Connect with us

News

RED STRIPE TO INVEST US$10 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS

Published

on

KINGSTON, 09 Oct 2014 (Jamaica Information Service) – Local brewing company, Red Stripe, says it will invest US$10 million over the next five years to set up a cassava supply chain, as it moves to use the tuber to offset barley imports utilised in beer production.

“It is not just about growing cassava, it’s about setting up a cassava supply chain. We have a big ambition for cassava and it is going to take a massive investment,” said Managing Director, Red Stripe, Cedric Blair.
Mr. Blair was addressing government officials, which included Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, following a tour of the Spanish Town Road facility on October 8.

To date, the company has spent US$1.1 million on the first phase of its Project Grow initiative and is committing to invest even more over the next five years.

“Our preliminary numbers from our farmers is that under this pilot, we will produce about 70 tonnes per hectare. This means that we will produce more cassava on our pilot farm than the rest of Jamaica combined,” Mr. Blair stated.

He said the company’s plan is to get to 2,500 acres within the next three to five years and to employ one person per acre.

Mr. Blair informed that the company also plans to train an additional 39 Jamaicans to work on its cassava farms as well as invest a further US$800,000 to equip a cassava factory for processing activities.

“The processing plant will be up and running by January 2015 and we will be reaping cassava in February, and so, we will be making beer from locally grown cassava starting February of next year,” he informed.
Mr. Blair further pointed out that under phase two of the project, Red Stripe will add another 142 hectares at a cost of approximately US$200,000.

Under phase three, the brewing company will develop a second cluster of farms within the parishes of St. Catherine, St. Ann and St. Mary, which will see an additional 200 hectares and plans for further expansion to about 1,000 hectares.

He informed that the final phase of the project will see the development of a third cluster in St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Trelawny for another 200 hectares, with a view to expanding this to another 1,000 hectares.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Simpson Miller commended the company for its foresight and innovation in developing such a “trailblazing project.”

“We celebrate Red Stripe’s cassava innovation, which is having direct economic impact on hundreds of farmers and workers,” she said.

“I’m pleased to learn that the 36 acres under cassava cultivation will be expanded in the next twelve months to incorporate 400 acres through engaging contract farmers. While you’re doing business, you’re providing jobs for our farmers,” the Prime Minister noted.

Mrs. Simpson Miller said greater levels of investments are required to realise the enormous possibilities of the production of cassava starch and other products along the value chain.

“These include flour, bammy, bread, paper, pills and other pharmaceutical products. We need more companies, big and small, to follow the example of Red Stripe to look at how to retool their businesses,” she added.
Mrs. Simpson Miller said Red Stripe’s investments are aligned with the Government’s firm and ongoing efforts to build a new Jamaican economy on the platforms of culturally inspired creativity and innovation.

“Through this transformational move, you’re taking your business operations to the next level, while taking Jamaica to the next level as well. Red Stripe is making business decisions that will lead to increased earnings for your shareholders and job security for your workers,” the Prime Minister said.

For his part, Minister Hylton also lauded the brewing company for its investment in Jamaica.
He noted that Red Stripe’s strategy for growth parallels the government’s national strategy for growth, which is investment in technology and innovation.

“It involves reworking your processes, putting good quality management and workers at the forefront and consistency in working your strategy,” the Minister said.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

News

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

Continue Reading

News

THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

Published

on

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING