December 9, 2020

Public- and private-sector stakeholders have endorsed the new ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System (FSMS) that was recently unveiled by the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ). The Standard, which was launched by Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, is the NCBJ’s latest product/service offering. It outlines food-safety requirements for all interests along the food production and distribution chain and maps out what individuals and organisations need to do in order to demonstrate their ability to control existing and potential hazards. These include farmers/producers, processors/manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Michelle Parkins, who spoke during the recent virtual launch held to mark World Quality Day, said that the Standard’s introduction was timely, noting that in light of the challenges associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, “ensuring food safety is a public health priority”. She added that despite the advances that have been made in food manufacturing and processing, safety remains “a significant concern”. “Through the implementation of food safety management standards, such as the ISO 22000:2018, food safety risks can be controlled and also the possible benefits of increased market access can be garnered through this certification,” Ms. Parkins pointed out. She said that the new Standard will, therefore, help food business operators to demonstrate to their consumers and other relevant stakeholders that they have implemented a critical quality system “and this will certainly provide consumer confidence in products”. Ms. Parkins assured that the Ministry and its agencies remain committed to putting the necessary mechanisms in place to support food safety along the food chain… “from farm to fork”. “The Ministry will continue to place a high priority on the protection of Jamaican consumers and global consumers of our Jamaican products and services,” she added. Ms. Parkins commended the NCBJ on its critical role in ensuring that “our food will not cause any adverse health effects for the consuming public”. “As we continue to work towards the building of a quality society and a quality economy, let us all continue to remain focused on and committed to [ensuring food safety],” she added. For her part, Executive Director of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA), Imega Breese McNab, noted that food safety and the implementation of and adherence to relevant safeguards is of “extreme importance” to the organization, of which 52 per cent of its membership is involved in the food and beverage industry. She argued that investment in food safety mechanisms will serve to bolter consumer confidence in a company’s products, ultimately boosting their loyalty. She pointed out that an intrinsic element in the customer experience is providing a finished product or service that is tailored to their health and well-being and will add value to their lives. As, such, she said that implementation of the ISO 22000:2018 FSMS will provide entities with a holistic system of controlling and safeguarding their production environment, which will assure customers that there is a food safety management system in place that demonstrates concern for their welfare. She noted that the Standard has the ability to help the productive sector to deliver on that expectation and to competitively expand their global market reach. “Therefore, we must seek to position ourselves for sustainable growth and opportunities being presented [through the ISO 22000:2018 FSMS] to improve upon our standards and credibility. We must embrace and maximise it,” she stressed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Breese McNab noted that manufacturers and exporters, especially in these times, will be looking at their bottom line, so the NCBJ has a responsibility to demonstrate to the various entities the significance that the Standard will have on customer value and need. “I congratulate the NCBJ on this pivotal move, which will help to fuel economic development. I encourage our manufacturers and exporters in the food and beverage industry to contact them and begin the conversation about becoming ISO 22000:2018-certified,” she encouraged. Stakeholders and other interests can get additional information on the ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System at www.ncbj.org.jm, or by emailinginfo@ncbj.org.jm. The NCBJ, which falls under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, offers certification services to companies in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. In addition to enhancing companies’ competitiveness, the NCBJ plays an integral role in the institutional strengthening and promotion of Jamaica’s National Quality Infrastructure. Source: https://jis.gov.jm/features/stakeholders-welcome-food-safety-management-system/

Caribshopper.com , a cultural commerce site, officially opened its virtual doors in October 2020 and currently offers a broad catalogue of Caribbean products ranging from food, health and beauty, apparel and accessories, books, art, home and living to name a few. Caribshopper.com is an online marketplace that enables consumers in the United States to purchase Caribbean products, made directly by Caribbean merchants, and have them delivered directly to their doors. “Before COVID-19, the challenges most merchants faced was the cost to export as well as the logistics. Now during COVID-19 these merchants also have to think about entering the virtual space, which for many is a cost they can’t afford. Caribshopper has become the solution to all those challenges. Caribshopper also helps to market and tell the brand stories for each merchant. “It costs merchants nothing to list on the platform. Caribshopper unlike many other platforms has no fees. Open for all merchants, Caribshopper will work with the merchants who are not export ready to get them ready with the help of partners like JAMPRO [Jamaica Promotions Corporation], so we encourage merchants to contact us on any of our platforms for more information,” informed Kadion Preston, chief executive officer of Caribshopper. Caribshopper has already listed over 130 merchants from Jamaica offering more than 1900 products. During its initial stage more than 400 products were sold and delivered throughout the US in an average of three-and-a-half days. Merchants from Trinidad are now being on boarded to the platform and will start shipping this month. Caribshopper pivoted in 2019 to focus purely on export from the Caribbean to the rest of the world. Developing the Caribbean and creating a platform to showcase the talent, quality of products and developing the economy is what fueled the pivot. Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-observer/caribshopper-the-online-sales-platform-promoting-caribbean-products-over-130-jamaican-merchants-have-listed-thus-far_209451?profile=1056

AFTER a nine-month hiatus from the Panama/Jamaica airspace due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panamanian-owned Copa Airlines soared to the skies on Monday (December 7), at almost full capacity, to regain its slot at Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay. The re-entry of Copa Airlines into Montego Bay is a realisation of a combined effort between the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and MBJ Airports Limited – the lessee of Sangster International Airport. The synergy between Copa Airlines and the Jamaican Government will result in an increase in the collection of taxes and fees for the Government, which is well needed at this time. Ninety-eight passengers and a seven-member crew were greeted by a local welcoming party headed by the JTB’s regional director of tourism, Odette Dyer. She was accompanied by chairman of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (Montego Bay Chapter) Nadine Spence, as well as representatives from the airline and the SIA. “We are very pleased to welcome the re-entry of Copa Airlines, one of the JTB’s very valuable partners in the tourism industry. This gives us more hope that our tourism sector will rebound. It inspires us to continue being relentless in marketing Jamaica as the premier destination in the Caribbean,” said Dyer. “I am elated. The return of any flight into the destination is very significant, especially during this pandemic.” Explaining that Copa Airlines services more than 80 gateways in Latin America she said it aligns well with the strategic objectives of the JTB, adding that it is the JTB’s pathway into that particular market. “The more people visiting Jamaica increases our chances of employing and re-employing Jamaicans into the tourism sector,” Dyer added. Dyer said more recently that Jamaica has been seeing more persons from Latin America visiting for vacation purposes, which has encouraged the JTB to explore that market in a more holistic manner. Statistics and air service development analyst at the SIA, Nadia Anglin-Nolan said Copa Airlines will operate a once-weekly flight (Mondays only) between Tocumen International Airport out of Panama City and Sangster International Airport during the month of December, and would likely increase their service according to demands. Anglin-Nolan reminded Jamaicans and Panamanians that there are no visa requirements to travel to either countries so they should consider visiting for holidays and shopping, particularly during Panama’s summer months of January onwards. JHTA’s area chairman, Nadine Spence said the resumption of Copa Airlines and others into Montego Bay has brought excitement and hope to the hospitality sector. “Today Copa has shown that they believe in Jamaica, the brand, the climate, the culture and its people. “We have it all. While some other airlines are in a wait and see mode, Copa has stayed true to their word by returning to our airspace. It alleviates some of the anxiety we have been experiencing in the sector. We are grateful to Copa,” Spence affirmed. Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-observer/copa-airlines-returns-to-jamaica-after-nine-month-break_209464?profile=1056