XEROX PLANS THREE NEW CALL CENTERS FOR NEW KINGSTON—05/09/15
Xerox in Jamaica will expand its business in Kingston by adding three new call centers. The centers will create an estimated 860 jobs at new facilities in Pawsey Road, Grenada way and Haining Road. The firm will also expand in Montego Bay, taking 25,000 square feet of leased space in Barnett Tech Park. This is expected to create 450 jobs. Kevin Lightfoot, Xerox vice president for corporate communications, says the company’s expansion plans will result in approximately 7,000 new jobs in Jamaica over all.
NEW ASSOCIATION AIMS TO PROTECT JAMAICA’S LOBSTER FISHERS—05/10/15
The Jamaica Lobster Harvesters’ Association (JALHA) has been formed to protect fishers in Jamaica from poachers allegedly based in Honduras, Nicaragua and Colombia. These poachers use very large vessels and hundreds of divers, staying at sea for two and three weeks at a time. The group will address the poaching problems occurring in Jamaican waters, expand fish sanctuaries, offer training and provide financing. The JALHA is asking the government to issue permits coinciding with the beginning of the season on July 1 so that Jamaican fishers can get to the lobster-rich areas sooner and deter potential poachers with their presence.
FOUR NEW FISH SANCTUARIES CREATED—05/11/15
Jamaica will establish four new fish sanctuaries in 2015 as the government expands programs designed to protect and maintain the fishing industry. The new sanctuaries bring the total of such protected areas to 18. Fourteen of the new sanctuaries are already in operation, said Derrick Kellier, Minister of Agriculture, Labor and Social Security.
MOST COFFEE HARVESTED BEFORE MAVIS BANK FIRE—05/14/15
Luther Buchanan, Jamaica’s State Minister in the Agriculture Ministry, said that 80 percent of the coffee crop located in East Rural St. Andrew had already been reaped before the huge Mavis Bank fire started in the area. Some 500 acres of land have been destroyed by the fire, with losses totaling $200 million. According to Buchanan, farmers will experience $100 million in losses over three years, and another $100 million will be needed to help plant coffee again.
