Category Archives: News

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”

2020, April 7: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are being urged to become formalized to benefit from government assistance, which may help them continue their business after the threat posed by the corona virus pandemic has ended. Among the offerings announced recently by the government in the recent 2020/2021 Budget presentation, are a $375,000Continue reading “MSMEs STAND TO BENEFIT FROM FORMALIZATION”

As it continues its assistance programme to redistribute excess produce from farmers as the country faces the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has collaborated with Trade Winds Limited, manufacturers of the Tru-Juice brand of juices, to process excess fruit and vegetables. The Ministry, through RADA, last week  put systems inContinue reading “Agri Ministry collaborates with Tru-Juice to process excess produce”

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, wishes to advise the public that the Queen Conch Close Season remains in effect until February 28, 2021. This follows a scientific assessment of the Queen Conch stocks on the Pedro Bank that was conducted during October 2019. BasedContinue reading “Queen Conch Close Season Extended”

The banks, credit unions and other financial institutions have begun announcing their COVID-19 relief packages. Most Financial Institutions will be offering solutions on three main areas 1) Extension of credit terms; 2) Working capital support; and the waiving of fees. Click here for more details.

The Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is aware that there exists some amount of uncertainty in relation to animals and the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry wishes to advise that although experts currently believe that the virus originated from bats and may have passed through an intermediary animal,Continue reading “No evidence at this time that pets can transmit COVID-19”

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has made a total of $240 million available to purchase excess produce from farmers as the country faces the coronavirus (COVID-19). The move forms part of efforts by the Ministry to redistribute excess fruits and vegetables, which would have been otherwise supplied to the hotel and hospitalityContinue reading “Agriculture Ministry injects $240 million into sector in light of COVID-19”

Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Valerie Veira, says the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) provides an opportunity for micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) operators to find new ways to expand their services and meet the needs of their consumers/clients. “It is now a time to do some seriousContinue reading “COVID-19 An Opportunity For MSMEs To Innovate”

The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) is pleased to announce our signing of the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) Multi-lateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Accreditation of Inspection Bodies (IB) to the ISO/IEC 17020 standard on March 20, 2020. The extension of the Agency’s IAACContinue reading “Special Advisory on JANAAC’s International Recognition for their Inspection Body Accreditation Programmes”