The 2019 novel coronavirus has continued its rapid spread, challenging global health and the economy. The virus transmits through human contact, threatening normative ways of doing business, as face-to-face interactions and hand-to-hand transactions have and continue to be essential components in conducting commerce worldwide, especially in less technologically advanced societies.
The World Bank, in its April Commodity Markets outlook, says that the global economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic has driven most commodity prices down and is expected to result in substantially lower prices for the rest of 2020. The World Bank report says energy and metals commodities are the most
Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke has confirmed that Covid-19 has caused an increase in unemployment in Jamaica, with the numbers affected being in the tens of thousands. Dr Clarke who spoke at Monday’s Jamaica House press conference, explained that the conclusions are being drawn from data provided in the number
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says it actively looking to expand the kinds of transactions that can be done online to include Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver's Licence renewals. Motor vehicle registration is second on the list of most frequently done transactions at tax offices. However, TAJ has been trying to
A view of Sandals Grande Antigua resort. Sandals resorts have been temporarily closed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the Caribbean similar scenes of desolation are being played out as the most tourism-dependent region reels from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the coronavirus disease made landfall in several countries
Earl Jarrett, chief executive officer of The Jamaica National Group, greets Dahlia Harris, host of the JN Circle Catch Up, a video series of conversations about how Jamaicans can come together to overcome various elements of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jamaica National Group has established a Member Welfare Fund to
It is a mockery for mountain dwellers to ask for fireplace rocks from those who live in the meadow. — Shona proverb, Zimbabwe “Come gather 'round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/the-agenda/after-the-covid-19_192679
THE major players in Jamaica's life insurance industry say they stand prepared to deal with any large volume of claims due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are confident that the financial structures of their companies will not be undermined. So far, Jamaica has had seven COVID-19-related deaths, and should the
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the costs of transferring remittances to the region could increase due to operational challenges being faced by remittance service providers (closures of agents and offices, access to cash, foreign exchange, security) and compliance with AML/CFT regulations. With global remittances projected to decline by about 20 per
