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  • Business community pleased as cruise ships return to MoBay

    Business community pleased as cruise ships return to MoBay

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Jamaica’s economic revival following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa has received a significant boost with the resumption of cruise tourism operations in St. James Parish. The Carnival Liberty made its inaugural post-hurricane docking at Montego Bay’s port Wednesday, delivering hundreds of visitors to the island’s premier tourism destination.

    The arrival marks a critical milestone in Jamaica’s recovery narrative, with tourism officials and business leaders hailing the development as transformative for local commerce. Jason Russell, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the strategic importance of tourism resumption for national economic stabilization.

    “This reactivation directly benefits commercial operators throughout the parish,” Russell stated to local media. “Our comprehensive recovery fundamentally depends on restoring tourist inflows and revitalizing foreign exchange circulation.”

    The Category Five hurricane had previously dealt a severe blow to Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure, making the return of maritime visitors particularly symbolic. Industry executives note that cruise tourism uniquely supports grassroots economic participants including transportation providers, artisan vendors, retail establishments, and recreational attractions.

    Joy Roberts, Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations—the Ministry of Tourism’s cruise travel division—explained the strategic prioritization of maritime tourism during reconstruction. “Recognizing hotel capacity limitations, we focused on ensuring cruise continuity since this sector directly sustains small-scale entrepreneurs and service providers,” Roberts elaborated.

    Montego Bay’s economic ecosystem remains profoundly interconnected with tourism, which accounts for over 50% of local employment and economic activity. Industry assessments indicate that cruise companies have maintained confidence in Jamaica’s operational standards despite hurricane-related challenges.

    Russell characterized the rapid resumption as potentially “record-breaking” in post-disaster tourism recovery. “A cruise ship’s arrival isn’t discretionary—it reflects rigorous assessment of port infrastructure and destination readiness. Their presence confirms our operational compliance,” he emphasized.

    Officials specifically acknowledged the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, chaired by John Byles, for expediting the return of visitor confidence. Additional cruise arrivals are scheduled throughout the coming weeks as Jamaica progresses toward full restoration of pre-hurricane maritime tourism schedules.

    Roberts concluded that the successful return demonstrates both Jamaica’s resilience and visitors’ enduring attraction to the destination, with early ship arrivals already generating substantial pedestrian activity in tourism districts.

  • Kintyre Holdings acquires Kulcha Rum

    Kintyre Holdings acquires Kulcha Rum

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a strategic move signaling significant expansion within the Caribbean spirits sector, Jamaican investment firm Kintyre Holdings (JA) has formally announced its acquisition of the complete Kulcha Rum enterprise. The transaction, finalized on Wednesday, encompasses all commercial operations, intellectual property rights, and the entire product portfolio associated with the distinctive rum brand.

    The acquisition was executed through the purchase of the business from existing owners Richard Lee, proprietor of Miracle Corporation, and Jamaican entrepreneur Peter Bovell. Kulcha Rum, which is presently contract-distilled at a facility on Pechon Street in downtown Kingston, enjoys national distribution through Miracle Corporation. As part of an aggressive growth strategy orchestrated by Kintyre Holdings, additional distribution partnerships are slated to be established to broaden the brand’s market reach.

    Under the new ownership structure, Kulcha Rum will be integrated into a newly formed Spirits Division within Kintyre Holdings. This division has been specifically created to spearhead the company’s ambitious foray into Jamaica’s lucrative rum and spirits industry. The brand’s existing product line, which features White Rum, Gold Rum, and an innovative cannabis-inspired variant, remains intact. Notably, the flavored offering utilizes herbal notes for its distinctive profile while maintaining full compliance with Jamaican regulatory standards for non-infused spirits.

    This acquisition coincides with a period of remarkable financial performance for Kintyre Holdings, which reported record-breaking results for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025. The purchase represents a key component of the company’s ongoing mergers and acquisitions strategy, designed to diversify its investment holdings and capitalize on high-growth market segments. The involved parties have indicated that a forthcoming press conference will be scheduled to provide further details on the acquisition and its implications for the future of the Kulcha Rum brand.

  • MLSS reaffirms commitment to accessibility as Jamaica marks International Day for persons with disabilities

    MLSS reaffirms commitment to accessibility as Jamaica marks International Day for persons with disabilities

    Jamaica has launched a comprehensive national initiative to rebuild the country as a fully accessible society, marking the International Day for Persons with Disabilities with concrete policy actions and firm governmental commitments.

    At a national public forum hosted at The Summit in Kingston, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. declared accessibility a fundamental human right and critical component of national development strategy. “Today, we affirm that accessibility is a right, a national priority, and a core pillar of sustainable development,” Minister Charles stated emphatically. “Creating an accessible Jamaica is not the work of just one ministry; it is the work of a nation.”

    The minister emphasized that with approximately 15% of Jamaica’s population living with disabilities, their full inclusion represents both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity. The initiative aligns directly with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 national development plan, positioning accessibility as essential for harnessing the nation’s complete innovative capacity and talent pool.

    Dr. Christine Hendricks, Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, moderated the forum and framed the discussion as a national call to action. “Universal Design must guide every decision we make as we reconstruct physical spaces, strengthen digital systems, and modernise public services,” Dr. Hendricks asserted. “Accessibility is not an accommodation—it is a fundamental requirement for national development.”

    The ministry unveiled a three-pillar strategy for national accessibility transformation:

    Digital Inclusion: Implementing WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards across government platforms, conducting comprehensive digital accessibility audits, and expanding assistive technology training programs for visually and hearing impaired citizens.

    Physical Infrastructure Enhancement: Strengthening enforcement of the updated Jamaica Building Code (2023), retrofitting public facilities using standardized accessibility checklists, and modernizing public transportation systems to ensure universal access.

    Service Delivery Improvement: Increasing certified Jamaican Sign Language interpreters, promoting plain-language communication protocols, and implementing disability sensitization training for all frontline public-sector employees.

    The forum featured a panel of national stakeholders including representatives from the Architects Association of Jamaica, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Jamaica Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, demonstrating cross-sectoral commitment to the accessibility agenda.

  • Haiti moves closer to staging fresh elections

    Haiti moves closer to staging fresh elections

    Haiti’s transitional government has achieved a critical breakthrough by formally adopting a long-awaited electoral law, marking the most substantial progress toward presidential elections since 2016. This legislative move establishes the legal foundation for restoring democratic governance in the Caribbean nation following years of political instability and severe gang violence.

    The Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), established in April 2024 to steer Haiti through its crisis, approved the legislation alongside the council of ministers. Frinel Joseph, one of two non-voting observers on the nine-member council, characterized the development as “a decisive turning point in the transition” through his official social media communication on Monday.

    Despite this procedural advancement, the adoption process revealed significant internal divisions. Three of the council’s seven voting members deliberately absented themselves from the crucial meeting in an apparent attempt to block the legislation’s passage. Their absence failed to prevent adoption, though the law must still be published in Haiti’s official gazette to attain full legal status.

    The TPC faces mounting challenges beyond internal discord. Some members allegedly seek to leverage the electoral timeline to extend their authority beyond the February 2026 transition deadline and remove incumbent Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Meanwhile, human rights advocates have expressed concerns about the legislation’s insufficient eligibility safeguards, citing criticisms of the draft proposal circulated before Monday’s vote.

    Haiti’s last presidential election occurred in 2016 when Jovenel Moïse achieved victory among 27 candidates. His July 2021 assassination—which injured his wife and involved former Colombian soldiers—remains unresolved in Haitian courts despite ongoing proceedings in the United States.

    Political analysts caution that while the electoral law constitutes necessary progress, Haiti’s path to legitimate elections remains fraught with institutional challenges and security obstacles that could undermine democratic restoration.

  • Hidden dangers after hurricane passes

    Hidden dangers after hurricane passes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Beyond the visible wreckage of toppled trees and flooded streets, hurricanes leave a more insidious threat lurking within Jamaica’s food supply chain. The period following severe weather creates a perfect storm for contamination, where floodwaters carrying sewage and chemicals combine with power outages that compromise refrigeration systems. These conditions create critical vulnerabilities in kitchens, warehouses, and distribution centers across the island.

    Dr. Roy McNeil, Chief Food Storage Officer of Jamaica’s Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID), emphasizes that food safety standards transform from routine practice to urgent public health necessity following hurricanes. The division activates its Inspectorate and Disinfestation Unit, deploying teams to assess food facilities across affected parishes while leveraging five specialized laboratories for scientific analysis of potential contaminants.

    The immediate 24-72 hour window after a storm proves most critical. Dr. McNeil advises that safety begins with structural assessments and hazard elimination before any food evaluation. Refrigeration failures demand particular attention—perishable items left unrefrigerated beyond safe time limits must be discarded regardless of appearance or smell, as dangerous pathogens like E. coli and salmonella don’t affect sensory qualities.

    Floodwater contact necessitates immediate disposal of affected food items, including dry goods in non-waterproof packaging. Porous materials like cardboard and wooden utensils typically cannot be salvaged due to deep microbial penetration. While undamaged factory-sealed metal cans might be saved through rigorous cleaning, the governing principle remains: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

    The recovery phase introduces complex pest management challenges as flooding displaces rodents and insects toward human habitats. The FSPI Act defines infestation broadly and mandates specific structural protections—water-resistant surfaces, mesh-sealed ventilation, and properly fitted drains—to exclude pests during rebuilding. The division advocates for non-chemical control methods where possible and requires strict adherence to regulations when pesticides are necessary.

    FSPID inspectors maintain vigilant oversight throughout recovery, examining warehouses, retail establishments, and transport vehicles with authority to detain, seize, or destroy compromised products. This multilayered approach—combining regulatory enforcement, scientific analysis, and public education—forms Jamaica’s defensive barrier against post-hurricane foodborne illness outbreaks, ensuring the nation’s food remains safe and nourishing despite climatic challenges.

  • Belize elects first woman to head major political party

    Belize elects first woman to head major political party

    BELMOPAN, Belize — In a landmark moment for Central American politics, Tracy Taegar-Panton has been formally inaugurated as the first woman to lead Belize’s primary opposition force, the United Democratic Party (UDP). This historic appointment signals a strategic pivot for the party as it endeavors to heal internal fractures and reestablish its political standing.

    Addressing the significance of her new role, Taegar-Panton stated, ‘The magnitude of the responsibility does not escape me. While I am profoundly excited for both Belize and the party, I approach this with sober reflection. This reset is imperative, presenting a crucial opportunity to rebuild and restore public trust and confidence.’

    Her ascension to the leadership culminates a period of intense internal conflict and legal disputes with former party leader Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. The power struggle led to Taegar-Panton establishing the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP and involved a court battle that initially favored Barrow. Nevertheless, Barrow facilitated what he described as a ‘peaceful’ transfer of power, publicly offering his prayers for her success in guiding the party back to government.

    The political shift also marks the return of former leader John Saldivar to the UDP fold. Saldivar, who briefly led the party in 2020 before resigning amid allegations connecting him to an international fraud and money laundering case involving convicted criminal Lev Dermen, asserts his experience is vital for party reunification. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating, ‘The people know me, they know what I’m about. There have been some unfortunate circumstances which I believe have been explained.’

    Taegar-Panton’s political trajectory has been groundbreaking. After securing her seat in the March general elections—a contest Barrow lost—she subsequently became Belize’s first female Leader of the Opposition. In her capacity as UDP Political Leader, she has committed to initiating a fresh start and articulating a bold, forward-looking vision for the nation’s future.

  • Melissa adds $29b to Budget as reflected in Third Supplementary Estimates

    Melissa adds $29b to Budget as reflected in Third Supplementary Estimates

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican government has formally presented a substantial fiscal injection of J$29.3 billion (approximately $187 million USD) into the national treasury for the 2025-26 financial year. This allocation was detailed in the Third Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure, tabled before the House of Representatives on Tuesday by Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams.

    Minister Williams explicitly attributed the entire supplementary budget to addressing the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, underscoring the government’s dual focus on crisis response and maintaining essential services. “Alongside those Melissa-induced spending is the Government’s own spending to keep Government going,” Williams stated during the parliamentary session.

    The budgetary distribution reveals a targeted approach to national recovery. The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development is designated to receive the largest portion, J$7.2 billion, earmarked for critical road infrastructure repairs and the urgent procurement of 3,300 containerized housing units for displaced citizens.

    Significant funding has also been allocated to other key ministries for relief operations:
    – J$4.6 billion to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to support post-hurricane relief, fund the National Solid Waste Management Authority’s cleanup initiatives, and bolster municipal corporations.
    – J$3.4 billion to the Ministry of Tourism, a vital sector for the island’s economy.
    – J$3.2 billion to the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change.
    – J$3 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining to assist the heavily impacted farming and fishing industries.
    – J$1.5 billion to the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications.

    The proposed expenditures are now subject to legislative scrutiny, with the Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee scheduled to convene on Wednesday for a detailed examination before the House grants final approval.

  • WATCH: KFC opens first restaurant in St Thomas

    WATCH: KFC opens first restaurant in St Thomas

    ST THOMAS, Jamaica — Amid ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa, Restaurant of Jamaica (ROJ) has inaugurated its new KFC establishment in Morant Bay, marking a significant milestone for local economic revitalization. The facility commenced operations on Tuesday under the leadership of ROJ Brand Manager Andrei Roper, who characterized the launch as both a symbolic and practical step toward regional recovery.

    Roper acknowledged the profound challenges faced by communities across Jamaica, particularly in western regions and St Thomas parish, where hurricane impacts have been most severe over the past month. “This opening represents our commitment to normalcy and progress despite recent adversities,” he stated during the inauguration ceremony.

    The executive emphasized ROJ’s long-term investment strategy, noting the immediate positive public response with customers arriving early and maintaining steady patronage throughout opening day. Beyond immediate commerce, Roper highlighted the restaurant’s role in job creation, community partnerships, and broader economic development throughout the St Thomas region.

    This expansion forms part of ROJ’s strategic growth initiative, demonstrating corporate resilience while contributing to post-disaster economic stabilization. The operation expects to establish enduring community ties while generating sustained employment opportunities and commercial partnerships across the parish.

  • Fiscal Rules suspended as GDP takes a 5.3% hit from Melissa

    Fiscal Rules suspended as GDP takes a 5.3% hit from Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s parliament has authorized a temporary suspension of the nation’s Fiscal Rules following an official determination that Hurricane Melissa caused economic damage exceeding legislative thresholds. The decision came after Finance Minister Fayval Williams presented data to the House of Representatives on Tuesday showing the storm’s impact reached at least 1.5% of GDP, triggering provisions under Jamaican law that allow for fiscal flexibility during national emergencies.

    The Independent Fiscal Commission received comprehensive assessments from multiple government entities including the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Bank of Jamaica, and the Finance Ministry, all confirming the hurricane’s severe economic consequences. Minister Williams revealed that the total fiscal impact is projected to reach 5.3% of GDP over the period spanning fiscal years 2025/2026 through 2029/2030, significantly surpassing the 1.5% legislative threshold required for suspension.

    The approved Order grants the Administration necessary fiscal space for recovery and reconstruction efforts during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The suspension initially covers a one-year period, with provisions allowing the finance ministry to seek parliamentary approval for extensions if warranted by ongoing recovery needs.

    Economic projections have been substantially revised downward, with real GDP now expected to decline by 4.3% for fiscal year 2025/26—a dramatic reversal from the 2.2% growth forecast presented in February’s Fiscal Policy Paper. Medium-term projections indicate a gradual recovery with real GDP growth averaging between 1-2% as the economy rebounds from the current contraction.

    Despite the economic challenges, officials anticipate inflation will stabilize within the Bank of Jamaica’s target range of 4-6%, providing some macroeconomic stability during the recovery period.

  • Cruise tourism resumes sailing in Falmouth

    Cruise tourism resumes sailing in Falmouth

    FALMOUTH, Jamaica — In a significant milestone for regional economic recovery, Jamaica’s historic Falmouth Cruise Port resumed operations Tuesday with the simultaneous docking of Caribbean Princess and Norwegian Star. This event marks the port’s first cruise activity since Hurricane Melissa disrupted operations over a month ago.

    The return of maritime tourism has been hailed as critical to revitalizing the local economy. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, during a preparatory visit last Saturday, emphasized the strategic importance of restoring cruise operations to Falmouth’s economic ecosystem.

    Minister McKenzie revealed the extensive multi-agency collaboration behind the reopening: “A coordinated effort between all stakeholders has been mobilized to prepare Falmouth for these vessels. The municipal corporation has been working intensively with the Port Authority, Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO), and other agencies to restore essential infrastructure and services.”

    While acknowledging the long-term nature of full restoration, McKenzie stressed the immediate importance of resuming operations: “The return of cruise tourism represents vital economic support for the community during this recovery phase. These initial steps, though partial, are fundamental to the town’s commercial survival.”

    Falmouth becomes the third Jamaican port to restore cruise operations following earlier reopenings in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, signaling a broader normalization of Jamaica’s crucial tourism infrastructure after recent weather disruptions.