Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced that the long-anticipated Caymanas Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) is now closer to becoming a reality.
Speaking on Thursday at the Outsource2Jamaica Conference and Expo hosted by the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Holness revealed that ground is expected to be broken for the CSEZ—a 700-acre site located near the Port of Kingston—in the first quarter of the new fiscal year.
“So, I would say in another two months we should be able to break ground on the site,” the prime minister announced.
“I am pleased to say we have now completed the engineering designs for the special economic zone. The tender process for the first phase of land preparation is finalized and all required approvals are in place,” he added.
The prime minister emphasised that the initiative goes beyond simply establishing a special economic zone. It will also include a direct connection between the site and the Port of Kingston, creating a truly integrated, port-linked special economic zone.
“There is, in fact, a pre-existing rail line which we intend to rehabilitate. And so whatsoever activities like manufacturing, assembly, whatever is done within this special economic zone will have direct access to the Port of Kingston,” Holness stated.
He further announced that the government will invest an additional US$50 million into the Port of Kingston this year.
“In 2025, an additional US$50 million will be invested to further expand equipment and capacity of the port,” the prime minister announced.
