The Rios fishing village in the tourist resort of St Ann now has a refreshed look, thanks to the work of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ). Responsible for regulating the operations of the island’s ports, the Authority has spearheaded numerous initiatives that are positively influencing the lives and livelihoods of people across Jamaica.

Kimberley Stiff, assistant vice-president of marketing communications at the PAJ, explained that the agency spent roughly $500 million to redevelop and improve the fishing village, nestled between the cruise ship pier and the Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios resort town. She pointed out that the fishing village is a mainstay for fishers and other residents who ply their trade such as art, craft, food and entertainment, among other ventures, at the location. However, she said the activities were largely informal and unregulated, which resulted in the area appearing dilapidated, disorganised and a cause of concern for cruise-shipping interests.

The scope of the redevelopment and improvement works include: building a two-storey structure to accommodate two large restaurants, dining pavilion and facilities for fisher-folk; construction of 18 small shops, restrooms, parking bays and walkways; sewage and electrical installations; renovation of driveway; and the reclamation and nourishment of beachfront.

Approximately 18 business operators and 50 fishers currently occupy the upgraded facilities at the fishing village.

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The University of the West Indies has secured an international grant of US$25 million, the largest in its history. United States’ Silicon Valley digital technology giant, Eon Reality, announced its partnership with the UWI that will assure the significant investment in Caribbean digital education and professional training.

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The grant will see Eon Reality, the global technology conglomerate, entering the Caribbean market as a post-COVID education development leader. According to the University, this initiative is a key part of the university’s new finance vision that seeks to “convert its global reputation into sustainable revenue”.

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Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, said that, “this is a major and very timely step for the university as it rolls out its ‘finance revolution’ according to our strategic plan. We are determined to succeed but success comes with an orderly and systematic approach and effective leadership.”

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Wisynco, a leading Jamaican distributor and manufacturer, has donated products to the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) in support of a special campaign.

The “Tek It to Dem” initiative focuses on reaching, testing and counseling the homeless and other high-risk populations in the parishes of Kingston, St. Ann and St. James.  The donation to the Council totaled 165 cases or 4,500 bottles of various beverage brands. NCDA Executive Director Michael Tucker was happy that Wisynco reached out to them to find out how they could support. “We hope other companies will take a proactive approach to supporting the less fortunate. Research has shown that there is a strong link between drug use and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.”

Wisynco Marketing Coordinator Monique Kerr said, “We were looking for ways to do more for those less fortunate – especially during this time when access to essential services has been limited for the homeless and other at-risk groups due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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PROVEN Investments Limited has entered into an agreement with Knowledge First Foundation, the parent company of Knowledge First Financial Inc., Canada’s largest Registered Education Savings Plan entity, to purchase its 100 per cent interest in Heritage Education Funds International Inc. (Heritage).

Heritage specializes in administering and managing education savings plans for clients in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, and the British Virgin Islands; and has enrolled over 50,000 children in its plan since its inception in 1983 and oversees about US$150 million in assets under management.

Said Johann Heaven, Head of Banking and Wealth at PROVEN: “We at PROVEN see this acquisition as complementary to our current financial services offerings, and an opportunity to widen our presence in the wealth management space throughout the Caribbean. The Heritage Plan is very similar to the product offerings of our other wealth management subsidiaries, with operations in Jamaica, Cayman, Bermuda and BVI, and we look forward to welcoming the Heritage clients to the fold and offering them the same first-class service that is synonymous with the PROVEN brand.”

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Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said that Jamaica continues to command the attention of the main global tourism players and remains “top of the mind” in the marketplace. He noted that during the pandemic “when very little is happening across the world”, the island took top honours in six categories at the 2020 World Travel Awards. “The world, in no uncertain terms, recognises us as trailblazers in international tourism. This is especially meaningful to us this year, as it [provides] us with hope that we are not only on the road to recovery, but there is still a vested interest in our tourism offerings across the globe,” the Minister said.

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The island was adjudged the World’s Leading Family, Cruise and Wedding Destination during the prestigious ceremony. Other awards won by Jamaica are World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa (Fleming Villa at GoldenEye); World’s Leading Villa Resort (Round Hill Hotel and Villas); World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company (Sandals Resorts International); World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand (Beaches Resorts); and World’s Leading Caribbean Attraction Company (Island Routes Caribbean Adventures).

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The World Travel Awards, which is organised by London-based entity World Media and Events Limited, was established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence across key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

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