KINGSTON, Jamaica — The US dollar demonstrated a slight upward trend in its exchange rate against the Jamaican dollar on Thursday, October 2, closing at $161.34, a modest increase of 4 cents, as reported by the Bank of Jamaica’s daily trading summary. This incremental rise reflects ongoing fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. Concurrently, the Canadian dollar also experienced a notable uptick, ending the day at $117.23 compared to its previous close of $116.03. Similarly, the British pound edged higher, concluding the trading session at $217.17, up from $216.87. These movements underscore the dynamic nature of global currency markets and their impact on regional economies.
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Safe Passage takes International Marlin Tournament crown
The 64th Montego Bay Yacht Club International Marlin Tournament, held from September 25 to 27 along Jamaica’s picturesque north coast, concluded with a resounding victory for the vessel Safe Passage. The event, which drew 16 boats, 100 anglers, and 15 junior competitors, transformed the waters into a dynamic arena of skill, strategy, and endurance. Safe Passage, owned by Chris Berry and Mark Berry and captained by Paco Vela, emerged as the undisputed champion, showcasing unparalleled precision, teamwork, and resilience. The crew released 15 marlins and reported 29 hook-ups, solidifying their place in the tournament’s storied history. The 2025 edition proved to be a rigorous test of persistence and expertise, with Safe Passage earning 1,800 points through six marlin releases by anglers Chris Berry, Brian Pengelley, Bob Rawe, Mark Berry, and Kevin Mann. My Other Toy, led by owner and captain Radcliffe Gayle, secured second place with 613 points, while Sea Horse, owned by Raymond Rousseau and captained by Adam Epstein, claimed third with 600 points. The tournament also celebrated junior angler Harry Ince, who took home the top junior award. Notable catches included a 15.5 lb mahi mahi by Jesse Ince, a 23.1 lb wahoo by Paulette Thai Chen, and a 25.5 lb tuna by Jacques Carvallo. As the oldest active tournament in Jamaica and a premier big-game fishing event in the Caribbean, the 65th anniversary edition, scheduled for September 23 to 27, 2026, promises to further elevate its legacy.
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Whitmore demands more from Mt Pleasant despite Carib Cup semi berth
Mount Pleasant Football Academy has emerged as a formidable contender in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, securing a flawless group stage performance with a 2-0 victory over O&M of the Dominican Republic. Despite this achievement, Head Coach Theodore Whitmore remains focused on the challenges ahead as the team aims for its first championship title. The St Ann-based club finished Group A with a perfect record of 12 points, six clear of their closest rivals, thanks to goals from Gadail Irving and Ranaldo Biggs. This marks a significant turnaround for the 2023 Jamaica Premier League champions, who struggled in their debut 2024 tournament. Whitmore praised his team’s professionalism and defensive solidity, having not conceded a goal in their last four matches. However, he emphasized the need for continuous improvement and consistency as they prepare for the semi-finals, set to begin on October 21. Whitmore highlighted the importance of squad management, particularly with the team competing in both local and regional tournaments. Mount Pleasant joins defending champions Cavalier FC and Harbour View as the third Jamaican team to reach the Caribbean Cup semi-finals, underscoring their growing dominance in regional football.
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Ammoye wins big at 2025 Reggae North Music Awards
The 2025 Reggae North Music Awards, held on September 28 at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, witnessed a stellar performance by Ammoye, who clinched two of the most prestigious awards: Entertainer of The Year and Female Vocalist of The Year. Originating from Halse Hall in Clarendon, Jamaica, Ammoye moved to Toronto as a teenager and has since been a multiple nominee for the Juno Award in the Reggae Recording of The Year category. The event also celebrated other luminaries of Canadian reggae, including Manchester-born Exco Levi, who won Album of The Year for his work ‘Born to Be Free,’ and Steele, who was honored as Male Vocalist of The Year. Inoah’s ‘Chosen’ and Blk Orchid’s ‘How Long’ were recognized as Reggae Single of The Year for male and female artists, respectively. This year marked the second edition of the Reggae North Music Awards, founded by Jamaican singer and music producer Tony Anthony in response to the Juno Awards’ initial decision to eliminate the reggae category, which was later reversed. The awards ceremony aims to bolster Canada’s reggae community by acknowledging its own talents. Additional accolades were bestowed upon Eyesus and Phenique as Male and Female DJ of The Year, Trueace and Tiffanie Malvo for their dancehall singles, and Skystar and Kae Music for their contributions to the trap/fusion genre. Neto Youth and Tim Dubb were celebrated as Songwriter and Producer of The Year, respectively, while Inoah took home the Video of The Year award. The event also honored Carl ‘Grandmaster Rosa’ Green and Nana McLean with the Living Legend Award, presented by the Consul General of Jamaica, Kurt Davis. The evening concluded with a performance by Kairo Mclean and a special citation from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown to Reggae North President Mark ‘Tony Anthony’ Bennett.
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‘DONE AS A THREAT’
Olympic medallist and renowned television analyst Ato Boldon has sparked debate with his assertion that Jamaican sprint sensation Elaine Thompson Herah has likely secured her final individual medal on the global stage. Boldon, a former Trinidad and Tobago sprinter, believes that even if Thompson Herah returns to competitive track and field, she will not regain the same level of dominance she exhibited before her recent Achilles injury.
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3.3% jobless rate masks ‘crisis of underemployment and informality’
Jamaica is currently celebrating a record-low unemployment rate of 3.3 per cent, a figure that appears to signal economic progress. However, economists caution that this statistic conceals significant underlying issues, including widespread underemployment, a vast informal sector, and a disengaged youth population, all of which pose threats to the nation’s sustainable growth.
While only 49,200 Jamaicans are officially unemployed, a broader measure of labour underutilisation reveals a more concerning 6.7 per cent rate. Economist Wendel Ivey highlights that just 45 per cent of the 1.4-million-strong workforce is formally registered, indicating that over half of the labour force operates in the informal economy without social protections or job security.
For individuals like D’Angelo, a skilled chef with seven years of experience, this reality is deeply personal. He describes his work as sporadic, relying on event bookings for income. “If an event is happening, we get three or four days for that week, and in other weeks when there is no work, we try to hustle otherwise,” he explains. D’Angelo is one of 25,400 Jamaicans classified as ‘time-related underemployed’—working part-time but desiring and available for more hours. This underemployment, Ivey argues, reflects a misalignment between skills and job opportunities, limiting productivity and earnings potential.
The informal sector exacerbates these challenges. With only 641,495 PAYE taxpayers out of 1.4 million employed workers, Ivey notes that the majority of the workforce lacks formal registration, reducing tax revenues and constraining productivity growth.
A more profound crisis lies in the 124,700 young people classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), a rate of 25 per cent—well above the Latin America and Caribbean average of 18.3 per cent. Ivey warns that this represents a significant underutilisation of human capital, with long-term implications for the economy.
Job creation trends further complicate the situation. The largest employment increases have been in sectors like wholesale and retail trade, which Ivey criticises for offering limited productivity gains and low wages. This, he argues, reinforces cycles of underemployment and informality, while also contributing to brain drain as skilled workers seek opportunities abroad.
To address these issues, Ivey calls for economic diversification, particularly into manufacturing and logistics, alongside targeted skills development and entrepreneurship programmes for disengaged youth. Until these structural flaws are addressed, Jamaica’s celebrated unemployment rate will remain a superficial victory, masking deeper vulnerabilities in the labour market.
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Jamaica’s Q2 economic growth faster than initially thought, outlook strengthens
Jamaica’s economy has demonstrated robust growth in the second quarter of 2024, surpassing initial estimates and setting the stage for an even stronger performance in the third quarter. The Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported a 1.6% year-on-year expansion for the April-June period, an upward revision from the earlier 1.4% estimate released by the Planning Institute of Jamaica in August. This marks the second consecutive quarter of economic growth, signaling a steady recovery trajectory. The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) projects a further acceleration, with third-quarter growth anticipated to reach between 3% and 4%. The central bank attributes this momentum to a tight labor market and rising wage growth, which are broadening economic activity. The agricultural sector emerged as a standout performer, surging by 9.2% due to favorable weather conditions that boosted harvests of yams, vegetables, and fruits. This contributed to a 3.6% overall increase in the goods-producing sector. Tourism, a critical driver of the economy, also saw a 4.1% rise in accommodation and food services, fueled by higher foreign arrivals. However, the mining sector faced challenges, contracting by 4.8% due to operational issues at alumina refineries. Despite this setback, the BOJ remains optimistic, forecasting sustained economic expansion over the next two years, positioning Jamaica on its most stable recovery path in years.
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JFDF celebrates 11 years of experiences
The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) is set to return for its 11th edition, promising four days of unparalleled culinary experiences, vibrant entertainment, and a celebration of Jamaican culture. Scheduled for November 13-16, 2025, the festival will once again transform the gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel into a hub of gastronomic delight and cultural immersion. The official launch event, held on Friday night, offered a tantalizing preview of what attendees can expect, featuring music by DJ Franco and an array of delectable treats. Visa, the festival’s platinum partner, continues to support this iconic event, which has grown exponentially over the past decade. Co-Festival Director Nicole Pandohie expressed immense pride in the festival’s evolution, noting its transformation from a local experiment to an internationally recognized culinary showcase. ‘When we started 11 years ago, we wanted to test the waters with food and drink in Jamaica. The response was overwhelming, and now we have international chefs and media eager to participate,’ Pandohie shared. The launch event, despite being interrupted by rain, was a testament to the festival’s enduring appeal. Guests mingled in the gardens, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and indulging in the culinary offerings. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green praised the JFDF for bridging the gap between local farmers and the culinary industry, highlighting the festival’s role in spotlighting the backbone of Jamaica’s food sector. ‘This festival connects people to the hardworking farmers and fishers who make it all possible,’ Green remarked. The 2025 edition will feature a diverse lineup of events, including Kuyah, a celebration of reimagined Jamaican cuisine; Decade 2.0, featuring the popular Pork Palooza; Meet Street and the Market, showcasing fresh produce and local vendors; and the Boozy Brunch, a fitting conclusion to the festivities. With its unique blend of food, culture, and entertainment, the JFDF continues to solidify its place as a must-attend event on the global culinary calendar.
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Careless online habits
As cybercrime evolves into a trillion-dollar global industry, Jamaica’s Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) has issued a stark warning about the perilous consequences of careless online behavior. Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, marking the start of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, CIRT’s director, emphasized that while technology has advanced rapidly, many Jamaicans remain dangerously indifferent to online security. He highlighted common vulnerabilities such as weak passwords, oversharing on social media, and insecure data storage, which provide cybercriminals with easy access to sensitive information. Sterling urged the public to adopt a more vigilant approach, stating, ‘You carry your lives in your pockets. Lock your devices and treat data as your new currency.’ He also stressed the importance of securely collecting, storing, and disposing of data for businesses. Sterling revealed that many of the most severe breaches investigated by CIRT stemmed from basic errors, such as misconfigured security systems, rather than sophisticated attacks. With over three million daily internet connections in Jamaica—70% accessed via mobile devices—Sterling underscored the need for heightened caution in navigating the digital world. He also highlighted the risks posed by smart devices, which continuously collect and transmit data to build user profiles. Additionally, Sterling pointed to the influence of international conflicts on cybercrime, warning that smaller nations like Jamaica are increasingly vulnerable to spillover attacks. Despite these challenges, he identified the reluctance of victims to report incidents as the greatest barrier to strengthening Jamaica’s cybersecurity defenses. As CIRT marks its 10th anniversary, Sterling emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness across government, businesses, and individuals, aiming to develop a sustainable pipeline of local professionals to safeguard Jamaica’s digital space.
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Oh for a breath of fresh air
For over a decade, the residents and educators of Greenwich Town in South West St Andrew have been grappling with an unbearable stench emanating from the nearby National Water Commission (NWC) sewage plant. Despite repeated promises from the NWC to address the issue, the foul odor continues to plague the community, severely impacting the quality of life for its inhabitants.