AGP Executive Report

Education Recovery Watch: Jamaica’s Ministry of Education says 57 of 309 severely damaged schools from Hurricane Melissa are fully repaired, with 95 more due by end of September and 34 by end of December, as officials weigh adding overseas contractors to fix grade-one contractor shortages. Road Safety & Delivery Risk: Works Minister Robert Morgan says the Montego Bay Perimeter Road is paused after engineer Clifton James was crushed, with a public update expected on whether the end-of-September deadline holds. Local Construction Progress: Petersfield Primary in Westmoreland is 98% complete, with contractor Archistruct reporting near-finish on seven school projects. Food & Farming: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green pushes back on claims that 55% of Jamaicans are hungry, while the Desnoes and Geddes Foundation donates 300 water drums via RADA to help 75 Portland farmers cope with drought. Business Support for Creators: WIPO and JIPO launch a scaled-up Intellectual Property Management Clinic for MSMEs to protect and commercialise brands and inventions. Tourism Partnerships: Edmund Bartlett drives talks with Saudi Fund for Development on tourism training and post-Melissa reconstruction cooperation. Culture & Entertainment: LAB Studios’ vertical drama “The Marriage Clause” is now streaming on Mansa, and Sean Paul is set for three South Africa shows in December. Gaming Compliance: Jamaica’s Casino Gaming Commission readies anti-money laundering safeguards ahead of the first casino opening, flagging FATF red risks.

Kingston Arts Push: Kingston International Festival (KIF) 2026, themed “Feel the Pulse of Kingston,” runs Dec 6–13 and will turn galleries, studios, hotels and even abandoned buildings into a citywide showcase of Jamaican creativity, with highlights including a Reggae Marathon and National Gallery opening night. Homeownership via Housing Programme: The New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) delivered a three-bedroom home to Kingston Central beneficiary Andrea Burke, handing over keys in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Entrepreneur IP Support: JIPO launched a scaled-up Intellectual Property Management Clinic with WIPO support, offering mentorship and training so MSMEs can protect and commercialise brands and inventions. School Infrastructure Upgrade: Prince Avenue Basic School in St Catherine received a full electrical rewiring and upgrades, including new circuits, lighting and a certificate of compliance for safer learning. Climate Resilience Funding: CABRIC will provide Bahamian organisations access to grant funding for coastal resilience projects, with Jamaica among participating countries and grant sizes ranging from US$150,000 to US$500,000. Water Security Investment: Rural Water Supply Limited commissioned the $91-million Bunkers Hill Water Supply System in Clarendon, adding solar-powered supply and new tanks and pipelines for about 1,000 residents. Digital Currency Update: Bank of Jamaica reported its digital currency value in circulation fell by $15 million in August to $279.2 million, with usage still constrained by limited merchant acceptance. STEM Teacher Training: SRC is seeking more partners to expand its Summer Attachment Programme for STEM teachers, citing rising demand and capacity limits for educational tours. Tourism Tech Focus: Tourism Awareness Week (Sept 27–Oct 3) will spotlight AI and digital tools to “redesign tourism,” with activities across the island. Manufacturing/Distribution Growth: PriceSmart took over the former Nestlé Ferry Pen distribution complex in St Catherine to strengthen supply and prepare to expand its Jamaican warehouse club network.

Slavery Reparations Push: Jamaica has formally petitioned King Charles III seeking Privy Council legal consideration of Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and whether a remedy is owed. Industrial Investment: Wisynco Group says it will spend up to $5 billion over three years to expand manufacturing capacity and warehouse space. Energy & Renewables: Rubis will install an 8 MW solar plant in Jamaica as it reports strong first-half performance in the Caribbean. Logistics & Exports: Government is seeking investors to lease and rehabilitate the AMC Export Complex in Kingston, with expressions of interest due September 30. Hurricane Melissa Recovery: Sandals Foundation’s $214-million school restoration drive is bringing rebuilt, re-roofed and solar-equipped facilities back online, while teachers’ groups warn some western schools still aren’t ready. Accountability in Recovery: PM Holness launched the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee, citing fear of scrutiny as a drag on procurement speed. Workplace Safety Fraud: An IDT order halted industrial action threats in the tanker sector tied to a Rubis dispute, while separate US-linked reporting highlights fake construction safety badges sold for $500. Tourism Leadership: Edmund Bartlett’s appointment as co-chair of WEF Tourism Day 2026 spotlights Jamaica’s resilience work.

Tourism & Trade: Jamaica’s tourism push stays front and centre as JAPEX 2026 returns to Ocho Rios (Sept. 14–17), with Minister Edmund Bartlett saying about 80% of hotels are reopened and more are due in early 2027. Business & Skills: Industry Minister Aubyn Hill urged firms to “build bridges” via education-to-employment links, lower energy costs, logistics, and smarter tech to reach global markets. Education & Resilience: Post-Hurricane Melissa school recovery is still uneven: NET is funding temporary classrooms at Maggotty High and easing overcrowding at other sites, while Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon says repairs must follow ministry protocols after Balcombe Drive Primary concerns. STEM Focus: Educators are being encouraged to expand STEM learning across all career paths, with SRC stressing the cross-cutting value for every industry. Finance & Remittances: JN Money and WapiPay are partnering to expand remittance options for Jamaicans, including cash collection and bank deposits. Energy & Industry: The IDT ordered Rubis tanker drivers to return to work Tuesday after an industrial dispute. Safety & Compliance: A Brooklyn case alleges fake construction safety cards sold to workers without required training—highlighting the cost of shortcuts in safety systems.

Tourism & Trade: Jamaica is gearing up for JAPEX 2026 in Ocho Rios (Sept. 14–17), with Minister Edmund Bartlett saying about 80% of hotels are reopened and the rest are expected back by early 2027, while Jamaica’s tourism posted 2.34 million visitors and US$2.5b revenue through August. Education Infrastructure: The National Education Trust is rebuilding schools for resilience through structural integrity checks and upgraded “green” standards, as the new school year opens with 99.7% of schools operating; still, some campuses are using temporary classrooms after Hurricane Melissa. Back-to-School Support: The S Hotel Foundation is providing J$1.5m in grants (J$25,000–J$50,000) for children of tourism workers whose hotels remain closed. Transport & School Access: Montego Bay Metro faces driver shortages affecting routes, while the Rural School Bus Programme rolls out buses in St. Thomas and the wider rural network. Labour & Energy: The IDT orders Rubis tanker drivers to return to work Tuesday after industrial action, as negotiations continue. Public Health: A new Global School-Based Health Survey flags rising childhood obesity, with overweight up to 31.7% among adolescents. Safety & Compliance: Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon warns schools not to do repairs outside ministry protocols, following concerns at Balcombe Drive Primary.

School Safety & Infrastructure: Balcombe Drive Primary in Waterhouse, St. Andrew is deemed safe for classes to resume Tuesday after reconstruction and clean-up following a building collapse that killed a worker. Transport & Education Logistics: Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says school bus operations for the 2026/27 term started smoothly, with 99 buses on 86 routes serving 126 schools, and rural rollout continuing in St. Thomas. Road Accountability: Government confirms it’s still committed to the demerit points system, extending the compliance period after a task force review amid ticket backlog concerns. Tourism & Recovery: Jamaica Tourism reports 2.34 million visitors through August 31 generating about US$2.5b, but with room inventory still limited after Hurricane Melissa. Energy & Cost Pressures: The IMF warns Middle East conflict could hit oil-importing developing countries like Jamaica via higher energy prices and slower growth. Science & Agriculture: UWI’s new gamma irradiator at ICENS is opening research and agricultural applications, including sterile insect technique work against Aedes aegypti. Trade & Investment: Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith will promote the island at China’s 26th Investment and Trade Fair in Xiamen. Reparations Push: Jamaica steps up its slavery reparations campaign by petitioning King Charles III to refer legal questions to the Privy Council.

Hurricane Recovery: Jamaica has signed J$1.05 billion (US$6.6m) in contracts to build 268 semi-permanent homes for families hit by Hurricane Melissa, with DT Brown Construction delivering 143 units in Westmoreland and Southland Construction 125 in St Elizabeth, aiming for early on-site results within two months. Education Resilience: The Education Ministry says 688 schools were damaged by Melissa, including 313 severely, with $26 billion earmarked for repairs and reconstruction as classes restart under upgraded facilities. Tourism Growth: JAMVAC is pushing beyond ports by partnering with top international cruise travel sellers, reporting 632,100 cruise arrivals in Jan–May 2026 (down 2.9% year-on-year), while Ocho Rios stakeholders staged a major cleanup and beautification drive to protect the resort town’s appeal. Industry & Skills: The Tourism Enhancement Fund selected 15 entrepreneurs for its Tourism Innovation Incubator (from 218 applicants), with a seven-month push on market validation and investment readiness, including AI prototype development. Energy & Jobs: JPS Foundation awarded $21.8m in scholarships to students across mining communities, including engineering support at UTech. Governance & Rights: Jamaica’s reparations petition to King Charles is set to be presented to the Privy Council for advisory consideration on slavery legality and UK responsibility.

Disaster Housing: Jamaica has signed J$1.05 billion (US$6.6m) in contracts to build 268 semi-permanent homes for families hit by Hurricane Melissa, with 143 units in Westmoreland and 125 in St Elizabeth, targeting early visible progress within two months. Tourism Clean-Up: Ocho Rios stakeholders, led by the Destination Assurance Council and TPDCo, joined a major cleanup and beautification drive to protect the resort town’s appeal. Media Welfare: State Minister Abka Fitz-Henley called for action-oriented steps to improve journalists’ welfare and remuneration, citing the legacy of broadcaster Dervan Malcolm. Education & Skills: JPS Foundation and JWN Foundation both pushed scholarships and grants—JPS backed engineering at UTech, while JWN reported 211 scholarships worth $21.8m. Tourism Innovation: The Tourism Enhancement Fund selected 15 entrepreneurs for its Tourism Innovation Incubator, starting a seven-month push to make tourism-linked products and services investment-ready. Agriculture & Food Prices: Drought pressures continue, with reports of food production cuts and rising market prices.

Hurricane Melissa Housing Contracts: Government has signed J$1.05 billion (US$6.6m) in contracts to build 268 semi-permanent homes for families hit by Hurricane Melissa, with DT Brown Construction building 143 units in Westmoreland and Southland Construction building 125 in St Elizabeth, aiming for completion within 12 months. Tourism Innovation Push: The Tourism Enhancement Fund selected 15 entrepreneurs for Cohort Three of the Tourism Innovation Incubator (from 218 applicants), starting a ~7-month programme with capacity building, market validation and investment readiness, including AI-powered prototype development. Education Funding for Industry Communities: JWN Foundation says 374 scholarship applications came in for 2026, up 23%, and it awarded 211 scholarships worth $21.8m across Clarendon, St Elizabeth and St Andrew, plus dependents of J Wray & Nephew employees. Bauxite Institute Scholarships: Jamaica Bauxite Institute awarded $15m to 30 students under the Hoilett/Lambert Scholarship, targeting bauxite-producing parishes and covering fields like engineering, logistics, agriculture and food processing. Energy Skills Support: JPS Foundation handed out $11m in scholarships and grants, including engineering support for UTech students, reinforcing the pipeline into technical jobs. Local Craft Authenticity: Tourism leaders renewed calls for Jamaican craft vendors to shift from imported souvenirs to authentic, modernised local products as tourism demand grows.

Tourism Innovation: The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has selected 15 entrepreneurs for Cohort Three of its Tourism Innovation Incubator, chosen from 218 applicants, with a seven-month push on capacity building, market validation and investment readiness—plus AI-powered prototype development—through a partnership with UTech Jamaica. Housing & Social Policy: Prime Minister Andrew Holness says homeownership is transformational, handing over a two-bedroom unit under the New Social Housing Programme in Manchester and pointing to NHT mortgage support and plans for community regularisation. Mining Communities Education: Jamaica Bauxite Institute scholarships worth $15 million were awarded to 30 students from bauxite-producing parishes, with $500,000 each and a community service requirement. Tourism Sector Modernisation: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and Deputy PM Horace Chang are urging craft vendors to shift from imported souvenirs to authentic, functional Jamaican products, as Jamaica moves ahead with a $53.5-million rehabilitation of the Old Fort Craft Market in Montego Bay and explores a larger north-coast craft centre. Drought Pressure on Food Prices: JACRA warns farmers to be extra careful with fires and burning waste as dry conditions worsen, while market reports show shortages and higher prices for produce like lettuce, sweet peppers and pumpkins. Remittances Competition: JN Money Services is partnering with WapiPay to expand cross-border money transfers and trade-linked payments, adding more payout options for recipients in Jamaica. Manufacturing Exports: Jamaica’s manufactured exports continue to grow despite broader trade challenges and Hurricane Melissa damage, with manufacturers citing high energy costs and agriculture fallout.

Craft & Tourism Product Upgrade: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is pushing craft vendors to stop relying on imported souvenirs and instead sell authentic, functional Jamaican-made products, as the Old Fort Craft Market in Montego Bay gets a $53.5-million rehabilitation. North Coast Craft Expansion: Deputy Prime Minister Horace Chang wants a larger craft centre on the north coast to match tourism growth and give artisans a bigger, better-organised draw for visitors. Manufacturing & Exports: Jamaica’s manufactured exports are still rising even as total merchandise exports fell 10.6% in the first four months, with Hurricane Melissa, high energy costs and drought hitting inputs. Remittances Competition: JN Money is partnering with WapiPay to expand cross-border money transfers and trade-linked payments into Jamaica, with cash collection at JN Money locations or bank deposits. Drought Pressure on Food Prices: Market Bag reports shortages and higher prices for key produce as dry conditions bite, including lettuce at $1,000 and sweet peppers at $600. Agriculture Fire Safety: JACRA warns farmers to avoid careless burning after a major Blue Mountains fire damaged coffee farms, with coffee losses set to hurt livelihoods for years. Security & Shipping Reputation: Horace Chang says rising drug seizures could damage Jamaica’s image and disrupt shipping and transport if traffickers keep using ports. Tourism Recovery Update: Jamaica has welcomed 2.34 million visitors through Aug. 31, earning $2.5 billion, though about 30% of hotel inventory remains offline after Hurricane Melissa. Energy Planning: FESCO urges long-term investment in renewables and water storage as drought and higher food prices feed inflation. Business Readiness for Exports: JMEA tells MSMEs that export quality is about documented systems and traceability, not just logos or certifications. Housing for Hurricane Melissa Victims: Government has signed contracts to start semi-permanent homes, with 268 units planned for Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth under the Shelter Recovery Programme.

Food Prices & Drought: Market Bag reports sweet peppers at $600, lettuce at $1,000 and other shortages as dry conditions cut water-dependent crops, with vendors importing carrots and sweet peppers to meet demand. Agriculture Risk & Fire Safety: JACRA warns farmers to avoid burning and handle fires carefully after a Blue Mountains blaze damaged coffee farms, destroying mature plants that can take 3–4 years to replace. Irrigation Push: Essex Valley in St Elizabeth is 98% complete on irrigation works, with farmers expected to start receiving water by end-September. Tourism Recovery Watch: Jamaica welcomed 2.34 million visitors and earned about $2.5 billion through Aug. 31, though roughly 30% of hotel inventory remains offline post-Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Policy: JHTA says it will review proposed changes to the Beach Control Act before taking a formal position. Export Readiness: JMEA urges MSMEs to strengthen internal quality systems and traceability beyond just getting certifications. Construction & Safety: Probe ordered after an engineer was fatally crushed on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project; contractor and agencies face scrutiny. Housing After Melissa: Government signed contracts to build 268 semi-permanent homes in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth under the Shelter Recovery Programme. Capital Markets: GOJ launched a US$1b unsecured bond plan tied to external debt liability management. Craft Protection: National Craft Council warns imported imitations are undercutting local artisans and pushing tourism dollars out of Jamaica. Business Compliance: MDS suspended from trading on the JSE after missing audited financial filings.

Debt & Markets: The Government of Jamaica has launched a US$1B unsecured bond on international capital markets as part of its external debt liability management, with a tender/exchange plan tied to existing global bonds. Construction & Safety: Investigations are underway after a supervising engineer was fatally crushed/run over at the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project, with Works Minister Robert Morgan ordering contractor cooperation and a thorough probe. Water & Drought: Matthew Samuda warns parts of the Corporate Area could face days without supply if Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam levels keep falling, with possible further restrictions. Trade & Exports: JMEA is urging MSME exporters to focus on ongoing compliance with regulations in target markets—not just initial product certification. Craft & Tourism Value: National Craft Council chairman Delano Seiveright says imported imitations are undercutting Jamaican artisans and tourism dollars, as the Old Fort Craft Market in Montego Bay gets a $53.5M rehabilitation for 156 vendors. Housing Recovery: GOJ signed $1B in contracts for about 268 semi-permanent homes for Hurricane Melissa-affected families in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. Business Operations: Purity (Consolidated Bakeries) warns it will take production offline over the next 18 months for an overhaul, while MDS was suspended from JSE trading after missed audited filings. Tourism Trade: JAPEX 2026 returns to Ocho Rios (Sept 14–17) as the sector pushes recovery and new partnerships.

Workplace Safety: An engineer, Clifton James, was crushed and killed by a truck while working on the Montego Bay bypass, as police investigate the circumstances. Infrastructure & Transport: The Munroe Road–Wellington Drive pipeline upgrade is moving to night-time operations, with near-full Sunday closures to support up to 24-hour work and reduce congestion as schools reopen. Water Security: With drought worsening and water prohibition orders in effect in St Thomas and other parishes, schools are preparing using storage and conservation, while the Government adds $500m to the drought response, including NWC water trucking for critical facilities. Food Security: The Food Hygiene Bureau will hold its 10th International Conference on Food Security and Sovereignty on Sept. 9–10, pushing food safety as key to tourism and urging more local production to cut imports. Tourism & Housing: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says about 4,000 houses for tourism workers are underway with safeguards to ensure only bona-fide employees benefit, and he points to longer-term mortgage options. Industry Policy: A trade specialist is urging Jamaica to revisit its 1990s national industrial policy to boost exports, cut the trade deficit, and better support sectors like logistics, renewable energy and food security. Education & Skills: City & Guilds Stage 3 results show 81% certification in English Skills and 66% in Mathematics Skills, with structured preparation credited for gains. Fashion & Culture: Island Village in Ocho Rios will host the inaugural Jamaica Fashion Week from Nov. 19–22, aiming to build a new platform for the local fashion industry.

Tourism Housing: Minister Edmund Bartlett says the Government’s push to build about 4,000 houses for tourism workers is on track, with allocations handled by tourism HR teams and workers able to apply through the National Housing Trust; longer-term mortgage talks are also underway. Food Safety & Industry Standards: A Codex update is urging Jamaica’s food sector to treat “may contain” allergen warnings as meaningful, moving toward science- and risk-based labelling. Charity Digital Services: Jamaica’s JSWIFT platform now lets charitable organisations register and renew status online, supporting oversight ahead of Financial Action Task Force review. Education & Connectivity: The USF Connect-a-Child programme delivered tablets to 630 Primary Exit Profile students from low-income households. Agriculture Risk Alert: RADA warns farmers to stop slash-and-burn, avoid outdoor fires in drought conditions, and follow watershed open-burning restrictions. Tourism Politics: Government senator Marlon Morgan rejects opposition claims about high airfares, arguing airlines set prices and the State has limited leverage. Regional Business Links: GraceKennedy opens applications for its 2027 Birthright Programme for diaspora students, offering a six-week internship across its Jamaican operations.

Climate Justice Grants: Six Caribbean civil society groups, including Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), received small grants to push grassroots climate justice advocacy under CANARI and the Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance’s Climate Action Facility for 2026–2027. Education & Digital Access: Jamaica’s Universal Service Fund Connect-a-Child programme delivered tablets to 630 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students, while a new JSWIFT system now lets charities register and renew status online from anywhere. Agriculture & Risk Management: RADA issued an urgent bush-fire warning, urging farmers to stop slash-and-burn, avoid open burning in dry conditions, and follow watershed restrictions. Tourism Policy & Evidence: The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) hired PwC for an independent assessment of the proposed GCT hike for tourism from 10% to 15% effective April 2027. Trade & Industry: JSEZA says Jamaica can capture more value from rapidly rising China imports by focusing on components, assembly, testing and other value-added steps—without trying to manufacture everything. Energy & Telecoms: Jamaica Energy Partners awarded 68 scholarships worth $19.95m, and Digicel appointed Salvador “Salva” Hierrezuelo as group chief business officer effective Sept. 1. Infrastructure Updates: Works on Old Hope Road trenches will be temporarily covered to ease school-reopening traffic, and Regency Petroleum is targeting late-September construction for a new service station near Norman Manley International Airport.