KINGSTON, Jamaica—Over one million transactions were processed via the Government’s online payment facility, PayGate, during the last financial year.

This was revealed on Wednesday by Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador Audrey Marks, during her first contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

She noted that PayGate, which falls under the Information, Communications and Technology Authority (ICT), enables citizens to conveniently pay property and business taxes, motor vehicle fitness and registration fees and other government charges through the Tax Administration Jamaica online portal and mobile app.

“The Jamaica Customs Agency use of PayGate is allowing importers and brokers to pay customs duties, import permits, licenses and certificates electronically, reducing processing times and improving the ease of doing business,” said Marks.

She told the House that the remaining transactions were processed by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and the Port Authority of Jamaica, “demonstrating the growing adoption of digital payments across Government”.

Marks said six government entities were added to the platform during the last financial year. She said the ICT has successfully strengthened and modernised PayGate, which she described as “an essential advancement in Jamaica’s digital transformation journey that is making government services more accessible, secure, and convenient for citizens and businesses alike”.

PayGate facilitates online payments in both Jamaican and United States dollars using Visa and MasterCard and integrates with the major local commercial banks for payment processing.