Category Archives: News

THE construction industry will have to adhere to a raft of new guidelines following the launch of new standards for hollow concrete blocks and ready-mixed concrete. The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) launched the updated standards on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce Aubyn Hill said, “The launch ofContinue reading “BSJ launches new concrete standards”

Approximately 200 micro and small enterprises in eight marginalised communities are set to benefit from grant support totalling $50 million. This, under the Government’s Integrated Community Development Project Phase 2 (ICDP II) being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). This will be facilitated under the ICDP II Enterprise Development Grant Project Cycle 2,Continue reading “Community enterprises get $50m support”

Jamaica Business Development Corporation, JBDC, will in April start taking applications for its essential oil incubator, through which it plans to churn out entrepreneurs to take market share away from importers. JBDC is eyeing at least a quarter of the US$40 million in annual essential oil imports flowing into Jamaica, Deputy CEO Harold Davis says.Continue reading “Update: JBDC creates incubator for essential oil producers”

RECENTLY, there have been major developments in Jamaica’s intellectual property (IP) landscape. These changes include the bringing into effect of the much-anticipated Patents and Design Act, 2020 and the Trade Marks (Amendment) Act, 2021. The Patents and Design Act came into effect on February 11, 2022. Some of the main effects of this Act includeContinue reading “New changes to Jamaica’s intellectual property landscape”

The Ministerial Oversight Coordinating Group for the staging of the World Free Zone Organization conference planned for June 13-17, 2022 at the Montego Bay Conference Centre, held a meeting at Jamaica House with JSEZA staff joining from the WFZO h/o in Dubai. L-R Ministers Robert Morgan, Ed Bartlett, Kamina Johnson Smith, Aubyn Hill and Mr.Continue reading “Ministerial Meeting re Upcoming World Free Zone Conference”

Approximately 200 micro and small enterprises in eight marginalised communities are set to benefit from grant support totalling $50 million. This, under the Government’s Integrated Community Development Project Phase 2 (ICDP II) being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). This will be facilitated under the ICDP II Enterprise Development Grant Project Cycle 2,Continue reading “$50m to Support Community Enterprises”

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has revised two Standards that stipulate specifications for building blocks and ready-mixed concrete, two key construction components. The JS 25 2011 Jamaican Standard Specification for hollow concrete blocks and the JS 133 2015 Jamaican Standard Specification for ready-mixed concrete were launched during a digital ceremony on Tuesday (March 15),Continue reading “BSJ Revises Standards For Building Blocks And Ready-Mixed Concrete”

The Government has taken several steps to protect and educate consumers, says Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn. Among the initiatives is a National Consumer Policy, coordinated by the Consumer Affairs Commission, that establishes a formal structure to enhance consumer protection policies among government ministries,Continue reading “Protection For Consumers”

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is inviting the public to participate in a virtual town hall on digital financing on Tuesday, March 15 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event, which is being held in observance of World Consumer Rights Day, will be broadcast via Zoom and streamed on the CAC’s Facebook page and the JamaicaContinue reading “CAC to Host Town Hall on Digital Financing”

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, has said that land ownership is an untapped area for economic growth and development, and requires urgent attention. The Minister, who was speaking at a recent titling ceremony for the National Land Agency (NLA) Systematic Land Registration (SLR) Programme, said that he willContinue reading “Land Ownership An Untapped Area for Economic Growth – Senator Hill”