AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Investment: Jamaica’s first casino gaming licence was awarded to Adamas Grand Casino for the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Green Island, Hanover, with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett expecting casino operations ahead of the winter peak and signalling more integrated resort interest. Education & Skills: The education ministry is expanding STEM and special education support, including construction of new STEM academies and upgrades to science labs. Community Safety & Youth: The U.S.-funded CREATE Project is launching a $36.8-million renovation of four community spaces in hot spot areas to boost safety and structured youth activities. Disaster Recovery: $1.3b is being invested to rebuild and expand hurricane-ravaged Westmoreland primary schools, with major works progressing at Petersfield. Business Environment: JSEZA will digitise its SEZ application process to track the journey from application to approval and cut bottlenecks. Food & Trade: A Supreme Court ruling struck out a claim over 2,237 cases of frozen chicken feet, after finding the local shipping agent wasn’t a party to the contract. Agriculture & Enforcement: The APB says it has recovered over $9m in stolen agricultural produce and is using NAITS and routine abattoir inspections to curb agricultural crime. Local Enterprise: A new Montego Bay High School for Girls student, Thaejadore Kerr, won Junior Minister of Tourism after a public speaking competition. Sports & Culture: Dream Wknd is set to bring 30,000+ patrons to Montego Bay, while Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle and international athletes headline Commonwealth Games action in Glasgow.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: Jamaica hosted the International Seabed Authority assembly, where the IMO Secretary-General made a historic first visit, even as the ISA extended a controversial exploration contract and still hasn’t finalised rules for commercial deep-sea mining. Maritime & Trade: The IMO chief met Jamaica’s maritime institutions and port operators in Kingston, spotlighting the island’s role in governance, training and shipping. Shipping Disaster Fallout: In Guyana, the captain and senior crew of the MV Barima ferry were charged with murder and remanded as search efforts continue for missing passengers. Agri-Security & Food Safety: Jamaica’s Agricultural Protection Branch says it has recovered over $9 million in stolen produce since 2025 and is running routine abattoir inspections islandwide using tech like JamaicaEye and body cameras. Tourism & Business Growth: Juici Patties has started scouting franchise operators for Trinidad and Tobago, targeting about 20 outlets. Local Culture & Literacy: JAMCOPY launched a national call for Jamaican children’s books, with selected titles to be placed in all 13 parish libraries. Health System Progress: A PIOJ report says Jamaica kept healthcare services running through Hurricane Melissa’s disruption, including field hospitals and progress on electronic health records.

Education & Reconstruction: Westmoreland’s Hurricane Melissa school repairs are set to cost about $1 billion for at least two schools, with Petersfield Primary and Infant making progress as roofs and windows are lined up for the September term. Investment & Immigration: Jamaica’s economic residency plan for qualifying foreign investors is edging toward Parliament, but key details like investment amounts, job targets and eligible assets are still being kept under wraps. Agriculture & Water Security: RADA is pushing e-farming and drone-enabled crop-loss checks, while the National Irrigation Commission urges farmers to use subsidised water filling stations as rainfall dips in some parishes. Energy Transition: Jamaica is aiming for 50% renewable electricity by 2030, with renewed calls to fix “rules of the game” that still favour fossil-fuel systems. Business & Industry: Derrimon Trading plans to sell Drax Hall lands to a Different Capital-managed REIT at a steep discount to appraised value, and Jamaica Broilers’ long-time chairman Robert Levy has stepped down, with an independent director taking over. Tourism & Skills: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett heads to Canada for a Caribbean tourism resilience symposium, while Grace & Staff’s Digital Content Creation Camp is building future-ready talent. Tech & Finance: An IMF warning flags how AI-driven lending and risk models could amplify financial shocks—relevant as more firms roll out AI tools in Jamaica.

Agriculture & Water Security: Farmers are being urged to use National Irrigation Commission (NIC) water filling stations, with water subsidised 75% so farmers pay 25%, supporting food and nutrition security during lower-than-average rainfall. Agri-Innovation & Skills: The College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) hosted an OECS SKIP study tour, spotlighting climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, workforce development and research. SME & Product Value-Add: Government will meet the Castor Oil Association and honey producers to explore geographical indication (GI) protection to boost local competitiveness and marketing. Pension Investment Policy: A private-sector voice at Radio Jamaica says Jamaica should relax rules on how pension funds invest overseas to widen diversification and reduce longevity risk. Maritime & Disaster Governance: Guyana’s President named a five-member international Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy; questions are also being raised about whether the probe addresses key policy decisions. Jobs & Automation: A global report says AI is already cutting customer service roles as companies roll out automated chat and phone systems. Housing & Infrastructure: Portmore Resilience Park faces a revised completion timeline, while residents in Kingston 8 warn of poor road repairs linked to large real estate projects.

Tourism Resilience: The Caribbean Tourism Organization will send a delegation to Toronto for the Canadian–Caribbean Tourism Resilience Symposium (July 29-30), with Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett set to deliver the keynote on climate adaptation, workforce resilience, crisis readiness, digital innovation and financing. Diaspora & Consular Services: Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith has appointed Roderick Oliver Mair as Jamaica’s next Consul-General in New York, covering 33 US states plus concurrent accreditation to Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Industrial Planning: Jamaica’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Master Plan is moving through stakeholder consultations, aiming to guide where future SEZs and export-focused clusters will be developed. Infrastructure Delivery: The Portmore Resilience Park project is now expected to finish in the third quarter of fiscal 2026/27 (Oct–Dec 2026), after $2.6 billion was already spent. AI Skills Pipeline: UTech has welcomed the first cohort (100 students) into its one-year Associate Degree in Artificial Intelligence, anchored by the National AI Lab at Papine. Security & Jobs: Jamaica’s National Security Council says it will intensify action against lottery scamming amid pressure on the global services sector. Agriculture & Labour: Jamaica and Canada reaffirmed plans for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme ahead of the 2027 season, focusing on welfare and programme integrity.

SEZ Master Plan: Jamaica is moving toward a nationally coordinated industrial development strategy with its first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Master Plan, guiding where future investments, industrial clusters and export-focused industries will be developed. Digital Services Security: The National Security Council says it will intensify action against lottery scamming as Jamaica’s global services sector shrinks, approving legislative and policy reforms to modernise laws and strengthen penalties. AI Skills Pipeline: UTech has welcomed the first cohort of 100 students into a one-year Associate Degree in Artificial Intelligence, linked to the National AI Lab at Papine and delivered with HEART/NSTA Trust. Agri Compliance: Two St Catherine men were fined $100,000 each for Agricultural Produce Act receipt breaches involving cassava tubers, with a third man warrant-issued after failing to appear. Maritime Accountability: Guyana’s MV Barima inquiry is set to examine whether negligence or failures contributed to the ferry tragedy, with a five-member international commission including a Maritime Authority of Jamaica specialist. Jamaica-Canada Farm Work: Jamaica and Canada reaffirmed plans for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, including preparations for the 2027 season and steps to strengthen worker welfare and programme integrity. Consular Leadership: Oliver Mair has been appointed Jamaica’s next Consul-General in New York, taking over from his Miami post. Tourism Tax Watch: Tourism leaders are bracing for a proposed General Consumption Tax increase, with knock-on effects feared for domestic agriculture and manufacturing that supply the sector.

Maritime Safety & Accountability: Guyana President Irfaan Ali has named a five-member Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima ferry disaster, with Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith (Belize) as chair and commissioners including Jamaica’s Captain Hamada Fouda and maritime law expert Nyree Dawn Alfonso (Trinidad & Tobago), tasked with examining causes, vessel loading, passenger boarding, onboard conditions, and rescue response. Renewable Energy Investment: Wigton Energy has appointed Mayberry Investments for financial advisory and brokerage as it moves to expand generation capacity via two utility-scale solar projects under JPS power purchase agreements. Labour Migration: Jamaica’s Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. says the annual review of the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme will be held in Jamaica in November, focusing on working/living conditions and possible expansion. Tourism & Consumer Deals: Tourism continues to rebound post-Hurricane Melissa, with hotels reportedly cutting prices and offering promotions, including a widely shared example of a Negril stay showing a $123 nightly rate. Cultural Industries: Kingston Creative becomes the first Caribbean NGO to win a UNESCO-Aschberg grant for an 18-month CARE programme to protect artists’ freedom and economic security. Legal/Entertainment: A Supreme Court judge has fast-tracked Derrick Morgan’s libel and defamation lawsuit against his daughter Queen Ifrica, with a pre-trial hearing set for December 11. Environment & Community: Volunteers removed 1,022 pounds of waste from Trinidad’s Cunupia River mangroves, highlighting the role of wetlands in biodiversity and tourism.

Tourism Deals: White Sands Negril is advertising select nights at about US$123, a sign Jamaica hotels are getting more aggressive with pricing and offers as visitor demand rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa. Maritime Accountability: Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has named a five-member Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima ferry tragedy, including Jamaica’s Captain Hamada Fauda; the panel will examine causes, loading, boarding, onboard conditions, and search-and-rescue. Food & Community: Houlton’s International Food Festival drew 32 nations and highlighted Jamaica among the Caribbean and global mix. Labour Migration: Jamaica’s participation in the Overseas Employment Programme rose 4.8% in 2025 to 15,169 workers, with the Canadian and US farm and hospitality streams driving the gains. Agribusiness Watch: St James beekeepers warn Hurricane Melissa’s damage could trigger a honey shortage by year-end. Policy & Industry: Minister Aubyn Hill cautioned that ganja remains a Schedule 1 drug, warning of international legal risks for flights and trade. Sports Funding: Digicel Foundation awarded $650,000 to Total Football Academy after it won a social media skills challenge. Disaster Recovery: Health Ministry says technical assessments of Hurricane Melissa-damaged facilities are underway in western Jamaica to guide what gets rebuilt or replaced. Fire Safety: St Catherine Fire Brigade chief urges residents to prevent bush fires amid hot, dry conditions.

Tech & Innovation: Tech Beach Retreat is launching TBRX, its 10th anniversary edition (Dec 2-5, 2026) in Montego Bay, aiming to accelerate Caribbean AI, entrepreneurship, investment and digital transformation. Disaster Recovery & MSMEs: Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Aubyn Hill says government will “tie down” $1b for Hurricane Melissa-hit micro-businesses this week, with options like WiPay to speed payouts. Education & School Placement: JAPSS head Anniona Jones warns parents to think carefully before requesting PEP transfers, saying overcrowding and “intervention school” labels can harm students and strain resources. Public Safety: St Catherine fire chief Patrick Callum urges bush-fire prevention as extreme heat drives 139 bush fires in June, with Spanish Town and Waterford hardest hit. Transport & Logistics: A Trelawny crash on the North Coast Highway killed seven after a bus drifted into the path of a truck, renewing calls for stronger road-safety prevention. Agribusiness: Honey production faces a possible end-of-year shortage as Hurricane Melissa destroyed nectar trees and left bees unable to store reserves. Tourism & Culture: Dream Weekend plans its Montego Bay debut, while NDTC will close its 2026 season in western Jamaica for the first time outside Kingston.

Overseas Work Push: Jamaica’s participation in the Overseas Employment Programme rose 4.8% in 2025 to 15,169 workers, with the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme now employing about 10,000 Jamaicans yearly and generating roughly $1.7b for the economy. Disaster Recovery & Health: Technical assessments of Hurricane Melissa-damaged health facilities are underway in western Jamaica, with engineering firms already deployed to decide what gets rebuilt, replaced or abandoned. Energy & Grid Resilience: IDB Invest has lined up an US$80m loan for JPS grid recovery, aiming to strengthen power reliability after recent shocks. Agriculture & Food Safety: Jamaica is stepping up inspections and plant quarantine surveillance to block Cyclosporiasis linked to US iceberg lettuce. Local Industry & Environment: Juici Patties wins Green Business Jamaica Gold again for a fifth straight year, while Visual Vibe calls for balanced municipal regulation as councils tighten rules on digital outdoor advertising. Public Safety: St Catherine’s fire chief urges residents to prevent bush fires as dry conditions drive 139 bush fires in June.

Tourism Workforce: JHTA set up a Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee to build a future-ready talent pipeline as new hotel rooms come on stream. Energy Finance: JPS is seeking an IDB corporate loan of up to US$80m for liquidity and Hurricane Melissa restoration, with a decision due Aug. 7. Harbour Development: Kingston Harbour Walk Project moved ahead with signing for segment two feasibility and detailed design work, aiming to connect downtown Kingston to Port Royal via a continuous 25-km promenade. Agriculture & Food Safety: Jamaica’s Plant Quarantine Branch tightened surveillance to keep out cyclosporiasis amid a US outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce. Insurance Watch: IAJ urged property owners to review coverage under the “average clause,” warning underinsurance can cut Melissa payouts. Creative Economy: Kingston Creative became the first Caribbean NGO to win UNESCO-Aschberg funding for a regional artist resilience programme. Labour Migration: Jamaica will review the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme in November, citing growth to about 10,000 workers yearly and $1.7b in annual economic impact. Outdoor Advertising: Visual Vibe called for a balanced approach as municipal corporations tighten rules on digital screens.

Hurricane Recovery: The Ministry of Health and Wellness says engineering teams have started technical assessments of facilities damaged by Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica, with parish consultations expected after drawings and estimates are completed. Food Safety & Trade: Jamaica’s Plant Quarantine and Produce Inspection Branch has tightened surveillance at the border to stop Cyclosporiasis from entering, tracking US suppliers amid an outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce. Tourism & Data: Dunn’s River Falls and Park is rolling out free Wi-Fi that doubles as a Tourism Enhancement Fund research tool, feeding visitor insights for planning and investment. Urban Development: The Government has signed for segment two of the Kingston Harbour Walk Project, moving feasibility and detailed design work toward a 25-kilometre promenade from downtown Kingston to Port Royal. Hospitality Investment: Marriott has signed deals for a Montego Bay all-inclusive resort (opening 2028) and a Zanzibar all-inclusive under Autograph Collection (opening 2027). Workforce for Tourism: JHTA has formed a Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee to build a future-ready talent pipeline as new hotel rooms come on stream. Creative Economy: Kingston Creative becomes the first Caribbean NGO to win a UNESCO-Aschberg grant, launching an 18-month CARE programme for artists’ resilience and economic security. MSME & Jobs Pressure: New confidence data shows Jamaicans are less upbeat about job availability, with rising costs and weaker remittances weighing on spending plans.

Housing & Energy Efficiency: JPNDC’s Mildred Hailey Apartments Building 2 project has earned Phius Passive House Design Certification, adding momentum to a wider Centre Street Partners redevelopment that will deliver 420 new affordable and middle-income units. Maritime Security: India’s EAM S. Jaishankar told the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila that attacks on merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure are “unacceptable,” calling for safe international waterways and “zero tolerance” for terrorism. Private Security Industry: Jamaica’s private security sector is expanding, with 331 registered or renewed organisations and 30,013 registered guards, investigators and trainers recorded as of 2025. Logistics & Distribution: Bryden pi is set to relocate warehouse operations to The Brydens Group’s 250,000 sq ft Chaguanas distribution hub, supporting a third-party logistics model for regional pharmaceutical supply. Urban Development: UDC has signed a consultancy contract to advance Kingston Harbour Walk Project Segment 2, covering feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for a ~10km stretch from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to Harbour View. Forestry & Community Health: Registration is open for the Forestry Department’s inaugural Urban Forest Run (Aug 23), with proceeds aimed at restoring forests damaged by Hurricane Melissa. Agriculture & IP: Minister Aubyn Hill will meet castor oil and honey producers to explore geographical indications to boost product value and competitiveness. Creative Industries: Kingston Creative becomes the first Caribbean NGO to win a UNESCO-Aschberg grant, funding a regional CARE programme to strengthen artists’ resilience and freedom.

Deep-Sea Mining Push Under Fire: Greenpeace says the International Seabed Authority extended The Metals Company’s exploration contract despite ongoing concerns, and points to ITLOS refusing to halt the inquiry—renewing calls for an immediate moratorium. Disaster Recovery Housing Delays: Permanent Secretary Rocky Meade told Parliament that land titling issues are still slowing delivery of modular homes for Hurricane Melissa victims, even as about 1,200 units are already in Jamaica. Forestry & Jobs Through Community Fitness: The Forestry Department launched its inaugural Urban Forest Run (Aug 23), with proceeds supporting mangrove and forest restoration after Hurricane Melissa. Education & AI Integrity: Principals warn students can’t lose academic integrity as AI use grows, pushing for responsible use rather than outright rejection. Tourism & Culture Funding: Kingston Creative won a UNESCO-Aschberg grant for a regional artist resilience programme, backing artists’ rights and disaster preparedness. Maritime Security Talk: India’s Jaishankar urged zero tolerance for terrorism and safer international waterways at the ASEAN Regional Forum. Food Industry Spotlight: Hackney Wick’s UK Jerk Fest (July 25-26) highlights Jamaican jerk brands and vendors, with a public vote for the top jerk seller.

Water & Roads: Thames Water crews are repairing a burst 36-inch trunk main on Jamaica Road, SE1, causing flooding and partial closures; supplies are restored for most customers, with possible lower pressure during peak hours. Reggae & Tourism/Industry: Harbourfront Centre in Toronto will host the official launch of Reggae Month Canada during Island Soul, expanding in 2027 with performances, education, an industry conference and youth mentorship. Road Safety & Standards: The JN Foundation is urging tougher enforcement of Jamaica’s new motorcycle helmet standard and stronger port inspections to stop substandard and counterfeit helmets. Disaster Recovery & Housing: Government says modular homes are on standby as emergency shelters for the next hurricane season, with 1,200 units already in-country under a US$29m procurement. Agriculture & Water Security: Minister Floyd Green broke ground for the US$80m Hartlands Irrigation Project in St Catherine to boost water access and climate resilience for farmers. Health Systems & Operations: Kingston Public Hospital says it has fixed operational issues affecting stationery and laundry services, including commissioning new printers and expanding linen transport capacity. MSME & Digital Payments: MangoErrands launches a mobile payments platform letting diaspora senders earmark funds to verified Jamaican vendors for essentials like school supplies and utilities. Creative Sector Funding: Kingston Creative becomes the first Caribbean NGO to win a UNESCO-Aschberg grant for an 18-month CARE programme supporting artists’ rights, economic security and disaster preparedness. Energy Costs: Petrojam’s 87-octane billing price rises 37% since January, with another weekly increase taking effect Thursday.

Agriculture & Water Security: Minister Floyd Green broke ground for the $80M Hartlands Irrigation Project in St. Catherine, a mini-pressurised system to serve 41 farmers now and expand to 400+ acres in about three months, aimed at boosting resilience as rainfall becomes less reliable. Climate Preparedness: RADA is urging farmers to keep conserving and storing water as El Niño strengthens, warning drought can quickly dry forages and force difficult herd decisions. Food & Farm Health: Jamaica’s agriculture ministry is intensifying checks on imported produce amid the US cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, with stronger border-screening and sampling. Energy & Household Costs: Petrojam says 87-octane is up 37% since January, with another weekly fuel increase set for Thursday, while Petrojam chairman Metry Seaga also put the fuel subsidy bill at about US$18M. Regulated Cannabis: The Cannabis Licensing Authority opened new headquarters in Kingston to improve service delivery and reduce barriers for participants in the medicinal cannabis industry. Public Accountability: ODPEM says it is closing administrative gaps flagged by the Auditor General to strengthen transparency and accountability after Hurricane Melissa. Tourism & Connectivity: Liat Air launched a new twice-weekly Montego Bay–Guadeloupe route, adding to Sangster International’s network push. Business & Skills: Media leaders called for an overhaul of communications training to better prepare graduates for AI-driven newsroom and PR changes. Education Integrity: CXC’s SBA overhaul is rolling out with expectations of short-term pass-rate adjustment as students and teachers adapt.