• GDP: JA$1,266bn (approx. US$14.44bn)
• GDP per capita: JA$467,500 (approx. US$5,194)
• GDP growth: 1.5%
• Stable Economy post-JDX:
  • Single digit inflation
  • Lowered interest rates

• Ideal location and accessibility – Gateway to the Americas
• Stable government and economy
• Educated English speaking labor force

Location and Accessibility

• Main shipping lanes from the Panama Canal
• 1 hour from Miami
• Time zone 0‐3 hours from North America & 5‐6 hours from Europe
• 3 International Airports

Stable Government and Economy

• Free market democracy
• Independent judiciary
• Diversified and well-developed capital market

Educated Workforce

• Population: 2.7 million
• Total labor force: 1.2 million
• Labour force participation rate: 62.3%
• Skilled and semi‐skilled training output (2011): 48,550
• Tertiary Enrolment (2011): 68,993
• Tertiary graduates (2011): 15,030

Investment Climate

• No foreign exchange controls
• Increased privatization of public sector companies
• Improved macroeconomic performance
  • Lower interest rates
  • Increased National Reserves
  • Lower inflation
• Competitive incentives framework
• Double taxation treaties
• GoJ investment facilitation services

Incentives Framework

• Tourism Sector development
  • Hotel Incentives Act
  • Resort Cottages Incentives Act
• Manufacturing Sector
  • Modernization of Industry Programme
• Factory construction
  • Factory Construction Law
• Export Promotion
  • Export Industry Encouragement Act
  • Jamaica Export Free Zone Act
• Urban Renewal & Development
  • Urban Renewal Act

Transportation and logistics infrastructure

• Largest seaport in the Region – the Kingston Port
• Three major international airports (NMIA, Ian Flemming, and Sangster) with over 130 international flights a week
• Located along major trade and tourism routes
• Highway 2000 connects major towns and industrial centers; provides multiple connectivity points between parishes

Investment Infrastructure

• Liberalized telecommunication sector, with sophisticated infrastructure
• Multiple sub fiber optic cables
• Up to 4TB unit capacity

Business Environment

• Placed in top 50% of countries surveyed
• Ranked ahead of BRIC countries for ease of doing business (except China)
• Notable improvements: simplified tax compliance process, the improved customs administration

Global Ranking (out of 185 economies)

90     Ease of Doing Business
21     Starting a Business
50     Dealing with Construction Permits
105   Registering Property
104   Getting Credit
82     Protecting Investors
163   Paying Taxes
106   Trading Across Borders
129   Enforcing Contracts
32     Resolving Insolvency

Traditional Exports:

• Agriculture (Banana, Coffee)
• Mining & Quarrying (Aluminum and Bauxite)
• Manufacturing (Rum and Sugar)

Non-Traditional:

• Food (Yam, Ackee, Baked products, Sauces)
• Beverages and Tobacco (Alcoholic beverages excl. rum)

Investment Opportunities

• ICT/ Business Process Outsourcing & Software development
• Tourism (including Health & Wellness Tourism)
• Manufacturing (Agro Processing and Contract Manufacturing ‐medical devices)
• Logistics

Manufacturing Sector

• Agro‐Processing (Sauces & Condiments, Beverages, and Snacks)
• Footwear and apparel
• Furniture
• Contract Manufacturing – Medical Devices, Electronics

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

• ICT/BPO Operations
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Human Resource
  • Debt Collection
  • Telesales
  • Call Center
• Software Development
• Medical Transcription, Billing, and Coding

Health & Wellness Tourism

• Hospital Hotels
• Wellness Centers
  • Nutrition, Yoga, and Massage
• Lifestyle Retirement Villages
• Destination Wellness Resorts
• Boutique Hotels

Registering a company –Companies Office of Jamaica

• No restrictions on foreign ownership
• Online company registration
  • Tax Registration
  • Registering as an Exporter
  • Obtaining an Import License

Obtaining Business Approval

JAMPRO (TRADE & INVESTMENT JAMAICA) can assist you in starting your business:

JAMPRO’s Role as Facilitator

• Investment Enquiry & Facilitation
  • Provision of investment opportunities/profiles
  • Provision of macroeconomic data
  • Market intelligence/information
  • Identification of land and factory space
  • Introduction to providers of goods and services
  • International business networking services
• Investment Progression & Implementation
  • Assistance with investment procedures, incentives, and approvals
  • Assistance with specialized permits
  • High-level access to GoJ Ministers and agencies via facilitation meetings
  • Project management and development support.

You can contact JAMPRO at:

Head Office, 18 Trafalgar Road

Kingston 10, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: (876) 978-7755 / Fax: (876) 946-0090

Email: info@tradeandinvestjamaica.org
www.tradeandinvestjamaica.org