KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) is reporting that more than 23,000 new business entities were registered last year; a nine per cent increase compared to 2023.

The COJ says the increase underscores the confidence felt by entrepreneurs in doing business in Jamaica.
The agency says its commitment to increasing the level of convenience in doing business has been a factor, with the launch of its Electronic Business Registration Platform, enabling more than 27,000 entities to register seamlessly.

Shellie Leon, CEO and Registrar at the COJ said the positive trend, “is a testament to the resilience, innovation and efforts by entrepreneurs to move beyond the hustle and formalise their investment. We want more entrepreneurs to formalise so that they can access benefits. As such, we are moving to further improve our online platform to facilitate increased compliance, thereby ensuring that businesses remain on a pathway to success.”

Last year, the COJ announced that it would be adding business renewal and business closure services to its online offerings. This initiative, Leon hopes, will pay dividends and move customers out of the office and onto its online space.

“It is important that we embrace the use of technology in the provision of services. These new online services are a result of consultation with our customers and stakeholders and are among the first in a suite of online services that will be offered soon,” Leon emphasised.

To register a business online, individuals may visit www.orcjamaica.com. The service is available 24/7 and facilitates online payment and delivery options for the company or business name certificates.