The new Jamaica Business Gateway was this week launched with approximately 14 applications across processes which aim to streamline business to government (B2G) interactions while helping individuals and companies to access state services in a digital and more efficient manner.

The 14 applications, which span services in high-priority areas such as film registration, cannabis licensing, divestment of lands, productive input reliefs and the registration of pharmaceutical products among others, is to, in the coming months, be joined by a number of other processes across different industries and agencies.

President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro) Shullette Cox, speaking at a launch event held on Wednesday at the AC Hotel in St Andrew, lauded the online portal as one that will revolutionalise the way businesses apply for and track various permits, licences and approvals from government. Cox said with the online portal, businesses will no longer need to navigate a “maze of disjointed processes”, as they can now access most government services in one place.

“Today’s launch is the beginning of a new journey that will eventually see all of government’s business services linked and integrated in a single online space. Jampro along with four of our private sector enterprises have been working tirelessly for the past two years to develop a platform that simplifies bureaucratic processes as it empowers entrepreneurs large and small in navigating the Government landscape seamlessly. The Gateway gives businesses step-by-step information on various government processes allowing them to also make applications from the comforts of their own homes or offices while tracking the processes right up to the point where a final decision has been made,” she said.

Indicating that while the platform went live with an initial 14 applications, Cox said the plan was to onboard up to 49 more processes and functionalities in the near future.

“Over the next two years, we have set an ambitious target to roll out an additional 35 processes on the Gateway. We are currently in the procurement stages for the next 26 processes that will be in place by the end of this fiscal year. We also have a number of integration work to do, so as to make sure that all the other government platforms that exist, can be accessed through the gateway as well,” she further stated, noting that in the coming weeks a number of other features including a chatbox, discussion and consultation forums among government partners and refined payment structures were also to be added.

As an initiative of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce executed by Jampro, the portal, developed in partnership with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) with funding from its Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth Project (FCGP), seeks to move the country one step closer in becoming a digitised society. The technology developed by regional firm LPA Corporate Solutions attracted capital investments of over US$800,000 or approximately $120 million.

The Gateway, which Cox said utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to expedite decision making and to send notifications, was designed among some of the best in the world, offering prompt and technology savvy services.

“I invite businesses locally and internationally to use this valuable resource that is now available as we embrace technology and as government continues to build out a digital society,” she concluded.

Investment Minister Aubyn Hill, in officially launching the platform, underscored its development as a fundamental shift in the way government services will be delivered.

“For years we have recognised the challenges that businesses face when it comes to working with the Government ie long waiting lines and time and bureaucratic systems which have hindered the growth and successes of many entrepreneurs, but the Gateway will help to eliminate a lot of this. The successful implementation of the Gateway represents a key element of Jamaica’s business environment reform agenda as by embracing digital transformation we can establish a business friendly environment that promotes efficiency, transparency and accountability.

“The Gateway is therefore to help entrepreneurs and businesses in becoming more sustained, efficient and profitable exporters of local good and services,” Hill stated.