WASHINGTON DC, United States — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reassured United States (US) investors that the Government has already moved to get rid of unnecessary delays and bottlenecks to investing in Jamaica.

Addressing more than 40 investors at a joint meeting of the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) in Washington, DC, last Thursday, the Prime Minister said the Government was mindful of delays in the country’s investment process, so it was necessary to overhaul the system.

He said that with the establishment of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Office of the Prime Minister, investments will be fast-tracked.

The Prime Minister said that all agencies responsible for granting approvals fall under that ministry, and once all the basic requirements are satisfied, investors seeking permits will deal with that one ministry.

He pointed out that this will eliminate the need to obtain multiple approvals which, in the past, created significant delays in investment projects.

“My Government will ensure that the risk to investment is minimised; 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,” Holness said.

The Prime Minister encouraged investors to come to Jamaica as the country is open for business and there are many investment opportunities available.

For her part, 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 the country a distinctive place in which to 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 several companies that are showing interest in doing business with Jamaica,” she noted.

A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica, headed by its President Ron McKay and Vice-Presidents — Andrew Pairman, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Public Service, Kelly Tomblin — also attended the meeting.

Accompanying Holness to the meeting were: Ambassador Plenipotentiary for Economic Affairs, Dr Nigel Clarke; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, Hillary Alexander; and Deputy Chief of Missions, Embassy of Jamaica Marsha Core Lobban.