Kingston, Jamaica. May 20, 2020:
Craft traders who operate in craft markets owned and managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) have been given a waiver of shop rental for three months effective April 1, 2020. As such, licensees at all UDC craft markets will not be required to pay shop rental fees for April, May and June 2020. The almost 700 registered traders at the Kingston Craft Market, Ocho Rios, Dunn’s River and Pineapple Craft Markets in St. Ann, the Success Craft Market, St. James and Rutland Point Craft Market in Hanover were given written notification of this week
UDC’s board and management took this decision in recognition of the challenges faced by craft traders since the closure of national borders to stem the spread of the novel Coronavirus and by extension a significant downturn in the local tourism industry in Jamaica. The UDC anticipates that this measure will provide additional support and complement the Government’s social initiatives such as the CARE programme.
UDC General Manager, Heather Pinnock noted that “We recognize that the steep reduction in visitor traffic may have had major impact on craft traders. The UDC intends for this 3-month waiver to assist with alleviating some of the challenges being faced by the traders and support them in preparing for reopening. We are all in this together and it is in great part through our collective diligence and cooperation that Jamaica will be able to quickly get back on track.”
All UDC managed craft markets and attractions were closed on Tuesday 18 March 2020 in keeping with the guidance of the Government of Jamaica. Operations have also been scaled back at UDC’s Head Office and Subsidiaries, except Runaway Bay Water Company and Ocho Rios Commercial Centre both of which continue to provide and support essential services to parts of St. Ann and St. Catherine. The UDC team is in the process of moving to the recovery phase of operations in preparation for the June 1 lifting of the current of work from home restrictions.
For further information, please contact:
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 656-8031/ 353-2011
Email cr@udcja.com