The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority’s (JSEZA’s) support for the Global Services Sector is significant due to its importance to the economy, says Chief Executive Officer, Kelli-Dawn Hamilton.
Mrs. Hamilton made the comment while speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank held at the Agency’s Television Department in Kingston.
The Think Tank focused on the upcoming Outsource2Jamaica 2025 (O2J2025) Conference scheduled for April 10, 2025 in Montego Bay, St James, under the theme, ‘Driving Excellence: Talent, Technology and Transformation’.
She said the sector has immense potential, while noting its significance in driving Jamaica’s economic growth, creating jobs and helping the country move up the global value chain.
Mrs. Hamilton stated that of the 111 companies that benefit from fiscal incentives, 70 per cent of those are in the global services sector.
“At the Authority, while we function as a regulator, our focus is on facilitation. We use our regulations as a tool to assist and support the industry,” she stated.
Mrs. Hamilton pointed out that the sector accounts for approximately 75 per cent of Jamaica’s gross domestic product.
“So, for us it is about ensuring that we create an enabling environment for the representatives that operate within this sector,” she emphasised.
She highlighted the incentives available to companies, noting that those operating in the SEZ benefit from a reduced corporate income tax rate.
“Companies pay a lower rate of 7.75 per cent corporate income tax and the highest reaching only 12.5 per cent. Companies also do not pay duties on items purchased for use within the zones, neither are they paying the general consumption tax in the SEZ,” Mrs. Hamilton explained.
The Chief Executive Officer further noted that JSEZA’s primary focus is to make it easier for businesses to operate in Jamaica.
“It is not lost on us the fact that we have to engage in continued conversations in order to create an enabling business environment,” she added.
The O2J2025 conference is the largest event that currently focuses on the sector and brings together global experts, technocrats, government officials, multilateral agencies, industry service providers, policy experts, and aspiring creative professionals to learn and network as they prepare for the future of the industry.
Persons can participate in the Conference by registering on www.outsource2Jamaica.com or contact the Global Services Secretariat at 876-313-4699 to get information. They can also send an email to secretary@gsaj.org or admin@gsaj.org.
