Category Archives: News

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”

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Stephen Wedderburn addressing the 13th anniversary of the ‘Eat Jamaican’ Day Exposition at Devon House, Waterloo Road, on Friday, November 25, 2016. Seated at the head table from left are: 2016 National Farm Queen, Ms. Safiya Clennon; 1st vice president, Jamaica AgriculturalContinue reading “13th Anniversary of the ‘Eat Jamaican’ Day Exposition”

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Stephen Wedderburn (1st right) along with 2016 National Farm Queen, Ms. Safiya Clennon (1st left); Custos of Kingston, Mr. Steadman Fuller (2nd left); and President, Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Mr. Norman Grant during a tour of the exhibits at the 13th ‘EatContinue reading “Touring of the Exhibits at the 13th ‘Eat Jamaican’ Day Exposition”

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”