AGP Executive Report

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.

Deep-Sea Mining: The UN International Seabed Authority has granted a five-year extension to Canadian firm The Metals Company’s deep-sea exploration contract, even as ISA–TMC tensions continue over how the rules will be finalized. Energy Costs: Petrojam says it has spent about US$18 million subsidising fuel costs to cushion consumers from global oil price swings, using a “smoothing” mechanism while the Government plans to reimburse it. Road Safety: Residents in St James are raising alarms about dangerous road deterioration on the John’s Hall–Spring Mount stretch, with makeshift warnings now added for commuters. Education & Integrity: CXC’s overhaul of School-Based Assessments is set to phase out traditional SBAs for several non-practical subjects, with principals warning pass rates may dip initially as students adjust. Food Safety: Jamaica has heightened monitoring of US-origin plant imports, including iceberg lettuce and leafy vegetables, amid the Cyclospora outbreak and related FDA recalls. Agriculture Policing: The Agricultural Protection Branch has more than tripled arrests for agricultural crimes in its first year, with officials citing higher convictions as cases move to court. SME Financing: DBJ is revamping and preparing to relaunch GEMINI Plus to help small businesses strengthen governance and formalise operations, with a simpler application process. Tourism & Hospitality: Marriott-linked Royalton properties are reopening across Negril and Montego Bay, with bookings now open for return dates starting Aug. 25 and Sept. 15.

Food Safety & Trade: Jamaica’s Agriculture Ministry has heightened surveillance of imported iceberg lettuce, leafy vegetables and fruits from the United States after a Cyclospora outbreak, with tighter port-of-entry checks and traceback reviews following US FDA recalls and CDC-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases. Agribusiness Resilience: The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging livestock owners to stock feed, medicine and water ahead of the rainy season, improve storage to prevent contamination, and consider silage for longer-term feeding during heavy rains. Small Business Finance: The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is set to relaunch GEMINI Plus later this month, offering revamped capacity-building and governance support for entrepreneurs who are not yet capital-ready for equity or debt. Health & Wellness Research: A new umbrella review links hibiscus tea consumption with dose-dependent improvements in blood pressure and metabolic markers across 26 randomized trials. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: Environmental groups at a paddle-out in Bull Bay renewed calls for Jamaica to back a moratorium on deep-sea mining as ISA talks continue in Kingston. Industry & Jobs: UTech Jamaica has won the bid to host the WorldCALL Conference in 2028, positioning the university as a regional hub for language-learning technology and skills transfer.

Religious Cannabis Review: Jamaica is intensifying consultations on its sacramental cannabis framework to better protect Rastafarian rights while keeping the religious use clearly separate from the regulated commercial industry, with proposals including shifting operational governance to the Ministry of Culture. Agriculture Under Heat: The Ministry of Agriculture is urging farmers to follow official advisories during extreme heat, while rolling out drought mitigation support including trucked water and water tanks, and launching a Heifer Redistribution Programme that will deliver 400 pregnant heifers to dairy farmers and educational institutions. Banking Leadership: Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham has been elected president of the Jamaica Bankers Association for 2026/27, with the new executive set to focus on innovation, financial inclusion, consumer confidence and sector resilience. Retirement Savings Push: BPM Financial’s Peta-Rose Hall proposes the government invest $100,000 for every child born in Jamaica to close the retirement savings gap, citing low enrolment in approved retirement schemes. Industry & Community Finance: Sterling Asset Management marks 25 years with a $1.2 million donation via its Sterling Impact Award to support youth development through the Joy Town Community Development Foundation. Sports & Talent: Jamaica-linked talent continues to surface internationally, including a new push for youth development in horse racing and ongoing regional sports hosting discussions.

Religious Cannabis Framework: Jamaica is intensifying consultations on the sacramental cannabis framework, including a proposal to shift operational governance to the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, aiming for clearer policy and tighter coordination so the regulated industry can’t be exploited. Agriculture Under Heat: Farmers are being urged to follow official advisories as extreme heat persists, with the Agriculture Ministry highlighting drought mitigation support like trucked water, storage for livestock, and water tanks. Dairy Recovery Boost: The Heifer Redistribution Programme is rolling out 400 pregnant heifers to dairy farmers and educational institutions to rebuild Jamaica’s dairy sector after Hurricane Melissa, with schools also set to strengthen nutrition and farm systems. Financial System Watch: The Bank of Jamaica says regulators remain on high alert, pushing risk management reforms including Twin Peaks, Basel 3, and stronger cyber and climate risk defenses. Livestock Enforcement: Police warn livestock owners against illegal grazing on private properties, citing a St Elizabeth operation that impounded cattle worth about $1.6 million. Hospitality Investment: Accor and Ennismore are bringing a new luxury hospitality complex to Montego Bay—The Pinnacle—starting with construction on four towers including a 240-key hotel and 417 residences. Local Talent & Skills: Jamaica’s HEART College trainees are in China for a 90-day Global Skills Academy programme, while Jamaica Festival Song Competition rehearsals ramp up ahead of the July 25 results show. Reggae Business & Culture: Buju Banton’s album “Too Too Bad” debuts at No. 3 on the US iTunes Reggae Albums chart, and Grace Foods UK partners with Black Eats London for the UK’s first Jerk Festival in Hackney. Community Resilience: Seaford Town recovery gets a boost with German Embassy-backed grant agreements for structural rehabilitation and a solar system for a Community Resilience Hub.

Skills & Workforce Mobility: HEART College trainees are among four Jamaicans selected for UNESCO Global Skills Academy scholarships in China, including hospitality and robotics/healthcare tracks, with the 90-day programme fully funded. Higher Education Investment: UWI Mona and Western Jamaica outlined a 3–4 year capital expansion plan, including a 50-bed hospital in western Jamaica and a new School of Engineering, alongside campus modernisation. US-Jamaica Development Finance: US International Development Finance Corporation says it’s building a pipeline of Jamaica projects across ports, energy, telecoms and post-Melissa reconstruction, but notes few are ready for execution yet. Construction & Local Spend: Construction Industry Council pushes for licensing/certification that keeps reconstruction dollars circulating locally through Jamaican firms, tradespeople and suppliers. Hospitality & Tourism Demand: Caymanas Park’s World Cup final tailgate at Republic Beach Club will blend live betting, entertainment and local food/drink partners. Digital & Cyber: US exercise Cyber Shield 2026 brings together cyber professionals and partners for scenario-based defence training. Global Industry Watch: US plans to auction water areas around American Samoa for deep-sea mining, drawing renewed environmental and governance concerns.

Skills & Jobs: HEART/NSTA Trust says four Jamaican trainees are in China under UNESCO Global Skills Academy’s 90-day, fully funded GSA POCY Group Scholarships, covering hospitality plus robotics and allied healthcare—aimed at bringing back international standards and stronger workplace skills. Higher Education: UWI Mona and Western Jamaica outlined a 3–4 year capital expansion plan, including a 50-bed hospital in western Jamaica and a new School of Engineering, as tertiary leaders push for modernisation and new funding models. Tourism & Community: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was nominated for the PYNE Tourism ICON Award 2026, highlighting Jamaica’s push for resilience and community tourism. Construction & Local Spend: Construction Industry Council argues reconstruction after Hurricane Melissa must prioritise Jamaican firms, tradespeople and suppliers to keep dollars circulating locally. Road Safety: A deadly Trelawny crash renews calls for stronger road safety responsibility as ITA reports high fatal crash numbers since the year began. Regional & Trade: CARICOM’s 51st summit focuses on Haiti, food security, climate resilience and governance reform, but questions remain on whether integration delivers measurable economic returns.

Deep-Sea Mining Push: The US plans to auction large water sections around American Samoa for deep-sea mineral extraction, a move critics say breaks from the Jamaica-based International Seabed Authority and could harm fragile marine life. Higher Education Expansion: UWI says it will modernise and expand Mona and Western campuses over the next 3–4 years, including a new School of Engineering and a 50-bed hospital in western Jamaica. Education & AI Policy: The Jamaica Teachers’ Association is calling for a national AI policy in schools after CXC reforms to the School-Based Assessment framework. Road Safety Urgency: A deadly Trelawny crash that killed seven revives calls to cut road carnage as ITA reports 175 deaths in fatal crashes since the start of the year. Construction & Local Value: The Construction Industry Council argues rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa should prioritise Jamaican firms, tradespeople and suppliers to keep reconstruction dollars circulating locally. Skills for Work: HEART/NSTA Trust says four Jamaican trainees won fully funded China scholarships in hospitality, robotics and allied healthcare. Tertiary Funding Model: CMU president urges public tertiary institutions to build self-sustaining, surplus-generating programmes. World Cup Economy: Supreme Ventures and Island Bet report a major betting surge among Jamaicans during the FIFA World Cup.

Education & AI Policy: The Jamaica Teachers’ Association is calling for a national AI policy in schools after CXC overhauled the School-Based Assessment (SBA) framework, moving most non-practical CSEC/CAPE subjects to exam-condition Paper 032 from 2027. Tourism & Local Economy: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica’s Tourism 3.0 push won’t hit US$10b in annual earnings through hotel rooms alone, urging community tourism and locally owned enterprises to keep more spending in Jamaica. Small Business & Procurement: The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) is set to launch a “Buy Local” campaign to boost locally grown agricultural purchases, while MSMEs are urged to formalise to qualify for the 20% government procurement set-aside and JSE Micro Market funding. Utilities Customer Service: Jamaica’s utility providers face delays and inconsistent support, with the OUR’s 2025 Mystery Shopping Survey flagging long call waits and unresolved issues via chat and social media. Transport & Infrastructure: Works Minister Robert Morgan says Mammee Bay toll plaza congestion will ease with two extra toll lanes and a longer-term expansion plan, while Transport Minister Daryl Vaz confirms a zero-tolerance demerit points system starting Oct 1, 2026. Agriculture Enforcement: The APB intensifies crackdowns on illegal grazing, impounding cattle valued at about $1.6m in St Elizabeth. Health & Skills: HEART/NSTA Trust says four Jamaican trainees won Global Skills Academy scholarships in China for hospitality, robotics and allied healthcare. International Trade Pressure: CMA CGM has suspended bookings to Cuba, leaving humanitarian and medical containers stranded in Kingston amid US sanctions.

Education & AI Policy: The Jamaica Teachers’ Association is calling for a national AI policy for schools after CXC moves to overhaul the School-Based Assessment (SBA) framework, including phasing out traditional SBA for most non-practical CSEC/CAPE subjects from 2027. Procurement & MSMEs: The Public Procurement Commission will release by end of July the MSME list for the Government’s 20% set-aside programme, while the SBAJ pushes formalisation and a “Buy Local” campaign to boost locally grown agriculture and cut food import dependence. Tourism Strategy: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica won’t hit US$10b in tourism earnings just by building 20,000 new hotel rooms, urging stronger community tourism and locally owned enterprises. Transport & Infrastructure: Works Minister Robert Morgan announced immediate and long-term steps to ease Mammee Bay toll plaza congestion, including two extra toll lanes and stronger E-Pass promotion; Transport Minister Daryl Vaz also reiterated a zero-tolerance demerit points system from Oct 1, 2026. Agriculture Enforcement: The Agricultural Protection Branch says it’s intensifying action against illegal livestock grazing, impounding cattle worth about $1.6m in St Elizabeth. Trade & Shipping Sanctions: CMA CGM is leaving Cuba-bound containers stranded in Kingston, including millions of syringes, citing US sanctions. Gaming Oversight: Jamaica’s Casino Gaming Commission says it has deepened investigations capacity ahead of the casino rollout through training for compliance and financial crime work.

Agriculture Support: Minister Floyd Green urged dairy farmers to tap free pasture redevelopment help under the Jamaica Dairy Development Board, saying better nutrition and “cow comfort” can lift yields. Youth in Farming: Green also pushed young Jamaicans to see agriculture as a full value-chain business, from logistics and supply to tech-driven innovation. Procurement for MSMEs: The Public Procurement Commission will release the MSME 20% set-aside list by end of July, with guidance notes expected by end of August—businesses are urged to check the portal once it opens. Traffic and Transport: Works Minister Robert Nesta Morgan announced short- and long-term measures to ease congestion at the Mammee Bay toll plaza, including two more toll lanes. Road Safety: A fatal multi-vehicle crash on Grand Central Parkway in Briarwood killed a motorcyclist and passenger, according to NYPD. Tourism Resilience: A community-based tourism resilience symposium in St. James trained operators on risk planning and recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Wastewater and Environment: The Scientific Research Council says its Integrated Environmental Services Unit has supported 250+ wastewater treatment systems over 25 years. Outsourcing Jobs: GSAJ warns Jamaica’s outsourcing sector employment has fallen to about 40,000 and says AI isn’t the cause; the focus is marketing and upskilling. Economy Watch: STATIN reports Jamaica’s inflation rose 0.8% in June, led by transport and food prices. CARICOM Moves: Martinique and French Guiana officially joined CARICOM as associate members. Regional Aid: SVG joined CARICOM’s 88-container relief shipment to earthquake-hit Venezuela. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: The US plans to auction water areas around American Samoa for deep-sea mining, drawing criticism over environmental risks.

UN Diplomacy: India formally launched its bid for a 2028–29 UNSC non-permanent seat, pitching a six-point agenda from Global South voice and peacekeeping modernisation to AI governance and anti-terror financing. Education & Skills: CXC is overhauling School-Based Assessments as generative AI rises, moving many subjects toward supervised exam conditions with topics shared in advance; Jamaica’s education stakeholders will meet CXC to clarify how it will work in practice. TVET for AI: Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon says Jamaica must urgently upgrade technical and vocational education, including new labs, arguing trades are among the least likely jobs to be displaced by AI. Tourism & Community: Edmund Bartlett says hotels alone can’t deliver US$10b; community-based tourism is central to Jamaica’s long-term growth. Business & Finance: CariCRIS reaffirmed Sagicor’s ratings with a stable outlook, despite a Q1 net loss; AM Best upgraded Sagicor subsidiaries’ credit ratings. Energy & Transport: JPS submitted its report on the June 5 islandwide blackout; proposed Highway 2000 tolls could lift a Caymanas–Ocho Rios round trip to $5,220. Agri & Resilience: 400 pregnant heifers will be distributed to dairy farmers to rebuild the herd after Hurricane Melissa. Payments Shift: CIBC will stop issuing/accepting cheques of $1m+ from Sept 1, as banks phase out cheques. Industry Innovation: SRC is pushing waste valorisation so agri-processing waste can become biogas or fertiliser. Cybersecurity: Fortinet reports Jamaica saw 5.4m cyberattack attempts in H1 2026, with AI and automation boosting attackers. Sports & Culture: Pepsi partners with Made4Goal to connect Jamaican youth football to global pathways; dancehall fans get a major Sumfest moment with Vybz Kartel and Mavado headlining.