AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Jobs: Jamaica is pushing ahead with its Tourism 3.0 reimagination, with Minister Edmund Bartlett pointing to resilience and renewed focus on benefits for workers and communities. Creative Economy: Kingston Creative launched the Createch Incubator, a four-month programme for early-stage creatives to build impact-driven ventures, including practical AI and digital tech training. Manufacturing/Exports: Industry Minister Delano Seiveright urged Jamaica to maximise the value of its rum sector—linking it to agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and export earnings, and calling for stronger protection of Jamaica Rum’s Geographical Indication. Energy/Telecoms: Minister Daryl Vaz hailed FLOW Jamaica’s 5G rollout as a national development moment, with coverage expanding across key areas. Health & Infrastructure: Kingston Public Hospital says surgery disruptions continue due to ageing air-conditioning problems, with replacement parts being air-freighted and repairs underway. Environment: Water/Environment Minister Matthew Samuda said Jamaica’s mangrove loss is driven most by illegal charcoal harvesting, not just coastal development. Housing: PM Holness broke ground for Wick Hall Estate in St. Catherine, delivering 221 housing solutions.

Public Sector Pay Talks: The Independent Fiscal Commission says Jamaica’s wage negotiations are misaligned with the budget cycle, creating uncertainty and forcing reactive spending, and it wants a structured statutory calendar to reduce retroactive payment shocks. Health Infrastructure: Kingston Public Hospital surgery schedules are still disrupted after problems with the central air-conditioning system for operating theatres, with replacement parts being air-freighted and major repairs underway. Energy Transition: As Jamaica prepares for a new electricity licence, an energy expert urges bold reforms and faster renewable transition, arguing the country can cut costs and boost competitiveness. Electricity Resilience Debate: A post-blackout discussion calls for a more strategic look at Jamaica’s power sector vulnerabilities and resilience beyond just bills and outages. Rum Value-Add: Industry Minister Delano Seiveright says Jamaica must capture more economic value from rum by keeping ageing, bottling and quality control in Jamaica under the Geographical Indication framework. Housing Delivery: PM Holness broke ground for Wick Hall Estate in St Catherine, a 221-unit development aimed at easing the housing deficit with options across income brackets. Tourism & Coastal Rights: Beach access campaigners head to court to stop further privatisation of key shorelines, arguing it threatens livelihoods and community survival. Construction & Safety: Police are investigating the Quarry Hill, Spanish Town shooting that killed a 18-year-old construction worker.

Ocean & Climate Science: UWI Professor Donovan Campbell helped steer the UN’s Third World Ocean Assessment (WOA III), warning of rising ocean temperatures, ecosystem damage, fisheries shifts and sea-level rise, and urging science-based marine policy. Beach Access & Tourism: Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (Jabbem) is taking the government to court to stop further beach privatisation in St Ann and beyond, arguing closures threaten livelihoods and “plantation tourism.” Public Safety at Fuel Stations: Reports show service stations increasingly acting as informal taxi hubs and hangouts, with students sitting by pumps and using phones despite fire-risk concerns. Energy Transition: Uruguay’s energy strategist Dr Ramón Méndez Galain says Jamaica can reach over 90% renewables with grid optimisation and policy alignment, not just targets. Transport & Recovery Economy: JUTC performance improved, with May revenue and ridership up sharply at the Portmore depot, alongside fleet upgrades. Skills & Construction Jobs: HEART/NSTA Trust certified 148 young Jamaicans as roof repair specialists through Hurricane Melissa recovery training. Business & Growth: PM Holness praised private-sector resilience at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce awards, while NaRRA recovery funding is framed as a major GDP boost. Health & Nutrition: Cascade Primary and Infant School in Portland achieved 100% compliance with the National School Nutrition Policy.

Digital Connectivity Boost: Flow officially launched 5G, with Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz saying it should drive competition and tangible benefits as the network already reaches 70% of Jamaicans. Electricity Reform Push: After the all-island blackout, an energy expert urged Jamaica to accelerate renewable transition ahead of the next electricity licence talks, arguing it can cut costs and strengthen energy security. Energy Transition Pressure: Uruguay’s renewable shift was cited as a model, while Jamaica’s offshore oil ambitions face mounting environmental concerns. Public Transport Performance: JUTC says revenue, ridership and fleet upgrades are improving, citing a Portmore depot jump to $100m revenue and 1m passengers in May. Post-Hurricane Recovery Funding: PM Holness says NaRRA will coordinate Hurricane Melissa rebuilding with up to US$6.7b in financing, targeting major GDP gains. Skills for Resilience: HEART/NSTA Trust certified 148 young Jamaicans as roof repair specialists under the BRIDGE programme, deploying trainees in recovery work. Housing Integrity Warning: NHT and the Realtors Association urged the public to avoid fake social media accounts selling NHT homes. Inclusive Education Expansion: Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy opened a new primary block and plans a high school as enrolment rises. Agriculture Training: FAO and JACRA trained 170+ stakeholders in sustainable ginger production and clean planting material. Business & Investment Spotlight: Developers of the US$25m SANA mixed-use project say market research shows strong demand for premium retail, offices and residences. Diaspora Networking: Jamaica Diaspora Conference hits full capacity in Montego Bay, with tickets sold out and sectors like investment and agriculture represented. Local Enterprise & Culture: Black River’s Lyric Boutique highlights homegrown fashion and accessories, while UK success stories include MasterChef winner Jhané Gibson.

Post-Hurricane Recovery: Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Hurricane Melissa rebuilding will be Jamaica’s biggest economic intervention in a generation, with NaRRA coordinating US$6.7b in international financing and targeting GDP growth of 20%+. Housing & Land: The NHT and Realtors Association warn of housing scams using fake social media accounts, urging buyers to verify listings before sharing personal info. Local Governance: Holness also renewed the push against squatting, saying enforcement alone won’t solve it and private developers must expand affordable supply. Disaster Readiness: Westmoreland Mayor Danree Delancy says the parish is not ready for the 2026 hurricane season, citing too few approved shelters and funding gaps. Energy & Telecoms: Energy expert Dr. Ramón Méndez Galain urges Jamaica to accelerate renewables to cut the US$1.7b energy bill and reduce foreign-exchange pressure, while Telecoms Minister Daryl Vaz says Flow’s 5G launch should boost competition and digital connectivity. Transport & Infrastructure: JUTC reports big gains in revenue, passengers and fleet upgrades, and Water Minister Matthew Samuda broke ground on a $147.8m Santa Cruz bypass main replacement to improve potable water supply. Agriculture: FAO and JACRA trained 170+ farmers and specialists in sustainable ginger production and clean planting material. Road Safety: St James police flag Long Hill road integrity concerns ahead of hurricane season. Industry & Business: Scotia Group Jamaica reports higher half-year profit and a plan by its majority shareholder to take the company private. Skills & Innovation: WorldSkills Jamaica and Studica camp exposes students to robotics and drone tech. Culture & Talent: British-Jamaican chef Jhané Gibson wins MasterChef UK, spotlighting Caribbean flavours.

Telecom Upgrade: Minister Daryl Vaz says Flow’s 5G launch should boost competition and transform digital connectivity, with 5G already reaching 70% of Jamaica’s population. Energy Transition Push: A renewable energy expert urges Jamaica to accelerate renewables to cut foreign exchange spending, strengthen energy security, and improve competitiveness. Public Transport Performance: JUTC is reporting big gains in revenue, ridership and fleet modernisation, including a Portmore depot jump to $100m revenue and one million passengers in May, plus 270+ new buses and moves toward CNG. Water Infrastructure: Ground broken for the $147.8m Santa Cruz Bypass Main Replacement Project to replace ageing pipes and improve potable water supply for about 1,200 residents. Fisheries Modernisation: Government allocates an extra $66m to procure 20 more boats and engines for young fishers under the Fisheries Incentive Programme. Business & Investment Facilitation: JSEZA launches an online facilitation tool to streamline SEZ applications, submissions and tracking for investors. Finance Sector Move: Scotiabank proposes to take Scotia Group Jamaica private via a court-approved scheme, with expected delisting from the JSE. Food Safety Drive: St Catherine Health Department intensifies inspections in Portmore to strengthen food-safety compliance and reduce risks to consumers. Youth Skills: WorldSkills Jamaica and Studica camp exposes students to robotics and drone technology through hands-on sessions aimed at growing the engineering pipeline.

Rum Industry & Exports: The International Wine & Spirit Competition named 12 rums “Gold Outstanding” for 2026, with Barbados’ Foursquare Rum Distillery taking five medals and most winners coming from Caribbean producers—another boost for Jamaica’s premium spirits brand. Housing & Planning: Despite heavy neighbourhood opposition, Rogerson Communities won unanimous zoning board approval for a senior housing and memory care project after major redesigns and a cut in units. Business Performance: Main Event Entertainment Group reported a wider second-quarter net loss as revenue fell across key lines, with hurricane disruption and weaker discretionary spending cited. Banking & Financial Stability: Outgoing Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles told Parliament no commercial bank failed during his tenure, while also flagging the need for reforms to improve oversight and competition. Telecoms & Digital Growth: Flow Jamaica officially launched Jamaica’s first 5G network, with coverage claims and a focus on customer access requirements. Trade & Investment Facilitation: JSEZA rolled out an online Facilitation Tool to streamline SEZ applications, tracking and investor engagement. Sports Industry Push: Jamaica launched the Made4Goal Global Sports Summit to move from producing athletes to building a sports industry. Energy & Infrastructure: Jamaica’s foreign reserves stood at US$6.48b at end-May, supporting the currency during oil and hurricane pressures.

5G Rollout: Flow officially switched on Jamaica’s first 5G network, reaching about 70% of customers, with faster speeds now available in key areas and more expansion planned by end of June. Telecom Quality Oversight: The OUR says it’s procuring equipment to independently verify telecom service quality and enforce sanctions amid complaints of dropped calls and call diversion. Water Infrastructure Push: NWC broke ground on a $148m Santa Cruz By-pass mains replacement and commissioned a $123.8m Greater Mandeville pipeline upgrade, targeting better reliability and reduced losses. Electricity Sector Reform: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says talks on a new JPS electricity licence and the Green Paper on electricity reform are progressing, with an independent expert to assess outage findings after the June 5 blackout. MSME Contracts: Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Public Procurement Commission are running roadshows to help MSMEs access set-aside government contracts. Sugar Tax Support: Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances is helping manufacturers reformulate to cut sugar while protecting taste under the new sugar tax regime. E-commerce Competition: 7Krave launched Krave Deals to bring more online shopping spend back to Jamaica with fast delivery and local support. Fuel Price Pressure: JGRA warns diesel price increases after Petrojam’s pricing mechanism change could ripple through transport and haulage costs. Regional Tourism Business: CHTA named Barbados host for Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2027 after a successful 2026 event.

Tourism Strategy: Jamaica has launched “Tourism 3.0,” a new long-term framework aimed at growing the sector while pushing more benefits to workers and local communities, with plans outlined during Caribbean Week in New York. Rural Linkages: The Tourism Enhancement Fund is backing rural tourism access, including a $27.5-million road rehabilitation in St Mary (Fontabelle to Geddes Town Road) to connect visitors to heritage sites. Energy & Accountability: After the islandwide blackout, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says future JPS licences and the new Act will include mandatory compensation measures and sanctions for customers and businesses affected. Maritime Environment: The House approved Jamaica’s Shipping (Prevention of Garbage Pollution) Regulations, 2026, to modernise enforcement of MARPOL Annex V and strengthen protection from ship-generated waste. Local Governance Finance: Opposition spokesperson Natalie Neita Garvey is calling for municipal corporations to be empowered to borrow “responsibly” to deliver infrastructure like markets, waste facilities and green public spaces. Food & Industry Spotlight: Jamaica’s hot sauce and seafood scenes get attention as local businesses push through supply pressures and keep drawing diners.

Energy & Inflation Watch: Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles warned Middle East conflict risks pushing inflation above the BOJ’s 4–6% target, with higher energy, transport and food costs likely. Power Reliability: JPS says last Friday’s islandwide blackout was triggered by severe weather and technical faults, including lightning-linked transmission line failures and a protection-system delay, with phased restoration completed by early Saturday. Fuel Pricing: Petrojam revised its diesel and ULSD pricing mechanism, capping pass-through of price moves at $12.50 per litre (up from $4.50), effective June 11, after absorbing large cost swings during recent global volatility. Water Sector Accountability: Government says it accepts Auditor General findings on NWC capital projects and budget execution, noting some corrective steps are already underway. Tourism Policy: JHTA renewed calls for urgent talks over a proposed GCT increase on tourism activities, warning of impacts on businesses and jobs. Agriculture & Dairy: A dairy producer urged faster action on importing higher-quality cattle genetics to cut milk powder dependence. Hurricane Melissa Spending: Finance Minister Fayval Williams outlined $67b in Category Five Melissa response spending, including allocations for roads, water, health and agriculture. Land Skills Training: Jamaica and South Korea will fund a $9m training school for land surveyors and related professionals. Regional Security: U.S. Coast Guard tightens entry rules for ships departing Haiti unless port security measures meet international standards.

Electricity & Water Accountability: Jamaica’s all-island blackout is back under the microscope after a preliminary JPS report points to recurring grid system failures, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “totally unacceptable” and pushing for deeper independent review; at the same time, a new Auditor General audit flags the National Water Commission’s $33b debt and weak cash position, with unpaid supplier bills ballooning. Digital Payments & Banking: CIBC Caribbean says customers in Jamaica and other regional markets can now add cards to Google Wallet for contactless payments, as the bank prepares for a major ownership transition. Cannabis Industry: Westmoreland Western ganja farmers turn out for registration drives to move from informal activity into Jamaica’s regulated cannabis industry. Workforce & Skills: Opposition and educators renew calls to rethink HEART/NSTA Trust training models amid a skilled worker shortage, arguing employer-driven, demand-led training may fit today’s fast-changing workplaces better. Trade & Manufacturing Pressure: Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association warns exporters face port/customs bottlenecks, logistics gaps, and financing constraints as merchandise exports decline. Agriculture & Diaspora Support: St. Mary agricultural students receive $30,000 grants from Jamaican farm workers in the US, backing the next generation of producers. Business Growth & Infrastructure: Kingston Wharves sets ambitious 2030 targets, including expanding trans-shipment and pushing into western Jamaica, while Derrimon Trading shelves a small Arosa expansion to cut debt and rely more on third-party manufacturing. Policy on Youth Online Use: Health Minister Christopher Tufton says a near-complete study will feed a national discussion on restricting social media access for children under 16.

Energy & Utilities: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says JPS’s preliminary explanation for last week’s all-island blackout is “inexcusable,” warning that “same old same old” system failures can’t keep happening in 2026; he’s pushing for a proper independent consultant alongside the OUR as more outages are reported. Tourism & Shipping: Opposition tourism spokesperson Andrea Purkiss accuses Minister Edmund Bartlett of “diversification myth” and points to a cruise passenger decline of 28.4% since 2019, arguing Jamaica is losing market share while the sector elsewhere booms. Ports & Logistics: Kingston Wharves targets $20b revenue and $5b net profit by 2030, banking on vehicle trans-shipment expansion, digital transformation and moves into western Jamaica. Manufacturing & Retail Finance: Derrimon Trading shelves a US$2.5m Arosa expansion to cut debt and finance costs, shifting to third-party manufacturing while keeping quality control. Investing Costs: Self-directed trading platforms on the JSE are highlighted as a way to cut commissions to as low as 0.5%, potentially saving investors thousands. Agriculture & Food Supply: A dairy producer urges faster import of better cattle genetics, saying delays keep Jamaica reliant on milk powder; local output is constrained by low numbers of cows in milk. Skills & Tech: WorldSkills Jamaica launches a five-day robotics and unmanned aerial systems training camp ahead of Shanghai 2026. Heritage & Environment: A study finds mangroves are recovering globally since 2010, helped by protections and natural regeneration—key for storm protection and carbon storage. Business Growth & Governance: Pan Jamaica Group stresses governance and diversification as risks hit Q1 profits, while ITA begins a major recruitment drive as it transitions into a statutory body.

Energy & Water Resilience: Jamaica’s all-island blackout is still sparking questions about grid resilience and the knock-on effects on water supply, with the Ministry of Water pushing back on claims about solar readiness for NWC systems and pointing to generator installations. Construction Skills & Training: Concerns are rising that HEART/NSTA Trust is not delivering enough skilled tradespeople as Jamaica faces delays in housing and infrastructure projects. Renewables & Costs: TW Solar says it has helped cut solar equipment prices in Jamaica by up to 40% while expanding regionally, aiming to make solar more accessible for households and businesses. Local Industry & Exports: Solar distributor TW Solar also claims growing export activity, including a major push into the Dominican Republic. Food, Wellness & Retail Innovation: NUGL has started a Jamaica market evaluation of functional beverage samples with Cannibble Food-Tech through Kaya Pizza and Square Grouper Bars. Healthcare Upgrade: Bamboo Community Health Centre in St. Ann reopened after a $68M upgrade, expanding primary care services. Business & Finance Oversight: Opposition is demanding answers over the government’s withdrawal of $500m from the Financial Services Commission, arguing it weakens reserves and could raise insurance costs. Environment: NEPA and partners planted mangroves in Winns Morass, with plans to designate it a forest reserve.

Women’s Cricket Boost: The WCPL is re-engineered for 2026 with a four-team “festival” in Barbados and a new Jamaica Empress franchise, with matches at Kensington Oval from Sept 5–17. Water Resilience Row: Opposition and Government trade barbs after Friday’s island-wide blackout left thousands without water; Water Minister Matthew Samuda says generators and restoration efforts are already underway, while critics push for solar-powered backup plans. Construction Skills Pressure: HEART/NSTA Trust is under fire over returns on training as Jamaica faces a shortage of skilled construction workers, threatening housing and infrastructure delivery. Infrastructure Delivery: Western Jamaica is set to get most of 55 new bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, with Troy Bridge opening as part of post-Hurricane Melissa recovery. Industrial & Trade Moves: Afreximbank deepens engagement with Jamaica through a Kingston roadshow and a US$5b financing push, while Lasco Group plans to expand exports and Pan Jamaica Group reports record 2025 earnings. Energy/Power Scrutiny: JPS and NWC are under investigation after the blackout, with regulators and officials demanding answers as power and water restoration continues. Local Business & Learning: Jamalco donates $2m in tools to Porus High School to strengthen woodwork and electrical training. Markets Watch: Jamaica Stock Exchange records a May decline, with the Main Index down 1.58%.

Infrastructure & Resilience: Western Jamaica is set to get most of 55 new bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, with the $230-million Troy Bridge opening highlighting post-Hurricane Melissa rebuilding and safer crossings. Energy & Water Security: Opposition is pushing for solar-powered resilience for NWC water facilities after an islandwide blackout left about 65,000 customers without water, calling it a governance failure and a single-point-of-failure risk. Public Works Leadership: The National Works Agency has advertised for a new CEO as criticism grows over road conditions and slow responses, ending the long tenure of Everton “EG” Hunter. Housing & Construction Pressure: Residents at Estuary Meadows in St James report sewage running into a nearby river and even into homes, while parents at Godfrey Stewart High School protest stalled Hurricane Melissa repairs. Business & Trade: Lasco Group plans to expand exports beyond its current 4% of production, and Pan Jamaica Group reports record 2025 earnings, with Hurricane Melissa still affecting agricultural operations. Capital Markets: JSE recorded a May decline, with the Main Index down 1.58%. Regional Tourism: The Caribbean Tourism Supply Side Initiative was launched with Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett chairing a ministerial committee to build local capacity and retention in tourism.

All-Island Blackout Fallout: Jamaica’s Friday night outage left the country dark and disrupted water supply, with the OUR ordering JPS to submit a preliminary report on the cause and a full report within 30 days; JPS says “significant lightning activities” damaged critical infrastructure and triggered a cascading grid failure, while Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called it “an embarrassment” and rejected conspiracy claims involving the USS Nimitz. Water Security Pressure: Opposition water spokesman Ian Hayles says the NWC’s near-total dependence on the power grid shows a governance crisis, as about 65,000 customers still reported without water while restoration continued. Renewables Push: Hayles and others are renewing calls for solar and advanced renewable backup for critical water facilities to prevent a single-point failure during disasters. Construction Labour Crunch: Opposition agriculture and fisheries spokesman Dr Dayton Campbell links post-Melissa rebuilding to a widening skills and labour shortage, arguing for stronger youth pathways into agriculture and practical training. Food Safety Reminder: St. Thomas veterinary public health inspector Nardia Nembhard urges consumers to buy inspected, stamped meat from approved sources. Honey Supply Strain: Hurricane Melissa wiped out an estimated 16,000 bee colonies, triggering honey shortages that are hitting manufacturers and herbal product producers. Aviation Dispute: CONVIASA says a Cancun–Maiquetia flight diversion to Jamaica involved irregularities, including lack of required operational support and passenger uncertainty for over eight hours. Tourism Media Boost: CTO honoured Caribbean storytellers in New York and launched CTO TV to expand regional tourism content.