Grace, Kennedy announces increased dividend payment for 2004
GRACE, KENNEDY & Company Limited will make an interim dividend payment on May 21, 2004 of $129 million, which represents 40 cents per stock unit, based on the existing share capital of 323 million shares.

JPSCo's ability to meet the country's energy needs called into question
AS JAMAICA'S electricity needs grow by 30 mega watts per year, the question arises of whether or not its power needs can be provided in a cost-effective manner.

Legal wranglings hold up Kaiser/Glencore deal
THE UNITED States (US) Bankruptcy Court has ruled that the sale of Kaiser's 65 per cent stake in ALPART should be auctioned. The ruling has terminated a pre-sale agreement with the Swiss-based firm Glencore International to purchase the shares.

Inflation stands at 16 per cent
THE FEBRUARY Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reveals that the All Jamaica "All Group" Consumer Price Index for February 2004 was 1808.4 showing an increase of 0.6 per cent over the index recorded for January.

Thermo-Plastics files suit against Downer
THERMO-PLASTICS (JAMAICA) Limited and its subsidiary Plas-Pak, both in receivership, have filed suit in the Supreme Court against Richard Downer and his firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers for alleged conspiracy to sell the firm at an undervalued.

IMF's involvement in Ja uncertain
THERE WILL be no International Monetary Fund (IMF) certification for Jamaica's economic programme.

Spotlight on DB&G's managers
LOCAL FINANCE house Dehring Bunting & Golding (DB&G) has gained a reputation as a progressive, innovative institution willing and able to think outside the box.

Beach Life Vacations - Putting Ja in the tourism shop window
BEACH LIFE Vacations, a tour company owned by two Jamaicans living in the United States, is cashing in on Spring Break, one of the great traditions for most college and university students in the U.S.