Manufacturing & Jobs: Seprod says Jamaica’s sugar tax and weak sales have driven a temporary, rotating layoff of 141 workers at one factory for three weeks, citing inventory build-up and the need to avoid expired stock. Tourism Finance: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme will start paying benefits to the first cohort within three years, with the fund targeting $100 billion over 10 years and already holding about $6 billion with roughly 11,000 workers registered. Agriculture & Water: Under REDI-II, the Government invested $114.59 million to upgrade irrigation at Ebony Park Agro-Park in Clarendon, including new force transmission lines and pump rehabilitation, with early production already generating $17 million. Infrastructure & Aviation: Works and Energy officials toured NMIA’s US$51m apron reconstruction, with Cemex as contractor; the project is designed in phases to keep the airport operating and is currently supporting 154 jobs. Industrial Investment: LANCO plans a new St. Catherine manufacturing facility focused on paints and adhesives, aiming to deepen its Jamaica footprint and create jobs, with MIIC and JAMPRO supporting approvals and incentives. Tourism Recovery: Bartlett reports most tourism jobs have returned after Hurricane Melissa, with hotels bringing back staff as rooms come back on stream. Roads & SPARK: The Works Ministry says SPARK’s main roads component will start this month, with $25b earmarked to rehabilitate 37 priority roads. Food Inflation Watch: Finance Minister Fayval Williams says inflation’s driver has shifted from transport costs to drought-hit food prices, pushing headline inflation to 7.9% in August. Regional Water Leadership: Can-Cara used the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum to push for climate-resilient water infrastructure and public-private delivery models.