AGP Executive Report
Last update: 9 hours agoBOJ & Markets: Bank of Jamaica governor Richard Byles says JAM-DEX adoption is moving too slowly, blaming delays in getting banks to retrofit point-of-sale systems. BOJ Financing: BOJ will offer a US$51m US$-indexed investment note on Friday, with US$48.45m for the private sector, a 4.25% fixed rate, and quarterly payments in JMD. Trade & FX: Jamaica’s trade deficit narrowed to US$458.3m in January as imports fell and exports declined; forex closed with the US dollar at $158.27. Disaster Risk & Climate: PM Holness urges hurricane preparedness; a climatologist warns 2026 may be quieter but “erratic,” with fewer storms but heavy rain and heat risks. Infrastructure & Local Capacity: Government pushes a One Road Authority and NaRRA safeguards, with Holness saying Jamaica still lacks capacity for large enterprise contracts—raising the bar for local contractors. Real Estate Demand: Realtors report a sustained property boom across Kingston/St Andrew and key corridors, driven by diaspora and infrastructure upgrades. Labour & Skills: Labour Minister Charles Jr. calls for AI skills and an inclusive labour environment. Business & Community: Red Stripe appoints Holly Bostock as managing director from July 1, becoming the first woman to lead the brand. Safety Incident: Beryllium confirms a contractor died after an explosion and fire at a garage adjacent to its Kingston compound; two victims were airlifted to the US.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.