(Photo credit: Derrick Scott)
By: Derrick Scott
Washington, D.C. – Prime Minister of Jamaica the Honorable Andrew Holness has reassured U. S. investors that the government has already moved to streamline the process to get rid of unnecessary delays and bottlenecks to investing in Jamaica.
In addressing over forty influential U.S. investors at a joint meeting of the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMJAM) at chamber headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 5, 2016, Prime Minister Holness explained that the government was very mindful of delays in the country’s investment process. As a result, he has found it necessary to move to consolidate the process under a new structure.
The Prime Minister pointed out that with the establishment of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Office of the Prime Minister, this ministry is tasked with the responsibility of fast-tracking investments.
He said that all agencies responsible for permitting and all approvals would fall under this ministry umbrella, which would require only one ministerial sign-off and eliminate the need to obtain multiple approval which in the past created significant delays in investment projects. Once all the basic requirements are satisfied, investors seeking permits will deal with this one ministry.
Prime Minister Holness said, “My government will ensure that the risk to investment is minimized. That foreign investors can feel comfortable about the process of transitioning from the US into Jamaica and that the process is as seamless as possible.
The Prime Ministers invited investors to invest in Jamaica as the country is open for business and there are myriad investment opportunities.
(Photo credit: Derrick Scott)
In her remarks, Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce, Jodi Hanson Bond lauded Jamaica for its strong democracy which she says is one of the values that make Jamaica a distinctive place in which investors should invest.
“I can assure you Mr. Prime Minister that we want to invest in your country. We want to support you and we already have a number of companies that are showing interest in doing business with Jamaica.” The American Chamber of Commerce she said stands ready to lend assistance to the country and to support the investment initiatives that the government will undertake.
A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica headed by its President Ron Macky, Vice President Andrew Pairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Public Service Kelly Tomblin also attended the meeting.
Accompanying Prime Minister Holness to the meeting were Advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs, Ambassador Nigel Clarke, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology Ms. Hillary Alexander, Deputy Chief of Missions, Embassy of Jamaica, Mrs. Marsha Coore Lobban and Minister Councilor for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Jamaica, Mrs. Ariel Bowen.
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