MOU Business Obstacles

Introduction

Following the submission to the Right Honourable P. J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, of a document entitled "List of obstacles retarding current businesses" by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), the then Ministry of Industry and Investment was asked to coordinate the preparation of the Government's response to the observations made in the document. A number of issues were put forward in the PSOJ paper which covered a wide range of subject areas, including:

  • Legislative/Regulatory Issues
  • Fiscal Incentives/Facilitatory Measures
  • Administrative Matters
  • Development Finance
  • Infrastructure
  • Labour and Unions
  • Social Issues
  • Privatization
  • Other issues

The Ministry of Industry and Investment subsequently prepared a Matrix (Plan of Action) which proposed for further study those areas which were of national significance and those for which it could be feasible to arrive at some form of resolution in the short-run. The PSOJ paper and the Matrix were circulated to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for comments.

On September 1, 1999, representatives of the public and private sectors met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel under the chairmanship of the Right Honourable Prime Minister to discuss issues relating to the need to stimulate growth within the Jamaican economy. Arising from the Crowne Plaza meeting, the Prime Minister requested that a committee be formed to address the points raised by the PSOJ.

Subsequently, the document Report on Consultations between the Government of Jamaica and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Investment and was discussed by the Development Council on October 13, 1999. At that time, certain issues raised were designated for further action. Following the Development Council meeting, the document was revised.

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce has continued the process. Regular consultations are maintained with the PSOJ and periodic updates provided on relevant issues.

  • LIST OF OBSTACLES RETARDING CURRENT BUSINESSES

    The impact of Stamp Duty on the Competitiveness of the Life Insurance Industry The stamp duty payable on new business reduces the competitiveness of products marketed by local companies. In an environment of liberalization and globalization ...XML Document | PDF Document

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

    This Memorandum of Understanding is made this 10th day of February 2000 BETWEEN: The Government of Jamaica acting through the Ministry of Industry and Investment whose principal place of business is at 36 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10; and ... XML Document | PDF Document

  • TIMEFRAMES DOCUMENT

    In the PSOJ paper, it is proposed that the threshold for importation without brokerage services should be raised to US$10,000. At present, the ceiling is US$5,000. The threshold was raised from US$1,000 in May 1997. The customs records show that persons ... XML Document | PDF Document

  • SIGNING CEREMONY
Updates:

February 2000|March 2000| April 2000 | May 2000 | June - August 2000 |
September - November 2000 | December 2000 - January 2001 | February - March 2001

Background Information

On 1999 September 1, representatives of the public and private sectors met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to discuss issues relating to the need to stimulate immediate growth within the economy. The main point of discussion at this meeting, which was facilitated by the Honourable Horace Barber, was "What is Required To Achieve Economic Growth?"

The meeting stemmed from previous discussions between the Prime Minister and the President of the PSOJ. The Prime Minister asked the PSOJ to identify those areas that it felt needed to be immediately and critically addressed as a precondition for achieving economic growth. The issues identified by the PSOJ were classified under the following headings...

  • Report On Consultations Between The Government Of Jamaica And The Private Sector Organization Of Jamaica On Obstacles To Growth:
    XML Document | PDF Document

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  • Last modified: June 7, 2007