Barbados clamps down on importation of meat, animal products

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados health authorities are clamping down on the importation of meat or animal products into the country, reminding nationals that poultry and poultry products from the United Kingdom are prohibited at this time due to the Avian Influenza outbreak.

They also reminded nationals travelling for the holiday season that they must first obtain an import permit from the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, if they are planning to bring meat or other animal products into Barbados.

“Commercially packaged cooked chicken and chicken products are allowed from the Caribbean,” a Government statement stated, listing what it considers to be food products of animal origin.

The statement said that pastries containing meat fillings, meat rolls, rotis and pizzas as well as dairy products including ice-cream, yoghurt, cheeses and eggs and egg products “must be in the original sealed commercial packaging and must not exceed 25 lbs (11kg)”.

The statement also said that individuals and places of entertainment planning to import items such as headdresses, masks or decorations which contain feathers or other animal-derived products for the holiday season or for personal use, are reminded that import permits are also required.

“Non-food animal products include but are not limited to: loose feathers, for use in costumes and craft; products made from skins, feathers, antlers, hair, hooves, horns and bones; meat scraps and treats for pets,” the statement added.

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Barbados clamps down on importation of meat, animal products

Medicanja to launch first products this month

Dr. Henry Lowe, the Chief Executive Officer of  Medicanja,  says Jamaicans must push to ensure the benefits of  a local medical marijuana industry are realised for locals before foreigners tap the market.

Lowe who was speaking at a recent Mayberry Investors Forum seminar said given the benefits he cannot understand why more local investors are not seeking to establish up companies in Jamaica to produce medical marijuana.

Medicanja was launched last December as the country’s first company set up to produce medical products from ganja.
Lowe says some of  the first products from the company will be launched later this month.

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Medicanja to launch first products this month

Medicanja to launch first products this month

Dr. Henry Lowe, the Chief Executive Officer of  Medicanja,  says Jamaicans must push to ensure the benefits of  a local medical marijuana industry are realised for locals before foreigners tap the market.

Lowe who was speaking at a recent Mayberry Investors Forum seminar said given the benefits he cannot understand why more local investors are not seeking to establish up companies in Jamaica to produce medical marijuana.

Medicanja was launched last December as the country’s first company set up to produce medical products from ganja.
Lowe says some of  the first products from the company will be launched later this month.

View the original article here

Medicanja to launch first products this month

NCB Cap Markets to launch 2 US dollar unit trust products

NCB Capital Markets plans to launch two US-dollar unit trust products within the next three months.

“We are excited at the prospect of offering US dollar unit trust funds for our customers seeking foreign currency investment alternatives,” said NCB Capital Markets CEO Steven Gooden. “We plan to launch this product before the end of our current financial year in September.”

The newest entrant to the unit trust market has already become the third largest player in terms of portfolio size.

Sagicor Investments is the market leader followed by Scotia Investments.

The other market players are Jamaica Money Market Brokers and Barita Investments.

“We’re not yet at the top, but the growth to $5 billion in assets under management within the six months following the product’s introduction is a noteworthy achievement and a testament to the value that our customers have found in the new offering,” said Gooden. “NCB Cap Funds, our Unit Trust product was launched in order to expand the investment options available to our clients.

“The unit trust offers clients better rates of returns and allows them to pursue a mix of investment strategies based on their individual risk appetites and personal investment goals.”

Yields ranging from 7.8 to 8.1 per cent on its fixed income and equity-based unit trust funds placed NCB Capital Markets’ estimated yearly income above the others. Barita’s Income Portfolio product came the closest at 7.76 per cent.

However, NCB Capital Markets unit trust products fell in the middle of the field in terms of growth for the year to June 12, 2014 — ranging from 2.9 to four per cent. Sagicor’s Sigma Global Equity fund grew by 10.7 per cent during the first five and a half months of 2014.

Currently, NCB Capital Markets invest in money market instruments, medium to long-term corporate and government debt instruments as well as local and regional stocks.

Gooden remains confident that the funds will continue to do well, based on the company’s track record of strong financial performance and providing customers with value enhancing investment options.

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NCB Cap Markets to launch 2 US dollar unit trust products