AGP Executive Report

Jamaica Power Shock: Jamaica’s island-wide blackout is back under the microscope as the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) engages JPS, seeks a preliminary report on the cause, response and system stability, and asks for corrective steps to prevent a repeat. Water Resilience Debate: Water Minister Matthew Samuda pushes back on calls for faster solar adoption for NWC backup power, saying the government is already investing in resilience measures. Skills & Training Pressure: Education and technical training leaders are challenging whether HEART/NSTA Trust is delivering enough for Jamaica’s construction labour needs, as shortages threaten housing and infrastructure delivery. Business & Investment Moves: NUGL and Cannibble begin a Jamaica market evaluation of functional beverage samples through Kaya Pizza and Square Grouper Bars, aiming to test consumer demand beyond core cannabis. Trade/Finance Signals: Jamaica’s NIR rose to US$6.48 billion in May, while the BOJ offered $1.3 billion in liquidity support to DTIs. Regional Growth Link: Afreximbank deepens engagement with Jamaica with a US$5b financing push focused on trade, investment and industrialisation.

Banking & FX: Jamaica’s net international reserves rose about 0.5% to US$6.48b in May, lifting import coverage to 40 weeks. Central Bank Liquidity: The Bank of Jamaica allocated $1.3b from $2.3b in bids in its liquidity operation to deposit-taking institutions. Energy & Water Resilience: Water Minister Matthew Samuda hit back at claims the NWC isn’t preparing for JPS failures, saying resilience steps are already underway. Labour & Skills: HEART/NSTA Trust is under fire for not delivering enough for the construction sector as Jamaica faces a shortage of skilled trades. Retirement Planning: Scotia Jamaica Life urged structured retirement savings beyond the NIS, highlighting low private pension participation. Infrastructure Push: Western Jamaica is set to get most of 55 new bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, starting with the Troy Bridge opening. Trade Policy Watch: Opposition warns CARICOM should proceed carefully on a proposed 15% tariff on glass bottle imports. Disaster Finance: Credit unions supported disaster recovery in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, helping restore branches and services. Tourism/Branding: Sandals’ estate dispute ends in a settlement, while BYD becomes Official Car Sponsor of CPL 2026.

Power & Water Crisis: JPS will submit an OUR report on Friday’s islandwide blackout, with an initial account pointing to lightning activity near major generating stations and transmission facilities, while thousands still faced water disruptions as the utility outlines corrective steps to reduce recurrence. Energy Governance: Opposition MPs argue the outage exposed how NWC plants are too dependent on the JPS grid, calling for a sector-wide energy resilience plan for water treatment. Capital Markets: The Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded a May decline, with the Main Index down 1.58% and trading value falling sharply, even as the market remains positive year-to-date. Regional Finance & Trade: Afreximbank held an inaugural Kingston roadshow to deepen Jamaica’s trade, investment and industrialisation financing, building on a US$5b facility for the Caribbean. Tourism Investment: Sandals plans a US$200m redesign of three Jamaica resorts, upgrading suites, dining and guest experiences. Corporate Results: Pan Jamaica Group reported record 2025 earnings, with net profit up 37% to J$6.3b, while Jamaica Producers Group posted a 42% profit jump to J$2.3b. Infrastructure Leadership: The National Works Agency advertised for a new CEO as Everton “EG” Hunter’s long tenure ends, amid continued public pressure over road conditions. Business Expansion: Lasco Group says it will significantly expand exports, targeting higher value-added products and new acquisitions across the region and North America.

Power & Water Disruption: Jamaica’s islandwide blackout left households and businesses in the dark after lightning-linked damage triggered a “cascading effect,” with JPS reporting phased restoration and water supply still affected for tens of thousands of customers; the OUR has demanded reports from JPS and Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called the outage “unacceptable,” while NWC said major systems are being brought back as tanks are recharged. Housing Finance: In the Senate, Christian Tavares-Finson backed continued NHT withdrawals for budget support but warned drawdowns shouldn’t become permanent, as the bill clears to allow $11.4b over five years. Workforce Development: Jamaica is “future-proofing” jobs via a National Employment Policy partnership with the ILO, aiming to prepare for tech change, climate shocks and the platform economy. Youth & Social Support: Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation gets a $4.5m boost to strengthen programmes for adolescent mothers. Governance & Risk: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Haiti lowest in the Caribbean, while Jamaica’s own innovation and modern-economy building blocks face criticism in Parliament. Regional Connectivity: New airline interline partnerships in the Eastern Caribbean target smoother travel and less fragmented airlift.

Power & Water Crisis: Jamaica is still working through fallout from an islandwide blackout that hit Friday night, with JPS saying lightning damaged transmission lines and triggered a cascading grid failure; OUR has ordered a preliminary report by Monday and a full submission in 30 days, while water restoration remains uneven for tens of thousands of NWC customers. Accountability & Policy: Opposition energy spokesman Philip Paulwell and Energy Minister Daryl Vaz are demanding answers and transparency as regulators scrutinize JPS’s response and corrective actions. Business & Growth: A parliamentary committee will review flexible work arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours, as fuel and economic pressures squeeze households and employers. Governance Watch: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Haiti lowest in the Caribbean, while several regional states remain stronger performers—another signal for investor and policy risk. Regional Connectivity: New airline interline partnerships across the Eastern Caribbean aim to reduce fragmented travel and make island-hopping cheaper and easier. Sports & Economy: World Cup 2026 earnings and preparation stories continue to dominate, including South Africa’s reported jackpot for qualifying and Jamaica’s role in pre-tournament friendlies.

Energy & Utilities: Jamaica’s islandwide blackout is under investigation after JPS said lightning damaged transmission facilities and triggered an unexpected cascading grid failure; OUR ordered a preliminary report by Monday and a full report within 30 days, while about 65,000 customers still lacked water as power restoration continued. Housing & Public Finance: The Senate approved continued National Housing Trust (NHT) withdrawals of $11.4B annually for budget support through FY2030/31, as Government cites Hurricane Melissa’s fiscal pressure; NHT withdrawals and recovery spending were also defended in the latest debate. Infrastructure Delivery: Prime Minister Holness commissioned the $230M Troy Bridge at the Manchester/Trelawny border, framing it as “reconnection” after years of disruption. Agriculture & Food Supply: Hurricane Melissa’s impact is rippling into the honey market, with beekeepers and manufacturers reporting shortages and higher costs; separately, Caribbean hot sauce makers warn of Scotch bonnet pepper shortages and price pressure. Business & Investment: JN Properties says diaspora investors are increasingly seeking professional property management as overseas owners look for trusted systems to protect assets. Governance & Data: Delays to Jamaica’s Data Protection Oversight Committee were blamed on difficulty finding a retired High Court judge, prompting calls for legislative review.

Power Crisis: Jamaica is scrambling to restore electricity after a rare island-wide blackout hit Friday night; Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called it “unacceptable,” ordered an emergency meeting with JPS, and said lightning may have disrupted key grid infrastructure as power returned to about 500,000 of 700,000 customers by early Saturday, with full restoration expected soon. Trade & Competitiveness: STATIN reports Jamaica’s merchandise trade activity weakened in Jan/Feb 2026, with imports down 8.1% and export earnings falling 28.8% year-on-year, driven by lower crude materials (excluding fuels). Housing Finance: The Senate approved amendments to the NHT Act allowing the Government to withdraw $11.4B annually for five years to support the Budget, while lawmakers also flagged capacity constraints and a shortage of skilled construction workers. Infrastructure Delivery: PM Holness says Jamaica can’t afford slow bureaucracy, pointing to the Troy Bridge reopening as a lesson in faster project delivery and better governance. Workforce Development: Opposition spokesman Peter Bunting wants HEART/NSTA-Trust reshaped to better match a fast-changing, AI-driven labour market. Business & Community: Express Canteen Services donated J$1m to help Sts Peter and Paul’s Prep defend their title at the upcoming Prep School Championships.

Power & Energy: Jamaica suffered an island-wide blackout Friday night after a system failure, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “unacceptable” and ordering a probe; JPS says power restoration is phased and customers are being updated as stations restart. Trade & FX: Exports earnings fell 28.8% to $217.7m in Jan–Feb, while Bank of Jamaica injected another US$30m into the forex market to ease pressure; it also plans to mop up J$55b to tighten liquidity. Tourism & Investment: Afreximbank launched its first Jamaica roadshow to boost trade, investment and industrialisation financing; meanwhile, Jamaica’s tourism push continues with the Caribbean Tourism Supply-Side initiative and Sandals’ $200m resort rebuild timelines. Banking & Business Moves: NCB will relocate its Falmouth branch to Champion Plaza on July 6; Stewart’s Automotive opened a US$7m GWM showroom in Kingston. Logistics & Consumer Services: Showfa Express and Paymaster launched Showfa One, a flat-rate parcel delivery service at $690 via four Paymaster locations. Public Policy: Parliament’s Economy and Production Committee will review flexible work hours and work-from-home policies as fuel and cost pressures mount.

Offshore Oil Outlook: Jamaica is watching early results from southeast Morant Bay exploratory drilling, with officials urging “cautiously optimistic” patience as any development timeline points to late-2020s construction and production in the 2030s. Disaster-Ready Construction: A revised Building Code will require Category Five hurricane-resistant construction, with stronger Municipal Corporation enforcement, compliance checks, and penalties for illegal building. Reconstruction Leadership: NaRRA CEO Ambassador Antony Anderson says his engineering and complex project management background positions him to coordinate Jamaica’s next infrastructure push. Blue Economy Push: Jamaica is calling for more financing and technical support for SIDS to strengthen ocean governance, citing blue economy’s major jobs and GDP role. Rent Control Fight (Queens): NYC’s Rent Guidelines Board hearings draw tenant pressure for freezes/rollbacks as the city weighs affordability versus landlord returns. Finance & Markets: Afreximbank launches a Kingston roadshow to boost trade, investment and industrialisation; Bank of Jamaica Governor Byles urges banks to cut lending rates; Derrimon expects overdue 2025 audited accounts by June 30; Derrimon shares remain suspended. Security & Compliance: MOCA charges three more suspects in the NCB phishing scam, bringing total charged to 20. Business Expansion: Kingston Wharves eyes doubling capacity with a potential Tinson Pen land acquisition; Delorvan’s W18 seven-storey mixed-use project targets December 2027 completion.

Housing & Disaster Recovery: PM Holness says another 300 container homes arrive today, with 1,200 already in Jamaica and the rest expected by July, as the country scales up relocation after Hurricane Melissa. Insurance & Regulation: FSC executive Keron Burrell tells senators to “look in the mirror” after pushing back on claims that insurers weren’t properly consulted on proposed insurance fee increases. Governance & Crime: CMU says an arrested staffer over alleged misuse of student funds shows its internal controls work; MOCA also charges three more in the $47.5m NCB phishing scam. Hurricane Readiness Spending: Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie announces $60m for emergency shelter upgrades and NSWMA prepositioning and fuel reserves for the 2026 hurricane season. Business & Exports: JMEA urges manufacturers to diversify export markets after a 13.4% export decline; BPO leaders reject Opposition AI “doom” claims, saying competitiveness is the real issue. Tech Policy: Government moves to fully activate the Data Protection Act’s enforcement and sets a National AI Draft Policy by November 2026. Logistics & Trade: Jamaica hosts Afreximbank’s roadshow to unlock trade and investment financing. Tourism & Community: Golden Krust pledges to rebuild canteens at seven hurricane-damaged schools; Jamaica wins a Caribbean Media Award for its “Love Island Influencers” campaign.

Public Sector Pressure: The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) has urged the Ministry of Finance to urgently settle an outstanding travelling allowance claim dating back to 2024, saying workers are being squeezed by rising commuting costs, road deterioration, and unresolved salary issues. Construction & Materials: Caribbean Cement Co Ltd says cement supply is back on track after April weather disruptions, reporting production up more than 50% and dispatches up over 23%, with record sales of 110,757 tonnes and additional imports planned. Disaster Readiness & Resilience: Jamaica is part of wider CARIFORUM BRICS Programme work, with a final steering committee meeting in Antigua focused on disaster risk readiness and on-the-ground mitigation projects. Transport Costs: Western taxi associations in St James have delayed a planned 16% fare hike until July’s minimum wage increase, while commuters brace for staggered PPV fare changes. Governance & Security: Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith dismissed claims that the USS Nimitz port visit is meant to intimidate Cuba, calling it a scheduled goodwill stop under maritime cooperation. Healthcare & Skills: Jamaica secured an increase in stipends for scholarship students in Cuba and pushed for early fund release; meanwhile, UTech hospitality students received Table Talk Food Awards scholarships and bursaries. Food Safety: Jamaica marked World Food Safety Day with renewed focus on safer food handling to protect public health, tourism, and trade.

JSE Junior Market: Derrimon Trading Company shares were suspended after audited financial statements for 2025 became 92 days overdue, with trading halted until the filings are submitted. Public Finance Watch: Jamaica’s debt-to-GDP ratio edged up to an imputed 65.6% at end-March, as public debt rose 8% year-on-year, according to the Independent Fiscal Commission. Disaster & Resilience: ODPEM signed a GeoConnect data governance MOU to speed real-time hurricane damage assessments and reduce duplicate benefits; Jamaica also plans a new building code this year requiring Category 5-ready construction and stricter enforcement. Cybersecurity Governance: Cabinet will consider creating the NCCAC to coordinate national cybersecurity, including a 24/7 incident reporting “front door” and a new National Cybersecurity Act within set timelines. Local Economy & Services: NSWMA will launch a $200m public education push to cut illegal dumping and improve waste collection after Hurricane Melissa; Caribbean Cement reports supply up over 20% after April rainfall disruptions. Transport & Cost of Living: JUTC is reminding riders that seats are first-come, first-served and will support Reggae Sumfest 2026 with dedicated transport packs. Hurricane Season Readiness: Liberty Caribbean says it has strengthened network resilience and emergency response ahead of the June 1 start. Justice & Governance: Opposition MP Zuleika Jess renewed calls for JP stipends, arguing “justice cannot run on charity alone,” and also flagged a “crisis in the courts” in hurricane-hit western parishes. Forex: US$ ended at J$159.11.

Hurricane readiness & risk: Jamaica’s disaster response push is getting a boost as ODPEM is being repositioned into a National Resilience Organisation, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness outlining organisational upgrades and new hires ahead of the 2026 Atlantic season. Cyber & early childhood innovation: Jamaica’s Cybersecurity Standards Framework is now complete, with a tested National Cyber Incident Response Plan and US$10m approved through 2029; meanwhile the NEST early science programme is rolling out to 500 early childhood institutions islandwide by end-2026. Tourism jobs & local linkages: Tourism 3.0 is officially being framed as a shift from visitor numbers to wider community benefit, with Minister Edmund Bartlett stressing local ownership and stronger supply chains. Agriculture resilience & investment clarity: Opposition agriculture spokesman Dr Dayton Campbell is calling for a permanent disaster recovery fund for farmers and fisherfolk, while CARICOM’s private sector leaders say investors need clearer, bankable business cases to fund food security. Transport cost pressure: Public passenger vehicle fares are rising in two phases (8% now, 8% July 1), but operators and commuters are frustrated by the lack of a revised fare table and unclear implementation. Local business security: A $100,000 safe was stolen from a Cypress Hills restaurant, with investigators releasing photos and linking the suspect to other break-ins. Science-to-policy governance: Jamaica’s ST&I Strategic Plan 2026-2035 is headed to Cabinet, aiming to connect research, innovation and national development through a new “House of Innovation” framework.

PPV Fare Shock: Jamaica’s phased 16% public passenger vehicle increase starts today with an 8% jump, followed by another 8% on July 1—drivers say costs forced earlier adjustments, while commuters in Ocho Rios and beyond question the timing and fear higher transport costs will squeeze already-stressed household budgets. Energy & Resilience: OUR has approved a US$106.6m parametric insurance package for JPS ahead of the 2026 hurricane season, and JPS says it has fully restored power to all customers after Hurricane Melissa—while talks continue on a new all-island electricity licence. Agriculture Under Pressure: Opposition MP Dr Dayton Campbell is pushing for a permanent Agricultural and Fisheries Disaster Recovery Fund, and coffee exporters warn of massive job losses unless urgent government support is delivered. BPO Jobs at Risk: Science/tech opposition spokesman Christopher Brown questions the Government’s plans for Jamaica’s BPO sector as AI threatens call-centre work. Hurricane Melissa Aftermath: Campbell also calls for faster, better-targeted support for farmers and fisherfolk as recovery drags. Innovation Push: Dr Andrew Wheatley unveils Jamaica’s “House of Innovation” framework to reduce fragmentation and boost science, technology and innovation for growth. Healthcare Governance: UHWI’s outgoing acting CEO urges protection of the institution as PAC scrutiny continues, including concerns over procurement and tax-exempt document use. Tourism & Culture: The One Nation Reggae Festival returns (Nov 25–30, 2026), alongside fresh tourism and diaspora engagement plans.

PPV Fares: Jamaica’s 16% public passenger vehicle fare increase is rolling out in two phases—8% takes effect today, with the remaining 8% due July 1—aimed at easing the inflation hit on commuters while keeping operators afloat. Broadcasting Regulation: The Broadcasting Commission has rapped Flow and Digicel for “substandard customer service” tied to late 2025 channel and programming changes, including reliance on emails many subscribers didn’t open. Tourism Infrastructure: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett cut the ribbon on the $27.5m Fontabelle to Geddes Town Road rehab in St. Mary, designed to open up heritage and eco-tourism and boost local economic activity. Private Sector Investment: Vibrant Energy says it will invest $1b in a new FESCO-branded service station in St. James, creating construction and ongoing jobs and adding retail and food options. Caribbean Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to let travellers book with one ticket and check luggage through to final destinations, improving regional and Europe links via Paris. Hurricane Season Watch: NOAA says El Niño may mean fewer named storms, but Jamaica is still urged to treat preparedness as essential since any single storm can be damaging. US-Jamaica Maritime Ties: The USS Nimitz docked in Kingston for a five-day goodwill stop, highlighting maritime security cooperation and trade ties.

Health & Innovation: C2N Diagnostics and SouthGenetics are partnering to expand access across Latin America and the Caribbean to Precivity® blood tests for Alzheimer’s amyloid pathology, with Jamaica among the initial rollout countries. Energy & Disaster Readiness: Liberty Caribbean (Flow/Liberty Business/BTC) says it’s ready for the 2026 hurricane season, citing investments in network resilience and emergency response after Hurricane Melissa. Crime & Community Safety: Salt Spring in St James reports a strong start to 2026 with no murders or shootings since the year began, crediting sustained police-community collaboration. Central Banking & Liquidity: The Bank of Jamaica injected $2.5 billion in liquidity support to deposit-taking institutions after bids totalled $3.5 billion. Sports & Travel: Porter Airlines adds new nonstop Montego Bay routes from Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton for the 2026-27 winter season, boosting Canadian access to Jamaica. Governance & Oversight: Jamaica’s Integrity Commission is urging Parliament to strengthen its law, warning weaknesses are limiting its anti-corruption mandate. Business & Culture: Monymusk Plantation rums win Gold Medals at the 2026 Beverage Testing Institute World Spirits Championship. AI & Media: The New York Times publisher attacks AI firms for “theft” of news content, warning it threatens journalism’s future.