica Electronic Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) initiative. The JSWIFT is the one-stop facility designed to provide fully automated services to enable a single portal for access to the services of all cross-border regulatory agencies. This was stated by MinisterContinue reading “State Entities That Facilitate Imports And Exports To Be Digitised”

More than 100 informal operators in the micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector will benefit from support to transition to formal status. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Audley Shaw, said that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has provided a US$70,000 grant to undertake the formalising project. He said that the initiative willContinue reading “More Than 100 MSMEs To Benefit From Formalising Project”

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Ministry is committed to the implementation of the National Five-year Global Digital Services Strategy, to expand the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. The strategy, which is to be taken to Cabinet shortly, will facilitate promotion of the sector, enable training of students in newContinue reading “Cabinet To Receive Strategy To Expand BPO Industry”

First out the door to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has embarked on a strategic growth plan for its Jamaica operations, breaking ground for two multibillion-dollar resort investments here. A third resort, the former Jewel Runaway Bay, is to be demolished, rebranding under the family-themed Beaches. On Wednesday, the Jamaican family-ownedContinue reading “Sandals Resorts makes groundbreaking move”

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Audley Shaw, has reiterated that subsistence farmers will play a key role in the development of the local cannabis industry. “Jamaica has some of the most experienced and knowledgeable local cannabis farmers, who have been growing high-grade ganja for decades. As the industry develops, there will be increasedContinue reading “Subsistence Farmers Will Help Fill Demand In Cannabis Industry”

The annual observation of Workers’ Week signifies the importance of highlighting the historic contribution of the labour movement and workers’ rights to national development. Our predecessors have struggled, endured and fought hard-won battles to ensure every Jamaican can enjoy greater bargaining rights, improved working conditions and a more harmonious working relationship between workers and employers. Continue reading “WORKERS’ WEEK 2021”

The Hon. Audley Shaw Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce yesterday debated the Trade Marks Act in the House of Representatives which was tabled in Parliament on April 13, 2021. During his address the Minister stated “I am pleased that the Trade Mark Amendment Bill is finally, before Parliament, and look forward to greater protectionContinue reading “Tabling THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENTS) ACT – House of Representatives”

On Thursday, May 20, 2021, the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Audley Shaw, along with the Minister of State the Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn and the MIIC team, convened a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Tian Qi, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Mr. Fan Jianghoug and members of their Economic &Continue reading “Strengthening Partnerships with China for Economic and Investment Cooperation in Bamboo and emerging industries”