Jamaica
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US-based university to help develop local agricultural sector
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica says it will receive assistance from a university in the United States to develop the research capacity of the local agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke said a delegation from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University has arrived here for talks with various stakeholders and institutions, in order to familiarize themselves with existing infrastructure and…
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Jamaica uncovers scheme involving Trinidad and Tobago products
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica has imposed additional duties on lube oil product from Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the oil rich twin island republic of engaging in a scheme to circumvent the rules of origin in the Treaty of Chaguaramas, governing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton told parliament the scheme was brought to the…
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CAL to discuss route cut with Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) recorded losses estimated at US$70 million last year, Finance Minister Larry Howai has said. He told the Senate on Tuesday that the figure does not include the US$40 million in fuel subsidy to the airline, even though he insists that the airline remains solvent. But Opposition legislator Dr Lester Henry said he…
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Ban Ki-Moon’s warning not to be taken lightly!
KINGSTON, Jamaica – UNITED Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a warning to the world’s business community yesterday that, we believe, is most pertinent to Jamaica and indeed our sister Caribbean states. According to Mr Ban, economic losses linked to disasters are “out of control” and will continue to escalate unless disaster risk management becomes a core part of business…
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EDITORIAL – Getting serious about CARICOM
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Until now, the debate about Jamaica’s relationship with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been emotive and huffing. The core of the issue is Jamaica’s near US$1 billion trade deficit with the community, the bulk of which is with Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica mostly place the blame for this state of affairs on claims that Port-of-Spain breaks regional…
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Jamaica: Searching for economic stabilization
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – At the beginning of this month, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved new funding arrangements to help stabilize the Jamaican economy and put it on a path to economic growth. The negotiation of the funds, a so-called Extended Fund Facility (EFF) up to US$923M has taken an extended period, lasting from the period…
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Chicken neck, back imports undermining local production, says JB exec
KINGSTON, Jamaica – THE Jamaica Broilers Group says the large volume of chicken neck and back being imported into the island is undermining local production, not just for the company but for thousands of backyard chicken farmers. While admitting that the company cannot, by itself, satisfy local demand, Group Vice President of Accounting and Information Systems Donald Patterson said the…
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The CARICOM trade imbalance — Jamaica/T&T
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Recently, there have been a number of rash and, in some instances, derogatory letters, describing Jamaica's perceived relationship with Trinidad & Tobago (T&T). Some were whimsical and others simply vacuous. Generally, they demonstrate a lack of understanding regarding the consequences that would result if Jamaica were to demit membership of Caricom, apart from the forfeiture of the…
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New global order needed
KINGSTON, Jamaica – T TAKES just one relatively small hurricane this season to throw our International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement off course. There is no provision for that, no special fund where we can access adequate resources to offset the kind of economic dislocation which results from our natural-hazard vulnerability. Adverse changes in the global economy, too, can overturn all…
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Government pumping millions into ICT sector
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government is pumping an estimated US$20 million in the development of the information communication technology (ICT) sector, Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell has said. “Jamaica is on a growth trajectory once more. We are seeing expansion taking place, especially in Montego Bay, and we want to facilitate and encourage that.…
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