ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness, today met with Daniel Seah, Deputy Director of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and representatives from the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) to discuss the partnership between both governments to develop Jamaica’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

A memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was signed between the Jamaican government and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise in December 2016, will see the development of a comprehensive road map which will foster a SEZ environment.

Holness said that the development of the SEZ will greatly impact Jamaica’s economic development as Jamaicans stand to benefit from the Zone.

The three-tiered MoU establishes that the SCE will develop a world class Special Economic Zone; provide planning and workforce skills qualification framework and create a business environment within Special Economic Zones.

The Jamaican government on August 1, 2016, promulgated the Special Economic Zone Act which repeals the Jamaica Free Zone Act. This makes provisions in respect of the development, regulation, construction, supervision, management and control of Special Economic Zones in Jamaica.

 It is expected that the SEZ will create a modern framework to attract investments in planned industrial clusters that develop and deliver a wider range of goods and services.