分类： business

The Guyanese government has announced a substantial expansion of mining land access for local small-scale gold miners, with a major distribution initiative scheduled within the next quarter. Through its Ministry of Natural Resources, the administration revealed plans to allocate approximately 225 parcels of land across multiple regions, with each miner receiving an increased allocation of 50 acres—a significant upgrade from the previous standard of 27 acres.

This new ‘Troy-like’ allocation model, inspired by the successful framework implemented in the Issano 14 Mile area following Troy Resources’ departure, allows miners to relinquish exhausted parcels and apply for new 50-acre tracts. The program currently supports nearly 100 small miners in regions seven and eight, demonstrating the model’s viability.

Complementing the land distribution, the government has partnered with U.S.-based Global Venturing to conduct comprehensive aerial surveys across mining districts. These nearly completed surveys will generate high-quality geological data to inform smarter land allocations, reducing prospecting costs and environmental impact while boosting sector efficiency.

The Guyana Gold Board (GGB) will enhance market access through mobile purchasing units for remote miners, while maintaining the legal requirement that all gold must be sold to GGB or licensed buyers.

Concurrently, authorities have intensified enforcement against illegal mining, seizing over 400 pieces of equipment and prosecuting nearly 100 individuals through joint operations between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and police forces. The ministry emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward non-compliance, aiming to protect industry integrity and ensure fair returns for the nation while supporting small and medium-scale miners as the backbone of Guyana’s gold industry.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica experienced a notable deflationary trend in January 2025, with official statistics revealing a 0.8% contraction in consumer prices primarily driven by a substantial downturn in food costs. The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reported this unexpected price decline while noting that annual inflation metrics remained comfortably within the central bank’s target parameters.

The comprehensive Consumer Price Index (CPI) reduction stemmed largely from a significant 2.6% plunge in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages sector. This downward trajectory was particularly evident in fresh produce categories, where vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses collectively plummeted by 9.9%. The dramatic price correction reflects enhanced domestic agricultural output and improved supply chain dynamics. Additionally, ready-made food products witnessed an 8.4% price contraction, with notable decreases observed across multiple staple items including cabbage, carrot, cucumber, escallion, sweet pepper, and tomato.

Counteracting these deflationary pressures, the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels index advanced by 0.7%, primarily due to adjusted water supply and sewage tariffs. The Education sector experienced a 1.0% price increase driven by elevated preparatory school fees.

Regional analysis confirmed consistent deflation patterns across all geographic divisions. The Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area registered a 0.6% price decline, while Other Urban Centres and Rural Areas recorded decreases of 0.8% and 1.0% respectively.

The current deflationary episode follows substantial inflationary pressures in preceding months, including a 1.3% increase in December and a 2.4% surge in November, highlighting the volatile nature of food-driven price movements in the Jamaican economy.

Despite the monthly contraction, annualized metrics reveal persistent inflationary trends across key sectors. Food prices accumulated a 5.7% increase over the twelve-month period, with fish and seafood products soaring by 12.6%. Housing costs advanced 4.6% annually, while personal care and miscellaneous goods rose by 4.1%.

The point-to-point inflation rate spanning January 2025 to January 2026 stabilized at 3.9%, indicating maintained alignment with monetary policy objectives. The Consumer Price Index continues to serve as the primary gauge for measuring price fluctuations in goods and services acquired by private households across Jamaica.

MONTEGO BAY, St James — The St James Municipal Corporation has unveiled two transformative economic development projects set to reshape the Catherine Hall area through strategic public-private partnerships. Mayor Richard Vernon announced following last Thursday’s council meeting that these initiatives will simultaneously drive commercial growth and revitalize sports infrastructure in western Jamaica.

The cornerstone project involves a landmark partnership with Tailwind Jamaica Limited to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) adjacent to the Catherine Hall Sports Complex. The municipal corporation has made a strategic decision to divest land for this development, which represents a significant shift in how the city manages its assets for economic benefit.

Tailwind Jamaica Limited is committing approximately $3 billion to develop a comprehensive commercial complex featuring 110,000 square feet of integrated warehousing, office, and retail spaces. This substantial investment is projected to create more than 750 permanent jobs, providing a major boost to local employment. Construction is scheduled to commence this year with anticipated completion by next year.

Mayor Vernon emphasized that this initiative aligns with the corporation’s broader strategy to leverage municipal assets for economic development. “We’re strategically examining lands we can divest to expand commercial space within Montego Bay,” he stated, highlighting the shift from traditional municipal operations toward economic innovation.

Concurrently, the municipality has finalized lease arrangements for the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, addressing years of infrastructure challenges. The multi-purpose facility, originally gifted to the city, has experienced significant deterioration—particularly its athletic track—and suffered additional damage from Hurricane Melissa. The complex never fully realized its potential for hosting multiple sports disciplines.

Following approval from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, the corporation has negotiated lease terms with a private operator. A formal signing ceremony scheduled for Tuesday will officially transfer management responsibilities to the lessee, ensuring proper maintenance and expanded utilization of the sports facility.

These dual developments complement the ongoing transformation of the Catherine Hall area, which already includes the construction of a new National Bakery plant. Together, these projects position Catherine Hall as an emerging economic hub while addressing critical infrastructure needs through innovative public-private collaboration.

Campari Group is extending its celebration of self-expression through its ‘Win Your Passion Moment’ promotional campaign, which will continue through March 29th. The initiative offers participants opportunities to win premium experiences and products while embracing the brand’s core values of individuality and bold living.

Central to this marketing effort is Jamaican artist Valiant, described by Campari as the embodiment of contemporary passion and fearless self-expression. The company’s communications manager, Dominic Bell, emphasized the natural alignment between Valiant’s public persona and Campari’s brand identity: “Valiant represents what Campari stands for – that sensual individual who effortlessly commands attention. He embodies our rough-yet-sensual character who expresses himself authentically during passionate moments.”

The campaign features bi-weekly prize drawings throughout its duration, offering multiple opportunities for consumers to win. The premium prizes include: an all-expenses-paid four-night romantic getaway for two to the Dominican Republic; a luxurious four-night staycation at Sandals Jamaica resort; a complete bedroom makeover package; an exclusive Xodus Carnival costume; and a state-of-the-art 55-inch television.

Valiant expressed enthusiasm about his role as campaign ambassador: “Being the face of Campari’s Win Your Passion Moment feels incredibly natural. Passion defines everything I value—music, personal growth, and life’s journey. Campari genuinely understands this energy and celebrates those bold moments when people pursue what they believe in.”

The promotion encourages repeated participation, with consumers having multiple entry opportunities during the campaign period. Campari positions this initiative as more than a typical marketing campaign, framing it as a movement that rewards authentic living and unapologetic self-expression—values the brand has championed throughout its history.

Jamaica’s proposed extension of General Consumption Tax (GCT) to overseas digital services has prompted cautious analysis from the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), with spokesperson Christopher Brown emphasizing the need for detailed clarification on implementation mechanisms and potential effects on digital service exporters.

The revenue measure, introduced in the 2026/27 budget by Finance Minister Fayval Williams, targets foreign digital providers without physical presence in Jamaica—including streaming platforms, cloud computing services, and other digital intangibles—subjecting them to the standard 15% GCT rate. The government projects approximately $300 million in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, with significant increases anticipated in subsequent years.

Minister Williams justified the policy shift using the internationally recognized ‘destination principle,’ which applies consumption taxes based on where services are consumed rather than where providers are headquartered. This approach aims to eliminate differential treatment between local and foreign digital services while modernizing Jamaica’s tax framework for the digital economy.

Opposition spokesman Brown acknowledged the global trend toward digital service taxation but highlighted unresolved operational questions regarding enforcement methodologies and collection mechanisms. The government has yet to specify whether foreign companies will register directly or if collection will occur through intermediaries like financial institutions or telecommunications providers.

Brown expressed broader concerns about the cumulative burden of new tax measures on households, particularly affecting lower-income groups and an already strained middle class. He warned that additional levies on essential digital services—increasingly used for education, business, and communication—could create ripple effects during Jamaica’s ongoing economic recovery from recent shocks and climate-related disruptions.

While recognizing the government’s objective to broaden the tax base and ensure equitable treatment between local and foreign providers, the opposition emphasized that consumer protection and implementation clarity will be central to their evaluation. Critics anticipate that companies may pass tax costs to consumers through higher subscription fees, potentially undermining digital accessibility.

The PNP continues to analyze the full suite of budgetary tax measures and will articulate its definitive position after comprehensive assessment of the proposal’s design and socioeconomic implications.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s National Housing Trust (NHT) has moved to reassure stakeholders that its recently expanded cash refund policy will not negatively affect the agency’s financial operations or liquidity. The policy shift, which took effect in July of last year, extends cash reimbursement eligibility to all qualified contributors, including private-sector employees and self-employed individuals.

Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, clarified the financial implications during a recent JIS Think Tank session. He emphasized that the revised approach merely alters the disbursement mechanism without impacting the Trust’s fiscal planning. “These refunds represent customer-owned funds that the NHT temporarily holds and invests primarily in mortgage and construction portfolios,” Berbick explained. “The agency anticipates these disbursements and maintains full capacity to process all valid claims without operational constraints.”

The policy democratization eliminates the previous preferential treatment for public-sector workers, who previously enjoyed exclusive access to cash refunds. Other contributors previously received automatic credits toward their mortgage balances. Berbick characterized the change as primarily administrative: “This represents a shift in disbursement method rather than additional financial exposure. These funds would have reached customers regardless—either as mortgage credits or direct cash payments.”

The NHT encourages eligible contributors to utilize their online portal for streamlined processing, noting that refund claims for 2018 contributions can be submitted year-round from any location. This digital-first approach aims to enhance accessibility while maintaining processing efficiency during expected application surges.