RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/S/ 359 
9 August  2017 
(17-4263) Page: 1/96 
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY THE SECRET ARIAT  
JAMAICA  
This report, prepared for the fourth Trade Policy Review of Jamaica, has been drawn up by the 
WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement 
establishing th e Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement 
Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from Jamaica on its trade policies 
and practices.  
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr Ricardo Barba -Viniegra 
(022 739 5088) and Ms Zheng Wang (022 739 5288).  
 
Document WT/TPR/G/ 359 contains the policy statement submitted by Jamaica.  
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on J amaica . This report was drafted in 
English.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  CONTENTS  
SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ........................  10 
1.1   Main Features of the Economy  ................................ ................................ ..................... 10 
1.2   Recent Economic Developments  ................................ ................................ ................... 10 
1.3   Developments in Trade and Investment  ................................ ................................ ........ 13 
1.3.1    Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  ................................ ................ 13 
1.3.2    Trends and patterns in FDI  ................................ ................................ ....................... 16 
1.4   Outlook  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 17 
2   TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIME  ................................ ................................ ............  18 
2.1   General Framework  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....18 
2.2   Trade Policy Formulation and Objectives  ................................ ................................ ........ 21 
2.3   Trade Agreements and Arrangements  ................................ ................................ ........... 22 
2.3.1    WTO ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 22 
2.3.2    Regional and preferential agreements  ................................ ................................ ........ 24 
2.3.2.1    CARICOM  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 24 
2.3.2.2    EU–CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement  ................................ .................... 26 
2.3.2.3    Other arrangements  ................................ ................................ .............................. 26 
2.4   Investment Regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....27 
2.4.1    Institutional and legal framework for business  ................................ ............................. 27 
2.4.2    Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 27 
2.4.3    Foreign investment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..29 
2.4.4    Improvements in the business environment  ................................ ................................ 30 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  ................................ ........................  32 
3.1   Measures Directly Affecting Imports  ................................ ................................ .............. 32 
3.1.1    Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  ................................ ....................... 32 
3.1.2    Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 33 
3.1.3    Tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 34 
3.1.3.1    Applied tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......35 
3.1.3.2    Bound tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 38 
3.1.3.3    Preferential tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ .39 
3.1.4    Other charges affecting imports  ................................ ................................ ................. 39 
3.1.5    Import prohibitions, restrictio ns, and licensing  ................................ ............................ 40 
3.1.6    Anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures  ................................ ................ 44 
3.1.7    Other measures affecting imports  ................................ ................................ .............. 45 
3.2   Measures Directly Affecting Exports  ................................ ................................ .............. 45 
3.2.1    Customs procedures and requirements  ................................ ................................ .......45 
3.2.2    Taxes, charges and levies  ................................ ................................ ......................... 45 
3.2.3    Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  ................................ ............................. 45 
3.2.4   Export support and promotion  ................................ ................................ ................... 46 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3.2.5    Export finance, insurance, and guarantees  ................................ ................................ ..47 
3.3   Measures Affecting Production a nd Trade  ................................ ................................ .......48 
3.3.1    Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 48 
3.3.2    Standards and other technical requirements  ................................ ............................... 49 
3.3.3    Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  ................................ ................................ ....51 
3.3.4    Competition policy and price controls  ................................ ................................ ......... 53 
3.3.5   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  ................................ ............. 54 
3.3.6    Government procurement  ................................ ................................ ......................... 55 
3.3.7    Intellectual property  rights  ................................ ................................ ........................ 56 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  ................................ ................................ .....................  60 
4.1   Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 60 
4.1.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 60 
4.1.2    Policy and institutional framework  ................................ ................................ .............. 61 
4.1.3    Trade policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 62 
4.1.3.1    Border protection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..62 
4.1.3.2    Export and domestic support  ................................ ................................ .................. 63 
4.1.4    Key subsectors  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 66 
4.2   Mining and Energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......67 
4.2.1    Mining and quarrying  ................................ ................................ ............................... 67 
4.2.1.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 67 
4.2.1.2    Policy and institutional framework  ................................ ................................ ........... 69 
4.2.2    Energy – electricity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..69 
4.2.2.1    Regulatory framework  ................................ ................................ ........................... 69 
4.2.2.2    Main developments  ................................ ................................ ............................... 70 
4.2.2.3    Electricity tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....71 
4.3   Manufacturing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 72 
4.4   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 73 
4.4.1    Financial servic es ................................ ................................ ................................ .....73 
4.4.1.1    Institutional framework ................................ ................................ .......................... 73 
4.4.1.2    Legislative framework  ................................ ................................ ............................ 74 
4.4.1.2.1    Banking Services Act  ................................ ................................ .......................... 74 
4.4.1.2.2    Bank of Jamaica Act  ................................ ................................ ........................... 75 
4.4.1.2.3    Other legislation  ................................ ................................ ................................ .75 
4.4.1.3    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 75 
4.4.1.3.1    Banking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 77 
4.4.1.3.1.1    Deposit -taking institutions (DTIs)  ................................ ................................ ......78 
4.4.1.3.1.2    Non-DTI financial institutions supervised by the BOJ  ................................ ............ 78 
4.4.1.3.1.3    International financi al services  ................................ ................................ .......... 79 
4.4.1.3.2    Insurance  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 79 
4.4.1.3.3    Securities  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 81 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.4.2    Telecommunications services  ................................ ................................ .................... 82 
4.4.3    Transport services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...85 
4.4.3.1    Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 85 
4.4.3.2    Maritime transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ 87 
4.4.4    Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 89 
4.4.4.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 89 
4.4.4.2    Legislative and institutional framework  ................................ ................................ ....91 
5   APPENDIX TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 92 
 
CHARTS  
 
Chart 1.1 GDP by economic activity (at current prices), 2016  ................................ .................. 10 
Chart 1.2 Merchandise trade by main HS sections, 2011 and 2016  ................................ ........... 14 
Chart 1.3 Direction of merchandise trade, 2011 and 2016  ................................ ....................... 15 
Chart 3.1 Frequency distribution of MFN tariff rates, 2017  ................................ ....................... 35 
 
TABLES  
 
Table 1.1 Selected economic indicators, 2011/12 -2016/17  ................................ ...................... 11 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2011 -16 ................................ ................................ .............. 12 
Table 1.3 Trade in services (net), 2011 -16 ................................ ................................ ............ 16 
Table 1.4 FDI, 2012 -16................................ ................................ ................................ .......16 
Table 1.5 FDI inflows by sector,  2011-16 ................................ ................................ .............. 17 
Table 2.1 Selected trade -related legislation, revised, amended or newly issued since 2011  ......... 20 
Table 2.2 Notifications  to the WTO, 1 January 2011 -27 June 2017  ................................ ........... 23 
Table 2.3 Jamaica's notified RTAs in force: main features, 2017  ................................ .............. 25 
Table 2.4 CARICOM  bilateral RTAs  ................................ ................................ ........................ 25 
Table 2.5 Omnibus Incentives  ................................ ................................ .............................. 27 
Table 2.6 Comparison of incentives  ................................ ................................ ...................... 28 
Table 3.1 Import time and cost, 2017  ................................ ................................ ................... 33 
Table 3.2 International trade taxes as a share of total tax revenue, 2013/14 -2016/17  ............... 34 
Table 3.3 Tax revenue collected, waivers, and incentives, 2011/12 -2015/16  ............................. 35 
Table 3.4 Structure of the tariff schedule in Jamaica, 2010 and 2017  ................................ .......36 
Table 3.5 Summary analysis of Jamaica's MFN tariff, 2017  ................................ ...................... 37 
Table 3.6 Lines where the MFN duty is greater than the bound duty, for comparable line s ........... 38 
Table 3.7 Goods subject to import licensing, 2017  ................................ ................................ .41 
Table 3.8 Export time and cost, 2017  ................................ ................................ ................... 45 
Table 3.9 Goods subject to export licensing, 2017  ................................ ................................ ..46 
Table 3.10 Compulsory Jamaican Standards, 2011 -17 ................................ ............................ 49 
Table 3.11 Import/Export Inspection Centre, 2017  ................................ ................................ .52 
Table 3.12 Competition cases, 2011 -16 ................................ ................................ ................ 53 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 3.13 Price contro l-related legislation  ................................ ................................ ............ 54 
Table 3.14 Overview of IPR protection, 2017  ................................ ................................ ......... 57 
Table 3.15 IPR crimes, 2016 ................................ ................................ ................................ 58 
 
BOXES  
 
Box 3.1 Import prohibitions, 2017  ................................ ................................ ........................ 40 
 
APPENDIX TABLES  
 
Table A1.1 Merchandise exports by HS s ections and main chapters, 2011 –16 ............................ 92 
Table A1.2 Merchandise imports by HS sections and main HS chapters, 2011 –16 ...................... 93 
Table A1.3 Merchandise exports and by trading partner, 2011 –16 ................................ ............ 95 
Table A1. 4 Merchandise imports by trading partner, 2011 –16 ................................ ................. 96 
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  SUMMARY  
1. This is Jamaica's fourth Trad e Policy Review. During the review period 2011 -17, Jamaica has 
made major strides in restoring macroeconomic stability , pursuing prudent fiscal policy, reducing 
public debt and undertaking significant changes to its tax policy. Moreover, the financial syst em 
has become more resilient to shocks, inflation is at historic lows, the current account deficit has 
more than halved, net international reserves have doubled and business confidence is high . 
Nonetheless, economic growth remains elusive with an average r eal GDP growth rate below 1% 
since 2011. As a result, one fifth of the population still lives below the poverty line.  
2. Jamaica aims to achieve developed country status by 2030, and trade is seen as an 
important factor to overcoming this challenge from tw o perspectives: improving competitiveness in 
export markets, and ensuring that the wider society obtains development benefits from trade 
through increased revenues and employment. Jumpstarting private sector -led growth and the 
steady implementation of stru ctural reforms  in areas such as trade facilitation, contract 
enforcement, property registration , physical infrastructure, and human resources development  are 
also essential in this endeavour.  
3. In November 2016, Jamaica signed a three -year precautionary Stand -By Arrangement (SBA)  
with the IMF.  This arrangement  (approximately US$1.64 billion ) provides insurance against 
unforeseen adverse external economic shocks  and allows the Government to focus  reform efforts 
on: better support for growth , jobs, and soci al protection; reduc ing public debt from 122.5% of 
GDP in FY 2016/17 to 60 % by FY2025/26 by maintaining a primary surplus at 7% of GDP for the 
duration of the new arrangement; moderniz ing the monetary policy framework and build ing the 
foundation for an eve ntual move to inflation targeting, while maintaining exchange rate flexibility 
and continuing to build precautionary reserves; and bolster ing the resilience of the financial 
system.  
4. Jamaica 's current account deficit, as a percentage  of GDP, decreased fr om 13.6% in 
FY2011/12  to 3.2% in FY2016/17, largely due to reduced import costs (notably fuels), and 
sustained tourism and remittances earnings. This improvement occurred despite a drop in some 
key exports such as aluminium ore and bauxite.  Merchandise exp orts continue to be highly 
concentrated geographically ; the United States, the European Union and Canada together take 
over two thirds of the total. There is more balance across both products and countries in Jamaica's 
import structure . 
5. Jamaica is takin g measures to attract larger FDI inflows and improve the business climate , 
such as simplifying the tax system; broadening the tax base; implementing an electronic platform 
for the payment of taxes ; and establishing a 90 -day window for development approvals . It has 
issued or amended a large amount of legislation since 2011, including the Insolvency Act, the 
Fiscal Incentives Act, the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, the Public Procurement Act, the Bank 
Services Act, and the Electricity Act, among others. No netheless, private investment continues to 
be inhibited by several factors, notably crime and theft, inefficient government bureaucracy, and 
relatively high tax rates . 
6. Trade policy in Jamaica is devised taking into account broad trade and development go als as 
set in a number of general policy documents, such as the National Development Plan – Vision 2030 
and the Growth Agenda. For instance, the Growth Agenda highlights the importance of using an 
integrated framework for trade and production to ensure tha t Jamaica benefits from its trade 
relationships. As of mid -2017, a new Foreign Trade Policy was being drafted which , together with 
the second National Export Strategy , will allow the  alignment of  trade policy and strategy with the 
Growth Agenda. A Trade Fa cilitation Taskforce has recently been established to develop a trade 
facilitation implementation road map and project plan to enhance the potential contribution of 
trade to economic growth.  
7. Jamaica is active in WTO negotiations. It emphasizes that spe cial and differential treatment 
must be a fundamental pillar of WTO work and must be appropriately reflected in negotiation 
outcomes. Jamaica is a proponent of the Work Programmes on Small Economies, supporting the 
view that the need s and priorities of suc h economies must be addressed fully and in all areas of 
the WTO. Jamaica has never been a respondent or complainant in a WTO dispute; during the 
review period, it was a third party to the dispute settlement case involving bananas. Jamaica WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  submitted notific ations to the WTO in a number of areas . However,  no notification s have been 
made in the areas of customs valuation and GATS since 2011.  
8. Jamaica is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), and 
applies the CARICOM common external t ariff ( CET) with several exceptions. CARICOM has signed 
trade agreements with five Latin American countries: Colombia, the Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Cuba. Jamaica, through CARICOM, signed the 
Economic Partners hip Agreement (EPA) with the European Union,  which gives it quota -free and 
duty-free access to the European Union . It has preferential access to the United States through the 
Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), and to Canada under CARIBCAN, and qualifies for  GSP treatment 
from a number of other countries.  
9. Jamaica has no specific legislation on foreign investment, and has no policies or regulations 
reserving certain sectors exclusively to Jamaicans. Foreign companies may hold land without 
registering in Jam aica, and its privatization programme is open to foreign participation. Incentives, 
which are accessible to both local and foreign firms, were simplified and streamlined with the 
coming into force of the Omnibus Incentives legislation. Incentives now conta in various levels of 
tax relief, including import tariffs, additional stamp duties, and corporate income tax.  
10. Jamaica ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in January 2016 . A new Customs Act is to 
be submitted to Parliament in 2017 to facilitate tr ade; encourage voluntary compliance with 
customs laws and procedures; and effectively support  the implementation of ASYCUDA World . In 
addition, Jamaica has improved the use of risk management systems.   
11. Tariffs and other duties and charges remain Jamaic a's main trade policy instrument. A 
substantial share of the Government's central revenue is generated from taxes and charges on 
imports. International trade taxes as a percentage of total tax revenues rose from about 34% in 
FY2012/13 to some 40% in FY2016/17. Increasingly, the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on 
imports accounts for most of the revenue, followed by the Special Consumption Tax (SCT). Tariffs 
represent 7.5% of total taxation revenue.  The Environmental Protection Levy on all manufactured 
goods ( local and foreign) entered into force on 1 June 2015 . Jamaica's discretionary waivers on 
duties and taxes have been cut over the last few years in order to reduce distortions  and help 
combat the fiscal deficit.  
12. Jamaica's simple average applied MFN tari ff rose from 9.4% in 2010 to 10.4% in 2017 
mainly due to increases on some items of CARICOM's CET . On average, tariff protection for 
agricultural products (20.8%) remains substantially higher than for non -agricultural products 
(7.9%).  All imports entering Jamaica are subject to a basic stamp duty, while an additional stamp 
duty is payable on certain items (mostly agricultural products). When additional stamp duties are 
taken into account, the overall average border protection increases from 10.4% to 12.6%. Jamaica 
bound 100% of its tariff lines, with a current average rate of 50.3%. MFN applied rates exceed 
their bound levels for 32 tariff lines; for some products the gap is over 10 percentage points.  
13. Jamaica applies few non -tariff barriers, mostly impor t and export licensing. Since its last TPR 
in 2011, Jamaica has not initiated any anti -dumping investigations (compared with five cases over 
1995-2011), nor any safeguard cases (one in 1995 -2011). It has never taken any countervailing 
action.  
14. Jamaica r ecently adopted a new SEZ Act  in an attempt to meet its obligations under the 
WTO's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.  Under the Omnibus Incentives 
Legislation 2014 , Jamaica repealed the four incentive schemes that were notified to the WTO  as 
containing export subsidies: the Export Industry Encouragement Act; the Industrial Incentives 
(Factory Construction) Act; the Foreign Sales Corporation Act; and the Jamaica Export Free Zones 
Act. 
15. The National Export -Import Bank (EXIM Bank) is Jamai ca's principal  trade financing 
institution and the Caribbean' s first export -import bank. It provid es financial support to the export 
sector . All exporters are eligible for financing  but specific focus is placed on  small and medium -
sized entities (SMEs) involved in non -traditional exports  (e.g. t ourism, manufacturing, agro-
processing, ICT and creative industries ). WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  16. In December 2015, Jamaica' s first stand -alone Public Procurement Act (PPA) was signed and 
is expected to enter into force during 2017 . The new  PPA seeks to improve efficiency, transparency 
and equity by harmonizing procurement methods and thresholds with international best practices. 
Nonetheless, a domestic preference of up to 10% will remain, while procuring entities will continue 
to be encoura ged to set aside 15% of their total annual procurement for SMEs.  
17. Jamaica's Copyright Act was recently amended to, inter alia , extend the term of copyright 
protection from 50 to 95 years for original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, and t o 
fulfill Jamaica's obligations under the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and 
Phonograms Treaty . Jamaica also amended its Trade Marks Act to establish a cooling -off period in 
opposition proceedings; increase the period of non -use for which a party can apply to revoke a 
registration ; preserve the  rights of an earlier trade mark user; allow the treatment of trade  mark 
applications as property ; and allow requests for extension of time in more circumstances . Jamaica 
is yet to accept the Protocol  Amending the TRIPS Agreement.  
18. Agriculture represents about 7% of GDP and employs about 18% of the total workforce. Its 
development has been constrained by an inadequate infrastructure and natural disasters. Jamaica 
is a net food importer. Its tariff p rotection for agricultural products remains substantially higher 
than for non -agricultural products: the simple average MFN tariff rates are 20.8% and 7.9%, 
respectively , in 2017. Overall protection is still higher, since additional stamp duties are applie d 
mostly on agricultural products, while import licensing, export licensing, and export levies are 
applied on some agricultural products.  
19. Jamaica's merchandise exports are dominated by mining and quarrying products plus 
alumina. The applied import tari ff rate for bauxite is 0%, while that for alumina is 15%, reflecting 
the Government's intention to encourage local processing. Jamaica has made significant progress 
in increasing access to electricity, which now reaches 92% of the population. The Electrici ty Act 
2015 replaced its 125 -year-old legislation regulating this sector. To lower the burden for business 
development in Jamaica, the Government reduced the average electricity tariff from US$0.39 per 
kWh in 2012 to US$0.22 in 2016, which falls in the mid dle of the regional range. The Government 
has been making efforts to lower generation costs by diversifying electricity generation, by 
replacing aged generating units with more modern and efficient generation facilities, and by 
encouraging renewable energy . The contribution of manufacturing to GDP remains at about 8%, 
and it employs less than 7% of the total work force. After a number of years' contraction, value 
added of the manufacturing sector grew by 3. 6% in 201 5, facilitated by reduced electricity cost s 
and lower crude oil prices.  
20. Services are the main contributors to the economy, accounting for some 70% of GDP and 
employing about 67% of the workforce. With respect to financial services, new legislation was 
passed during the review period: the Bank ing Services Act was adopted in 2015, and the Bank of 
Jamaica Act was amended in the same year. Also, the Government has been pre -emptive in 
dealing with one of the main challenges faced by the banking sector: retaining banking services in 
the context of d e-risking by overseas correspondent banks. As a result, the financial sector has 
remained relatively stable during the period; although capital adequacy ratios remained flat, 
profitability indicators improved in 2016. More importantly, the ratio of non -performing loans to 
total loans for commercial banks decreased from 8.7% in 2011 to 2.7% in 2016. On the other 
hand, interest -rate spread continues to be high. The Insurance Act was amended in 2016 to keep 
pace with the development in the local and internatio nal insurance markets. The Securities Act was 
amended in 2014, and in 2016 the Government implemented a strategy to tighten the prudential 
standards for the securities sector.  
21. Competition has been strengthened in the telecommunications sector with the introduction 
of number portability, and the mobile termination rate was reduced from J$9 to J$1.10. During the 
review period, Internet became the primary means of communication. The overall Internet 
penetration rate jumped from 4.4% in 2011 to 65% in 2016;  during the same period, penetration 
rates for mobile phone services went up from 108.6% to 120%, while that for fixed line 
subscribers increased from 9.9% to 11.4%. The establishment of Jamaica's first Internet Exchange 
Point (IXP) in 2014 is expected to reduce the cost of local Internet traffic.  
22. Transport has seen some major progress during the past few years: legislative 
developments , including those related to civil aviation and shipping; the privatization of the 
Kingston Container Terminal; the des ignation of the Ian Fleming Airport as an international WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  airport; the establishment of another cruise ship terminal ; and the completion of a new segment of 
the tolled highway. These will help reduce transport costs, improve connectivity and help boost the 
tourism industry. In air transport, cabotage by foreign operators is allowed if there is an un -met 
need.  In maritime transport, f oreign -owned ships, if they meet certain conditions, may participate 
in local trade. Jamaican ships engaging in foreign trade ma y be declared "exempted ships" , and 
the entities that own or operate them may be exempted from income tax in respect of gains 
derived from the ownership or operation of the ship for 10 years, renewable. They may also be 
exempted from transfer tax, stamp du ties, and customs duties and GCT on imports to be used for 
the operation of the exempted ship and on articles imported for the construction, repair, of the 
ship. 
23. The tourism sector is the mainstay of the Jamaican economy: it continues to grow , and 
contributes over 9% to GDP directly – and about 30% when secondary effects are included. It is 
also a major foreign exchange earner, accounting for over half of total exports. The sector benefits 
from the new Omnibus Incentive schemes, which mainly include red uced customs duty, additional 
stamp duty rates, and corporate income tax rates. In this respect, the authorities indicated that 
more persons and more subsectors benefit from the incentive program mes under the new 
legislation, and incentives are now in perp etuity.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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 1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT   
1.1  Main Features of the Economy  
1.1.  The Jamaican economy is highly trade -oriented and dependent on travel and tourism (about 
8% of GDP and 1 in 13 jobs in 2015), remittances (16.7% of GDP in 2015), and relatively few 
export products  (Section 1.3.1). Commercial services are the main contributor to its output, with 
an estimated 69.1% share of GDP in 2016, followed by manufacturing; construction; and 
agriculture, forestry and fishing (Chart 1.1).  For several decades, Jamaica has been af flicted by 
low economic growth , with r eal GDP averaging 0.7% since 19901, a high unemployment rate 
(rarely dropp ing below 1 3%), and a large informal sector .2  
Chart 1.1 GDP by economic activity (at current pri ces), 2016  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on the data provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
1.2.  Jamaica's low economic growth is partly due to negative external shocks, such as the drought 
conditions that led to a decline in agricul ture in 2013 -2015 (Section 4.1.1), and the falling 
aluminium prices that depressed exports (Section 1.1.2.1). Nonetheless, slow growth is also the 
result of structural constraints, notably public sector low efficiency that has caused an inadequate 
allocati on of resources and weak public financial management; key infrastructure bottlenecks, such 
as energy and transportation; long -term decline in productivity; and continued dependence on a 
few export products that have lost competitiveness  in recent times.  
1.3.  At the time of its previous TPR, Jamaica had been affected by the global economic crisis that 
resulted in an economic decline of 1 .9% on average during 2008 -10, as well as marked decreases 
in foreign exchange earnings.3 After the economy contracted again in fiscal year 2012/13 in the 
wake of Hurricane Sandy, a US$932 million four -year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) was signed with 
the IMF in May 2013 to avert a severe fiscal and balance of payments crisis. Under the EFF, the 
key goals of Jamaica's economic refo rm programme include d boosting growth and employment, 
improving external competitiveness, achieving fiscal and debt sustainability, strengthening the 
financial system, supporting the poor, and tackling structural issues.4  
1.2  Recent Economic Developments  
1.4.  In November 2016, the Jamaican Government terminated the EFF and signed a three -year 
precautionary Stand -By Arrangement (SBA)  with the IMF.  The SBA arrangement , approximately 
                                                
1 Jamaica's GDP growth rate is well below, for example, the 3.8% average achieved across Latin 
America and the Caribbean between 1990 and 2015. Inter -American Dev elopment Bank and Inter -American 
Investment Corporation (2016), IDBG Country Strategy with Jamaica 2016 -2021, Washington D.C.  
2 Some studies estimate the informal sector in Jamaica at about 40% of GDP. See C. Wedderburn, E. 
Chiang, and R. Rhodd (2010), "The informal economy in Jamaica: Is it feasible to tax this sector?" , Journal of 
International Business and Cultural Studies. The most common explanation for why enterprises remain 
informal is the high cost of doing business (Section 3.1.1). Tax avoidance is  perhaps the single key reason.  
3 WTO (2010), Trade Policy Review of Jamaica , Geneva.  
4 IMF Country Report No. 16/181.  
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  US$1.64 billion , provides insurance against unforeseen adverse external economic shoc ks and 
allows the Government to focus  reform efforts to deliver better growth and job outcomes, reduce 
poverty and sustain macroeconomic stability. The main pillars of the SBA are to: better support 
growth, jobs, and social protection, including by improvi ng public sector efficiency, rebalancing 
from direct to indirect taxes, strengthening the social safety net, and reallocating public resources 
to growth -enhancing capital spending; reduce public debt to 60 % of GDP by 2025/26 by 
maintaining primary surplus at 7% of GDP for the duration of the new arrangement; modernize 
the monetary policy framework and build the foundation for an eventual move to inflation 
targeting, while maintaining exchange rate flexibility and continuing to build precautionary 
reserves; and bolster the resilience of the financial system.5 
1.5.  Jamaica has made major strides in restoring macroeconomic stability  over the last few years, 
pursuing prudent fiscal policy, reducing public debt, and undertaking significant changes to its tax 
policy. M oreover, the financial system has become more resilient to shocks, inflation is at historic 
lows, the current account deficit has more than halved, net international reserves have doubled, 
and business confidence is high . Nonetheless, economic growth remai ns elusive with an average 
GDP growth rate of only 0.7% since fiscal year 2011/12 (Table 1.1). As a result, one fifth of the 
population still lives under the poverty line. The Jamaican authorities' GDP growth forecast is 1.6% 
and 2% for FY 2016/17 and FY 2 017/18, respectively.6 Good tourism performance is expected to 
continue driving the economy, with recovery in agriculture and manufacturing also contributing.  
Table 1.1 Selected economic indicators, 2011/12 -2016/17a 
 2011/  
2012 2012/  
2013 2013/  
2014 2014/  
2015 2015/  
2016 2016/  
2017b 
Real sector indicators        
Nominal GDP (J$ billion)  1,260  1,338  1,462  1,572  1,690  1,758  
Nominal GDP (US$ million)  14,590  14,682  14,078  13,901  14,239  13,828  
Real GDP at basic p rices (% change)  0.9 -0.7 1.0 0.2 1.0 1.6 
Consumer prices (average; % change)  7.3 7.2 9.4 7.2 3.4 2.4 
Consumer prices (end period; % change)  7.3 9.1 8.3 4.0 3.0 4.1 
Unemployment rate (%)  14.4 16.3 13.6 13.2 13.7 12.9 
Money and banking (% change)        
Broad money (%change)  5.1 13.3 6.1 5.7 19.4 10.9 
Credit to the private sector (%change)  13.7 18.2 11.0 4.0 9.6 15.6 
Central government finances (% of 
GDP)        
Budgetary revenue  
   Of which: Tax revenuec 25.6 
23.0 25.8 
23.9 27.1 
23.6 26.2 
23.6 27.0 
24.4 28.2 
25.7 
Budgetary expenditure  32.0 29.8 27.0 26.7 27.2 28.9 
Budgetary balance  -6.4 -4.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.7 
Public debtd 140.3  145.3  140.5  136.6  120.2  122.5  
External sector        
J$/US$ (period average)  86 91 104 113 119 127 
Real effective exchan ge rate (end of period, 
% change; appreciation +)  2.8 -3.7 -4.2 2.0 -2.3 1.5 
Current account (% of GDP)  -13.6 -10.4 -8.7 -7.0 -1.7 -3.2 
External debt (% of GDP)e 59.5 60.2 63.0 62.8 77.1 75.6 
FDI, net (% of GDP)  2.1 2.7 4.1 4.7 6.9 5.4 
Gross internatio nal reserves (US$ million)  2,639  1,718  2,049  2,690  2,894  3,200  
   In months  of imports  4.3 2.9 3.6 4.8 5.6 5.9 
a Fiscal year from 1 April to 31 March . 
b Provisional.  
c As from 2014/15, it reflects the extension of the General Consumption Tax (GCT) to gov ernment 
purchases.  
d Central government direct and guaranteed only, including PetroCaribe debt (net of its financing to 
the central Government) and projected IMF disbursements and other IFIs.  
f Total foreign currency denominated debt of the central Governm ent. 
Source:  Data provided by the Jamaican  authorities.  
1.6.  The inflation rate (end period) fell from 7.3 % in FY 2011/12 to 4.1 % in FY2016/17, primarily 
owing to lower world oil prices and weakness in domestic demand due to the impact of fiscal 
                                                
5 IMF Press Release No. 16/503, 11 November 2016.  
6 The IMF estimates real GDP growth rates of 1.5% and 2% for 2016 and 2017, respectivel y. IMF 
(2017), World Economic Outlook, April, Washington, D.C.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  consolidation.7 Supported by low inflation, the real effective exchange rate has depreciated during 
the period under review.  According to the IMF, the exchange rate is broadly in line with 
fundamentals, and maintaining a floating exchange rate, with the Jamaican dollar ( J$) depreciating 
by at least as much as the inflation differential with its key trading partners, is needed to avoid 
past patterns of competitiveness erosion from currency overvaluation.8 For 201 7, the IMF 
estimates  an average inflation rate of 4.5% (3.8% in 2016) .9 
1.7.  Fiscal discipline has been the central plank for macroeconomic stability in Jamaica, after 
decades of high debt service hindered the provision of essential public services, including security, 
education, and energy. Over the last few years, comp rehensive reforms have been taken in tax 
policy and administration, including reductions on discretionary waivers on duties and taxes 
(Section 3.1.3 ). This, together with strong programme implementation and a PetroCaribe debt 
buyback10, have helped to reduc e the fiscal deficit from 6.4% of GDP in FY 2011/12 to 0.7% in FY 
2016/17. Similarly, public debt, as a percentage  of GDP, fell from 140.3% to 122.5% during the 
period.  Nonetheless, according to the IMF further fiscal reforms are needed. For example, the 
public sector wage bill, which is budgeted to exceed 10% of GDP in FY 2016/17 and absorbs over 
one third of government revenues, continues to crowd out other spending, and its reduction hinges 
on reforms to modernize the public sector.  
1.8.  The Jamaican authorit ies remain resolute in maintaining a strong fiscal position and aim to 
achieve a primary surplus of 7% of GDP for FY 2017/18 through to FY 2019/20 and bring debt -to-
GDP down to 60% by FY 2025/26. A key part of the Government's fiscal strategy is to improve  the 
growth -friendliness of the tax system by shifting some of the tax burden from productive inputs, 
notably  labour, to indirect taxation (S ection 3.1.5). Under the 2016/17 budget, the annual 
exemption threshold for personal income tax was increased from J$592,800 to J$1,500,096 in a 
two-step process.11  
1.9.  Jamaica 's current account deficit, as a percentage  of GDP, decreased from 13.6% in 20 11/12  
to an estimated 3.2 % in 201 6/17, largely due to reduced import costs (notably fuels), and 
sustained tourism and rem ittances earnings. This improvement occurred despite a drop in some 
key exports such as aluminium ore and bauxite (Section 1.1.2).  For 2017, the IMF expects a 
current account deficit of 3.1% of GDP  (2.7% in 2016) .12 Traditionally, Jamaica  has had a 
persiste nt merchandise trade deficit. During the review period, i t decreased from US$ 4,112  million 
in 2011 to US$ 3,177  million in 201 6 (Table 1.2), consistent  with movements of the real exchange 
rate. With a more  sound current account position and capital inflows,  the Bank of Jamaica  was able 
to build up gross reserves from US$ 2,639  million to US$ 3,200  million during the review period 
(Table  1.1). 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2011 -16 
(US$ million)  
 2011  2012  2013a 2014a 2015b 2016b 
Current account  -1,913.8  -1,440.2  -1,356.8  -1,114.4  -399.8  -306.5  
Goods balance  -4,111.7  -3,905.7  -3,877.7  -3,759.0  -3,164.0  -3,177.1  
  Exports (f.o.b.)  1,623.7  1,728.5  1,580.5  1,448.6  1,254.8  1,117.1  
  Imports (f.o.b.)  5,735.3  5,634.2  5,458.2  5,207.6  4,450.4  4,348.2  
Services balance  667.5  578.3  696.6  707.5  897.9  1,065.0  
  Transportation  -559.7  -726.2  -688.8  -696.0  -573.3  -593.5  
  Travel  1,830.8  1,885.3  1,895.5  2,057.3  2,166.1  2,286.8  
  Other services  -603.7  -580.9  -510.4  -653.8  -694.9 628.3  
                                                
7 Until its recent decline, inflation in Jamaica had been high and unstable, making expectations hard to 
anchor. According to the IMF, although the Bank of Jamaica regards inflation  target as i ts nominal anchor, it 
should firmly establish a single mandate for achieving price stability to provide clear policy signals. IMF Country 
Report No. 16/181.  
8 Maintaining a flexible exchange rate would imply that interventions by the Bank of Jamaica in the  
foreign exchange market should be largely for the purpose of building reserves and smoothing out excessive 
exchange rate volatility.  IMF Country Report No. 16/181.  
9 IMF (2017), World Economic Outlook, April, Washington, D.C.  
10 On 23 July  2015, Jamaica ra ised US$2 billion on the international capital market through the issue of 
two new Eurobonds. In August 2015,  US$1.5 billion was used to purchase US$3.25 billion in debt owed to 
state-owned Venezuelan oil company Petr óleos de Venezuela SA by Jamaica's Petr oCaribe Development Fund . 
11 The first phase came into effect in July 2016 (raising the income tax threshold to J$1 million), and the 
second phase increase to J$1.5 million in April 2017.  
12 IMF (2017), World Economic Outlook, April, Washington, D.C.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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   2011  2012  2013a 2014a 2015b 2016b 
Income  -459.4  -199.6  -333.6  -298.4  -440.0  -585.1  
  Compensation of employees  46.3 59.6 50.0 63.9 80.9 76.8 
  Investment income  -505.7  -259.2  -383.6  -362.3  -520.8  -661.9  
Current transfers  1,989.8  2,086.8  2,157.9  2,235.5  2,306.4  2,390.8  
  Official 141.3  168.3  196.6  165.3  165.5  186.8  
  Private  1,848.4  1,918.5  1,961.2  2,070.2  2,140.8  2,204.0  
Capital & financial account  1,913.8  1,440.2  1,356.8  1,114.4  399.8  306.5  
Financial account  1,554.9  2,092.3  1,421.7  755.5  273.0  324.3  
  Other official inves tment  488.7  781.8  516.6  821.8  1,202.2  25.4 
  Other private investmentsc 861.0  -217.4  732.8  1,208.0  1,365.1  632.1  
  Reservesd 205.2  840.5  77.8 -953.3  -435.9  -282.3  
a Revised.  
b Provisional.  
c Includes errors and omissions.  
d Minus denotes increase.  
Sourc e: Data provided by the Jamaican  authorities.  
1.3  Developments in Trade and Investment  
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  
1.10.   As a small, open, island economy, Jamaica is highly dependent on international trade: its 
ratio of exports and imports  of goods and services to GDP averaged around 80% during the review 
period . Jamaica  ranks 118th among world merchandise exporters and 96th among importers 
(considering EU member States as one and excluding intra -EU trade).13 
1.11.   Jamaica's merchandise exports (in cluding re -exports) decreased from US$1,623 million in 
2011 to US$1, 202 million in 201 6 mainly due to  the decline in global commodity prices of mineral 
exports . Re-exports accounted for 8.7% of total merchandise exports in 201 6 (5% in 2011). The 
export str ucture remains heavily concentrated in chemical and mineral products (mostly bauxite 
and aluminium) which together accounted for 62.8% of total exports in 201 6, against 70% in 2011 
(Chart 1.2 and Table  A1.1). Also important are prepared foodstuffs, beverag es, and spirits , their 
share in total merchandise exports increased  from 16.4% to 1 7.4% during the period . 
1.12.   Merchandise exports are also highly concentrated geographically ; the United States, the 
European Union and Canada together took 71.4% of Jamaica's ex ports in 2016 (Chart 1. 3 and 
Table  A1.3). Nonetheless, the share of the United States, Jamaica's single most important export 
market destination, decreased from 51.7% in 2011 to 41.5% in 2016. Th e European Union's 
participation in Jamaica's total merchandi se exports (led by the Netherlands and the United 
Kingdom) averaged 18.5% during the period. Noteworthy is the increase in the share of Iceland in 
Jamaica's total exports from 0.5% in 2011 to 7.8% in 2015 reflecting higher demand for alumina 
to produce alu minium14, although this share decreased to 2% in 2016.  
1.13.   Merchandise imports went down from US$ 6,437  million in 2011 to US$ 4,767  million in 
2016, largely associated with the decline in the international price of crude oil . There is 
considerably more balance a cross commodity groups in Jamaica's import structure ( Chart 1.2 and 
Table A1.2). The largest categor y is mineral fuels (petroleum products)  although its share declined 
from 35.9% in 2011 to 19.8% in 2016, while that of machinery and transport equi pment 
(including motor vehicles) increased to 14.7% in 2016 (10.% in 2011). Prepared foodstuffs, 
beverages and spirits; and chemicals, including ethanol feedstock, and medicinal and 
pharmaceutical products  also represent a sizeable part of Jamaica's total merchandi se imports . 
1.14.   The United States continues to be Jamaica's largest source of merchandise imports with 
39.5% in 201 6, up from 33.6% in 2011 . Much of this trade is in food, machinery, motor vehicles, 
industrial inputs, and materials for assembly and exports. Trinidad and Tobago was the second 
largest single source market accounting for 7.3% of merchandise imports in 2016. The 
                                                
13 WTO S tatistics database, "Trade Profiles: Jamaica  ". Viewed at:  http://stat.wto.org/CountryProfile/  
JM-e.htm  
14 Iceland is now one of the ten largest aluminium producers in the world following the comp letion of 
large-scale investment projects in the aluminium and power sectors . WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  participation of the European Union in Jamaica's total imports went up from 6.6% to 9.8% during 
the period, while that of China and Japan also increased (Chart 1.3 and Table A1.4) . 
Chart 1.2 Merchandise trade by main HS sections, 2011 and 2016  
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.  
WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Chart 1.3 Direction of merchandise trade, 2011 and 2016  
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.  
1.15.   In services trade, Jamaica rank s 67th as exporter and 8 2nd as importer in the world 
(considering EU member States as one and excludi ng intra -EU trade).15 On the back of strong 
tourism (travel) earnings, Jamaica has traditionally been a net exporter of services , with a surplus 
that averaged US$620 million since 2011. Main services outflows refer to transportation and other 
business servi ces (Table 1. 3). 
                                                
15 WTO Statistics database, "Trade Profiles: Jamaica ". 
 Viewed at:  http://stat.wto.org/CountryProfile/JM -e.htm  
WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 1.3 Trade in services (net), 2011 -16 
(US$ million)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015a 2016a 
Services  667.5  578.3  696.6  707.5  897.9  1,065.0  
   Transportation  -559.7  -726.2  -688.8  -696.0  -573.3  -593.5  
      Passenger fares  -6.4 -234.2  -215.5  -258.7  -178.0  -203.7  
      Freight  -715.5  -710.0  -684.6  -647.5  -569.6  -583.6  
      Other  161.9  218.0  210.6  210.1  174.3  193.8  
   Travel  1,830.8  1,885.3  1,895.8  2,057.3  2,166.1  2,286.8  
   Other services  -603.7 -580.9  -510.4  -653.8  -694.9  -628.3  
      Construction services  -72.6 -32.4 -44.0 -61.1 -91.6 -60.2 
      Communication services  36.9 25.4 49.2 25.1 25.1 30.3 
      Insurance services  -134.1  -166.6  -131.4  -172.6  -149.8  -114.7  
      Financial servic es -2.7 -8.7 -14.3 -27.7 -30.9 -30.4 
      Computer and information services  -0.9 12.1 14.1 17.1 16.8 17.1 
      Royalties and licence fees  -43.5 -56.1 -50.9 -44.5 -45.2 -45.5 
      Other business services  -380.7  -389.0  -377.8  -421.4  -451.9  -457.4  
      Personal, cultural and recreational  23.4 75.7 75.4 62.7 62.7 62.7 
      Government services  -29.3 -41.3 -30.7 -31.4 -30.2 -30.2 
a Preliminary.  
Source:  Data provided by the Jamaican  authorities.  
1.3.2   Trends and patterns in FDI  
1.16.   During the review period, Jamai ca took measures to attract larger FDI inflows and improve 
the business climate , as shown in the World Bank's report on doing business , where Jamaica's 
ranking improved  from 81st (out of 183 economies) in 2011 to 67th (out of 190 economies) in 
2017.16 These  measures include: simplifying the tax system; broadening the tax base; 
implementing an electronic platform for the payment of taxes and establishing a 90 -day window 
for development approvals ; enacting the Insolvency Act to make bankruptcy proceedings more  
efficient; establishing credit bureaux and the Collateral Registry under the Secured Interest in 
Personal Property legislation to improve access to credit; and  the enactment of the new Electricity 
Act ( Section 4. 2.2) and the new Public Procurement Act 201 5 (Section 3.3.6). Once fully 
implemented, these measures will positively impact the investment climate.  
1.17.   Nonetheless, Jamaica's potential for attracting foreign investors and fostering domestic 
investment remains largely untapped. Its FDI inflows averaged around US$6 64 million per year 
during 2012 -15 (Table 1. 4), and total FDI inflows and domestic investment totalled 21% of GDP in 
2014, one of the lowest in the region. According to external sources, private investment has been 
inhibited by several factors, notably crime and theft, government bureaucracy, and relatively high 
tax rates.17 
Table 1.4 FDI, 2012 -16 
(US$ million)  
 2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
FDI inflows  413 545 582 925 856 
FDI inward stock  12,119  12,664  13,246  14,171  15,027  
FDI inward stock (% of GDP)  85.4 89.6 95.5 99.7 107.7  
FDI outflows  90 -86 -2 4 286 
FDI outward stock  510 317 314 319 604 
FDI outward stock (% of GDP)  3.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 4.3 
Source:  UNCTAD (201 7), World Investment Report 201 7, Geneva.  
1.18.   Tourism, mining and the IT/telecoms sector s remain key FDI inflow drivers in Jamaica 
(Table 1.5), led by investors from China and Spain. Business process outsourcing, including call 
centre and other technical support, has become an emerging activity for l ocal and foreign 
                                                
16 World Bank online information.  
Viewed at: http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/jamaica  
17 World Economic Forum online information.  
Viewed at: http://reports.weforum.org/global -competitiveness -report -2016-2017/economies/#economy=JMA  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  investment, most prominently from the United States, and the Jamaican Government recently 
approved a five -year plan to expand these activities .18  
Table 1.5 FDI inflows by sector, 2011 -16 
(US$ million)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
Information technology and communication  85.7 93.8 51.1 14.2 1.1 9.3 
Minerals and chemicals  6.0 33.9 56.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Tourism  7.5 5.8 103.8  124.8  368.2  257.6  
Mining  29.2 55.9 28.3 25.8 82.1 25.5 
Other  43.9 136.7 261.1  326.7  246.8  305.1  
Sub-total  172.3  326.1  501.3  491.6  698.2  597.5  
Retained earnings  45.9 87.1 43.5 90.6 226.8  192.9  
Total  218.2  413.3  544.7  582.1  925.0  790.4  
a Preliminary.  
Source:  Data provided by the Jamaican authorities . 
1.4  Outlook  
1.19.   According to t he IMF, Jamaica's potential GDP growth is below 1.5%, among the lowest in 
the region. Steady implementation of structural reforms (especially in the business environment, 
physical infrastructure, and human resources development areas) and prudent macroecon omic 
policies seem critical to boost potential growth and reduce poverty in Jamaica . On 27 April 2016 , 
the Economic Growth Council was established with the key goal of increasing GDP growth to 5% 
by 2020.19 The Jamaican authorities acknowledge that an incre ase in potential growth also 
requires redoubling efforts to jumpstart private sector -led growth. Private sector dynamism is 
constrained by multiple factors, such as high crime, lack of financial access and high financing 
cost, and high tax compliance cost.  The World Bank's Doing Business indicators show that trade 
facilitation, contract enforcement, and property registration are some of the areas Jamaica needs 
urgently to improve.20 
1.20.   Jamaica's development goals are defined in its "Vision 2030", which dates ba ck to 2009. 
This National Development Plan, implemented through a series of three -yearly medium -term 
socio-economic policy frameworks , presents a strategic roadmap for Jamaica to achieve develop 
country status by 2030 . In these documents and strategies, tr ade is an important factor to 
overcome development challenges from two perspectives: developing the capacity to trade, i.e. 
improving competitiveness in export markets; and ensuring that the wider society obtains 
development benefits from trade through inc reased revenues and employment.  For instance, 
reference is made to the need to develop economic linkages and clusters and to the need to 
support local communities.21 
1.21.   Prioritized sectors under Jamaica's second National Export Strategy II (NES II) 2015 -2019 
are: agro -processing and agribusiness (including nutraceuticals), mining, film and animation, 
information technology enabled services, and manufacturing (Section 2.2).  
                                                
18 U.S. Department of State online information. "2015 Investment Climate Statement: Jamaica ". Viewed 
at: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2015/241607.htm  
19 The Economic Growth Council comprises public and private sector participants to drive growth -
oriented projects.  Over the next years, t he authorities plan to invest in agro -parks and water infrastructure, 
seek out large foreign investments, and improve skill training of young people, in order to support growth and 
job creation.  
20 World Bank online information.  
Viewed at: http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/jamaica  
21 UNCTAD (2015), Trade Policy Framework: Jamaica , Geneva.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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 2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIME  
2.1  General Framework  
2.1.  Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy based  on the British model. The British monarch is the 
Head of State, and is represented locally by the Governor -General. Under the 1962 Constitution, 
the Governor -General is appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, and acts in 
accordance with the  advice of the Prime Minister in most cases.1 The current Governor -General has 
served since 2009.  
2.2.  The legislative power is vested in the bicameral Parliament consisting of two houses: a 
nominated Senate and an elected House of Representatives. The Senate c onsists of 21 Members 
appointed by the Governor -General: 13 on the advice of the Prime Minister and 8 on the advice of 
the Leader of the Opposition. The House of Representatives is made up of 63 Members of 
Parliament, elected for five -year terms.  
2.3.  The execu tive authority rests with the Cabinet, which is accountable to Parliament. The Prime 
Minister forms the Cabinet and presides over it. The Prime Minister selects the Ministers  and the  
Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries to be appointed by the G overnor -General. The 
current Prime Minister was elected in February 2016 and was inaugurated in March 2016.  
2.4.  A bill may be introduced by any member of either House, while money bills can only be 
introduced in the House of Representatives. The Senate may sub mit bills, and it also reviews 
legislation submitted by the House of Representatives. It may not delay budget bills for more than 
one month, or other bills for more than seven months. The Governor -General's formal assent is 
required for bills of Parliament  to become law. When the Governor -General assents to a bill, the 
notification of the assent must be published in the Gazette. Every Act, except where expressly 
provided for within the Act, comes into effect on the date of the publication of the assent.  
2.5.  A network of courts is responsible for the administration of justice in Jamaica. Judges are 
appointed by the Governor -General on the advice of a Judicial Service Commission, which includes 
the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal. The Gover nor-General, on the advice of 
the Prime Minister, appoints the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal, after 
consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. The head of the judicial system is the Chief Justice.  
The Judicial Committee of the  Privy Council , which sits in the United Kingdom,  is the court of final 
appeal for Jamaica.  
2.6.  CARICOM governments created the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 2005, which has an 
exclusive jurisdiction for interpreting provisions of the Revised Treaty of C ARICOM (RTC). The CCJ 
has both an original and an appellate jurisdiction. In its original jurisdiction, the Court has 
compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes concerning the interpretation 
and application of the RTC. Jamaica has  accepted the original jurisdiction of the CCJ, which is 
incorporated under domestic law through the Caribbean Court of Justice (Original Jurisdiction) Act 
(entered into force on 23 March 2012). Jamaica is not a party to the Court's appellate jurisdiction.  
2.7.  International agreements are concluded by Jamaica after approval by the Cabinet. Provisions 
of international agreements to which Jamaica is a party, including WTO agreements, must first be 
incorporated into domestic law before they can be invoked before t he courts. The authorities 
stated that there are instances where a court may refer to the provisions of a treaty to which 
Jamaica is a party even though it has not been incorporated into domestic law.2 
2.8.  According to the World Bank's Doing Business Report, i n 2017 resolving a standard contract 
enforcement dispute takes 550 days and costs 45.6% of the value of the claim (the Latin America 
and Caribbean average is 749 days and 31.3% of the claim).3 Jamaica stands globally at 117th out 
of 190 economies on the ea se of enforcing contracts, which is one of the major areas requiring 
improvement (Section 2.4.4).  
                                                
1 The Jamaica Constitution, 1962. Viewed at: http://jis.gov.jm/media/constit.pdf  [4 November 2016].  
2 This could possibly occur, for example, in relation to certain environmental and human rights matters.  
3 World Bank (2016), Doing Business 2017 – Equal Opportun ity for All – Economy Profile 2017 Jamaica . 
Viewed at: http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/wbg/doingbusiness/documents/profiles/country/jam.pdf  
[07 November 2016].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  2.9.  The formulation and coordination of Jamaica's international trade policy remains mainly 
under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Tra de (MFAFT), which 
coordinates trade policy matters and is responsible for bilateral, regional and multilateral trade and 
investment negotiations.  
2.10.   The Jamaica Trade and Adjustment Team (JTAT), set up in 2001, is the consultation and 
coordination mechanism b etween the public and private sectors. Its main functions include: 
assisting in policy formulation and implementation on foreign trade policy issues; facilitating 
effective coordination of public and private sector organizations and individuals involved in  foreign 
trade policy formulation and implementation; and providing information and advice regarding 
multilateral and bilateral negotiations.  
2.11.   Other ministries, departments and  agencies involved in trade -related activities include: the 
Ministry of Industry , Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF); the Ministry of Economic 
Growth and Job Creation; the Ministry of Transport and Mining; the Ministry of Tourism; the 
Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; the Ministry of Science, Energy and 
Technology; the Statistical Institute of Jamaica; the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service; the 
Bank of Jamaica (BOJ); the Jamaica Customs Agency; Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO); 
and the Financial Services Commission.  
2.12.   Jamaica ratified the Unit ed Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2005, which 
took effect in 2008.4 It is also a party to the Inter -American Convention against Corruption. The 
Commission for the Prevention of Corruption remains the national anti -corruption agency. It 
administers and enforces the Corruption (Prevention) Act, which was passed in 2000 and became 
operational in 2003. Under the Act, public servants may be imprisoned for up to 10 years and 
fined up to J$160,000 if convicted of engaging in acts of bribery. Jama ican individuals and 
companies  face the same penalties as public servants if they bribe foreign public officials. Certain 
categories of public servants must make statutory declarations of their assets, liabilities and 
income, and investigations are conduct ed if those government employees' declared assets are not 
in keeping with their total emoluments.5 In 2011, the Protected Disclosures Act was passed.  
2.13.   The authorities considered "crime and a lack of public security as a key social and economic 
issue that i s holding Jamaica back".6 The Government intends to address corruption by 
strengthening the framework around seizures, forfeitures, and witness protection, and 
implementing AML/CFT (anti -money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism) measures to 
prevent the laundering of proceeds of corruption. The Economic Growth Council (EGC) (see below) 
proposed submit ting legislation to Parliament to establish a Major Organized Crime and Anti -
Corruption Agency, as an independent national law enforcement agency f ocused on terrorism, 
major organized crime, and serious corruption. The IMF stated that implementation of proposals 
made by the EGC, including a comprehensive review of several laws that govern crime and 
corruption, is advancing.7 
2.14.   Legislation passed prior to 2010 is available online on the Ministry of Justice website 
(http://moj.gov.jm/laws ), while legislation passed after 2009 is available on the Parliament 
website ( http:/ /www.japarliament.gov.jm ). A large amount of trade -related legislation has been 
revised or amended since 2011 (Table 2.1).  
                                                
4 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC ) online information. Viewed at: 
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC/signatories.html  [7 November 2016].  
5 Ministry of Justice online information. Viewed at: http://moj.gov.jm/commission -for-the-prevention -
of-corruption  [8 November 2016].  
6 IMF (2017), Jamaica – First review under the stand -by arrangement, request for waiver of a 
performance criterion, and request for modification of performance criteria, IMF Country Report No.  17/98, 
April, Washington D.C. Viewed online at: http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2017/04/18/Jamaica -
First-Review -Under -the-Stand -By-Arrangement -Request -for-Waiver -of-a-Performance -44844 [22 May 2017].  
7 IMF (2017), Jamaica – First review under the stand -by arrangement, request for waiver of a 
performance criterion, and request for modification of performance criteria, IMF Country Report No.  17/98, 
April, Washington D.C. Viewed online a t: http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2017/04/18/Jamaica -
First-Review -Under -the-Stand -By-Arrangement -Request -for-Waiver -of-a-Performance -44844  [22 May 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 2.1 Selected trade -related legislation, revised, amended or newly issued since 
2011  
Area  Legislation  
Import and export 
procedures  Customs (Amendment) Act, 2014 & 2015  
Trade (Prohibition of Import) (Hydraulic Cement) Order, 2015  
Trade Scrap Metal Regulations, 2013  
Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Produce and By -Products (Inspecti on, Licensing 
and Export) (Change of Name and Amendment) Act, 2013  
Conch (Export Levy) (2013 Conch Season) (Special Provision) Act, 2013  
Conch (Export Levy) (Special Provision) Act, 2015  
 Conch (Export Levy) (Validation and Indemnity) Act, 2013  
Tariff Customs Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) Resolution, 2013  
Customs Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) (No.  2) Resolution, 2013  
Customs Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) (No.  3) Resolution, 2013  
Customs Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) (No.  4) Resolution, 2013  
Customs Tariff (CARICOM Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement) Resolution, 2014  
Customs Tariff (CARICOM Republic of Cuba Economic Cooperation Agreement) 
Resolution, 2014  
Customs Tariff (CARICOM Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement) 
Resolution, 2014  
Custom s Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) (No.  2) Resolution, 2014  
Customs Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) (No.  3) Resolution, 2014  
Investment, taxation and 
incentives  Insolvency Act, 2014  
General Consumption Tax (Amendment) Act, 2014  
General Consumption Tax (A mendment) (No.  2) Act, 2014  
Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Minimum Business Tax Act, 2015  
Urban Renewal (Tax Relief) (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Fiscal Incentives (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2013  
Income Tax Relief (Large Scale Project s and Pioneer Industries) Act, 2013  
Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Transfer Tax (Amendment) Act, 2014  
Stamp Duty (Amendment of Schedule) Order, 2013  
SEZs Special Economic Zones Act, 2016  
Competition policy  Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 201 2 
TBT Standards (Amendment) Act, 2012  
SPS Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Produce and By -Products (Inspection, Licensing 
and Export) (Change of Name and Amendment) Act, 2013  
Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Processed Food (General) (Amendmen t) Regulations, 2012  
Standards (Labelling of Processed Food) (Amendment) Regulations, 2012  
 
Government procurement  Public Procurement Act, 2015  
IPRs Protection of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Act, 2013  
Trade Marks (Amendment) Ru les, 2011   
Trade Marks (Amendment) Act, 2013  
Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2015  
  
Sectoral legislation   
Agriculture, fishery  Fishing Industry (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Electricity  Electricity Act, 2015  
Services  Bank of Jamaica (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Banking Services Act, 2014  
Banking Services (Amalgamation & Transfers) (Banks & Merchant Banks 
Regulations), 2015  
Banking Services (Deposit Taking Institutions) (Capital Adequacy) Regulations, 
2015 
Banking Services (Deposit Taking Institutions) (Licenc e Applications) Rules, 
2015 
Banking Services (Establishment of Branches) Regulations, 2015  
Banking Services (Hours of Opening) Regulations, 2015  
Banking Services (Licence Fees) Regulations, 2015  
Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Act, 2013, 2014 & 2016  
Jamaican International Financial Services Authority Act, 2011  
Financial Administration and Audit (Amendment) Act, 2014  
Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2016  
Insurance (Actuaries) (General Insurance Companies) (Amendment) 
Regulations, 2011  
Insurance (Amendment of Schedules) Regulations, 2015  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Area  Legislation  
Insurance (Amendment) Regulations, 2011  
Mortgage Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2014  
Securities (Amendment) Act, 2013 & 2014  
Securities (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, amended in 2014  
Securities (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations 2013, amended in 
2014 and 2015  
Securities (Takeover and Mergers) Regulations, amended in 2014  
Securities (Retail Repurchase Agreement) Regulations 2014, amended in 2015  
Securities (Prudential) Regula tions, 2014  
Pensions (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) (Validation and 
Amendment) Act, 2013  
Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, 2012  
Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, 2015  
Legal Profession (Amendment) Act, 2012  
Civil Aviation (Amendment) Ac t, 2015 (still not enacted into law)  
Civil Aviation Regulations, 2012  
Pilotage (Amendment) Regulations, 2013  
Shipping (Declaration of Port of Registry) Order, 2014  
Shipping Fees (Amendment) Regulations, 2014  
Shipping (Registration of Ships) (Amen dment) Regulations, 2014  
Shipping (Load Lines) Regulations, 2011  
Shipping (Medical Examination) (Amendment) Regulations, 2015  
Travel Agencies Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2011  
Caribbean Maritime University Act, 2017  
The Partnership (General) Act, 2017 
The Partnership (Limited) Act, 2017  
  
Bills to be enacted  Draft Customs Act  
International Holding Companies Bill  
International Trust and Corporate Services Bill  
Civil Aviation (Aviation Occurrences) (Annex 13) Regulations (still not enacted  
into law)  
Civil Aviation (Amendment) Regulations  
Ballast Water Management Convention Bill (still not enacted into law)  
Shipping (Amendment) Bill (still not enacted into law)  
Shipping (Welfare of Seafarers and Maritime Labour Compliance) Regulation s 
(still not enacted into law)  
Shipping (Pollution Prevention, Response, Liability and Compensation) Bill (still 
not enacted into law)  
Shipping (Training, Certification, Safe Manning, Hours of Work and 
Watchkeeping) (Amendment) Regulations  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
2.2  Trade Policy Formulation and Objectives  
2.15.   In addition to  Jamaica's new Trade Policy issued in 2001 and the National Export Strategy  
issued  in 2009, Vision 2030  – Jamaica's national development plan  – specifies the countr y's main  
trade policy objectives. Covering a 21 -year period (2009 -30), Vision 2030 presents a strategic 
roadmap for Jamaica to achieve developed country status by 2030. It is implemented through a 
series of medium -term socio -economic policy frameworks (MTF s), which identify the priority 
outcomes, strategies and actions for each three -year period from 2009 to 2030. According to MTF 
2015-18, key reforms in the economy include the establishment of a Cash Management Unit in the 
Account General 's Department, the  tabling and passage of legislation on Special Economic Zones 
(SEZs), the completion of the pilot testing of ASYCUDA World at Kingston port, and the full 
implementation of the Banking Services Act which assigned overall responsibility for financial 
stabili ty to the BOJ.8 
2.16.   Jamaica has been facing persistent trade deficits, caused mainly by three interconnected 
factors: high concentration in export markets; undiversified export products; and deterioration in 
terms of trade.9 The authorities stated that other f actors include the differential inflation vis-à-vis 
                                                
8 Vision 2030 Progress Report . Viewed at: http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/Portals/0/Progress_Reports/  
Update%20on%20Vision%202030%20Jamaica%20 -%20September%2025,%202016.pdf   
[10 November 2016].  
9 UNCTAD (2015), Trade Policy Framework: Jamaica . Viewed at: http://unctad.org/en/  
PublicationsLibrary/ditctncd2013d9_en.pdf  [11 January 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  trading partners, an uncompetitive exchange rate, and low productivity. The Growth Agenda Policy 
Paper FY2015/16 outlined measures and policies that focused specifically on accelerating growth.10 
In partic ular, it highlighted the importance of an integrated framework for trade and production to 
ensure that Jamaica benefits from its external trade relationships. Specific areas of alignment 
include: the development of the new policy, legislative, regulatory a nd institutional framework for 
SEZs; the negotiation of relevant partial scope and free trade agreements; the strengthening of 
the infrastructure needed to conduct certification to meet with international standards; the 
strengthening of the capacities for market research, intelligence and penetration; and the 
strengthening of the capacity for collaboration between the public and private sectors in 
developing new markets, industries and value chains.  
2.17.   The new Foreign Trade Policy (being drafted and undergoing  consultation) and the second 
National Export Strategy represent particular opportunities to advance the alignment of trade 
policy and strategy with the Growth Agenda. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and 
Fisheries (MICAF ) recently establish ed a Trade Facilitation Task Force, which reports to the 
National Competitiveness Council (NCC). The Task Force is developing a Trade Facilitation 
Implementation Road Map and Project Plan to enhance the potential contribution of trade to 
economic growth. T he aim is to organize reform activities to meet obligations above  and beyond 
the TFA.  
2.18.   To implement the Growth Agenda, a Growth Agenda Subcommittee (GASC) was established 
in 2014, under the Economic Development Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by the Minis ter of 
Finance and the Public Service. The GASC was replaced by the Economic Growth Council (EGC) in 
2016 under the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, which is responsible for the 
development of growth initiatives (Section 1.2, Outlook). It also  monitors the implementation of 
the reforms and strategic investment projects of the Growth Agenda. The operation of the EGC is 
supported by a multi -agency technical team with representatives from the Port Authority, the 
Planning Institute  of Jamaica , the Development Bank  of Jamaica , MICAF, the Ministry of Finance 
and the Public Service, and JAMPRO. The EGC prepared a detailed Growth Agenda Matrix of 
priority business environment reforms and strategic projects. This Matrix focuses on three 
components: busin ess environment competitiveness reforms, strategic investment projects, and 
human capital development and protection.  
2.19.   Jamaica's second National Export Strategy II (NES II) 2015 -2019 was launched in August 
2015.11 The key goal is to position the country for a "market -driven approach to export 
development". Prioritized sectors identified in NES II are: agro -processing and agribusiness 
(including nutraceuticals), mining, film and animation, information technology enabled services, 
and manufacturing. Measures to  support the development of an enabling environment for export 
include: lowering the transaction cost of trading across borders, improving standards and quality 
management, and enhancing supply capacity, among others.  
2.3  Trade Agreements and Arrangements  
2.3.1   WTO  
2.20.   Jamaica has been a member of the GATT since 1963 and a Member of the WTO since 1995. 
Jamaica grants at least MFN treatment to all its trading partners. Under the GATS, Jamaica made 
commitments in 8 of the 12 sectors, and participated in the extended negoti ations on basic 
telecommunications and financial services. Jamaica ratified the Fifth Protocol to the GATS in 2012, 
and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in January 2016. In February 2015, Jamaica submitted 
its Category A notification (Section 3). Jamai ca's trade policies have been reviewed three times in 
the WTO; the last review took place in January 2011.  
2.21.   In WTO negotiations, Jamaica is a member of the following groups: the African, Caribbean 
and Pacific (ACP)  group of countries , G-90 (ACP, African Gro up and LDC), G -33 (agriculture), 
                                                
10 Jamaica Chamber of Commerce online information . Viewed at:  http://jamaicachamber.org.jm/wp -
content/uploads/2015/03/Growth -Agenda -Policy -Paper.pdf  [12 January 2017].  
11 JAMPRO online information. Viewed at: http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/nes/documents/  
NES_FullVersion_2015.pdf  [10 November 2016].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  "W/52 Co -sponsors" (geographical indications), and Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs).12 
Jamaica emphasizes that special and differential treatment must be a fundamental pillar of the 
work of the WTO and must be appropria tely reflected in any outcomes in the negotiations. Jamaica 
is a proponent of the WTO Work Programmes on Small Economies, supporting the view that the 
needs and priorities of SVEs must be addressed fully and in all areas of the WTO. Therefore, 
Jamaica:  
a. supports the work of the G -33, particularly in calling for the conclusion of the 
negotiations on the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM);  
b. advocates that the scope and structure of any disciplines of fisheries subsidies must be 
flexible in design and implementa tion, including the provision of technical assistance and 
capacity -building support that may be needed; and  
c. considers that flexibilities must be given to developing countries under the GATS during 
services negotiations.  
2.22.   In the SVE Ministerial Declaration issued in 2015 during the 10th WTO Ministerial 
Conference, Jamaica, as part of the SVE Group, urged WTO Members to commit to preserving the 
flexibilities that have been stabilized and identified in the DDA negotiations, including in agriculture 
and NAMA, a nd to provide enhanced flexibilities for SVEs in other negotiating areas.13 
2.23.   Jamaica has never been a respondent or complainant in a WTO dispute; during the review 
period, it was a third party to the dispute settlement case involving bananas.14  
2.24.   Since 2011, J amaica has submitted notifications to the WTO in a number of areas 
(Table  2.2). However, no notifications have been made in the areas of customs valuation or GATS 
(except one notification on contact enquiry points).  
Table 2.2 Notifications to the WTO, 1 January 2011 -27 June 2017  
Legal provision  Description of 
requirements  WTO document (most recent or series) 
and date  
Agreement on Agriculture  
Article 10 & 18.2 – ES:1 Export subsidy 
commitments  G/AG/N/JAM/14, 7  April 2016  
G/AG/N/JAM/12, 16 June 2014  
G/AG/N/JAM/8, 23 February 2012  
Article 18.2 – DS:1 Domestic support  G/AG/N/JAM/13, 8 April 2016  
G/AG/N/JAM/11, 9 May 2014  
G/AG/N/JAM/10/Rev.1, 28 October 2013  
G/AG/N/JAM/10, 2 August 2013  
G/AG/N/JAM/9/Rev.1, 28 Octo ber 2013  
G/AG/N/JAM/9, 11 April 2012  
General Agreement on Trade in Services  
Article III:4 and/or IV:2  Contact enquiry points  S/ENQ/78/Rev.14, 25 October 2013  
Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti -Dumping Agreement)  
Article 16.4  Ad hoc  G/ADP/N/213, 12 April 2011  
Article 16.4  Semi-annual report  G/ADP/N/209/JAM, 6 April 2011  
Agreement on the Implementation of Article XVII of the GATT 1994 (State trading)  
Article XVII:4(a) and Paragraph 
1 of the Understanding  
on the Interpr etation of Article 
XVII Notification  G/STR/N/13 - 16/JAM, 17 August 2016  
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
Article 5.1, 5.2, 5.3  Import licensing 
procedures  G/LIC/N/2/JAM/3, 1 April 2016  
G/LIC/N/2/JAM/2, 4 October 2011  
Article 7.3  Replies to que stionnaire  G/LIC/N/3/JAM/5, 1 April 2016  
G/LIC/N/3/JAM/4, 7 October 2014  
                                                
12 WTO online information. Viewed at: https://www.wto.org/engli sh/thewto_e/countries_e/  
jamaica_e.htm  [12 January 2017].  
13 WTO document, WT/MIN(15)/18, 15 December 2015.  
14 Information on this case is available on the WTO website . EC — Regime for the Importation, Sale and 
Distribution of Banana s (DS27) . WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Legal provision  Description of 
requirements  WTO document (most recent or series) 
and date  
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Article 25.1 – Article XVI:1  New and full notification  G/SCM/N/284/JAM, G/SCM/N/290/JAM, 
14 January 2016  
G/SCM/N/253/JAM, G/SCM/N/ 260/JAM, 
1 November 2013  
G/SCM/N/220/JAM, G/SCM/N/226/JAM, 
19 September 2011  
Article 27.4 Part VIII: DCM  New and full notification  G/SCM/N/299/JAM, 23 August 2016  
G/SCM/N/284/JAM, G/SCM/N/290/JAM, 
14 January 2016  
G/SCM/N/253/JAM, G/SCM/N/260/JAM, 
1 Novemb er 2013  
G/SCM/N/243/JAM, 19 July 2012  
G/SCM/N/220/JAM, G/SCM/N/226/JAM, 
19 September 2011  
Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Article 7 Annex B  Emergency measures  G/SPS/N/JAM/13, 10 August 2010  
G/SPS/N/JAM/13/Add.1, 2 February 2011  
G/SPS/N/J AM/13/Add.2, 3 December 2012  
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade  
Article 2.9  Technical regulations  2017: G/TBT/N/JAM/55 -61 
2016: G/TBT/N/JAM/54  
2015: G/TBT/N/JAM/46 -53 
2014: G/TBT/N/JAM/39 -45 
2013: G/TBT/N/JAM/37 -38 
2012: G/TBT/N/JAM/28 -36 
2011: G/T BT/N/JAM/23 -27 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation  
WT/L/911  Category A commitments  WT/PCTF/N/JAM/1, 3 March 2015  
Source:  Jamaica's  notifications to the WTO.  
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  
2.3.2.1   CARICOM  
2.25.   Jamaica is a member of the Caribbean Community and Comm on Market (CARICOM) 
(Table  2.3). Trade policies defined in the context of CARICOM provide guidance to trade policies 
pursued by Jamaica with respect to economic integration, cooperation (aimed at creating 
economies of scale and sharing the costs of provisi on of public goods), and coordination of 
positions on trade negotiations.  
2.26.   The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), signed in the Bahamas in 2001, established the 
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This regional integration process aims at creating a  
single market and economy among CARICOM member States through the removal of barriers to 
the free movement of people, capital, goods and services, and the establishment of companies. 
Jamaica was one of the first member countries to implement the first com ponent of the CSME  – 
single  market  – in 2006. The second component, the "single economy", was scheduled for 2016, 
but has been deferred due mainly to pending administrative, fiscal and legal issues.  
2.27.   CARICOM members apply the Common External Tariff (CET) w hereby goods entering any 
member country are assessed with the same tariff rate. Exceptions to the CET are permitted for 
certain products of particular sensitivity to a CARICOM member (Section 3.1). Thus, a wide range 
of applied tariff rates continue to ex ist across member countries. The RTC generally prohibits the 
application of import licensing requirements on goods of Community origin, except where required 
for SPS, technical standards, monitoring or other similar purposes. With some exceptions, goods 
from a CARICOM member State enter Jamaica duty free.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 2.3 Jamaica's notified RTAs in force: main features, 2017  
RTAs  Main features  
CARICOM   
Type of agreement  Customs union and economic integration agreeme nt 
Date of signature (goods)  4 July 1973  
Entry into force (goods)  1 August 1973  
End of implementation period (goods)  14 October 1974  
Date of signature (services)  5 July 2001  
Entry into force (services)  4 July 2002  
End of implementation period (servic es) 19 February 2003  
Coverage (selected features)  Goods and services  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with other 
CARICOM members (2016)  10.5% of total imports; 8.1% of total exports  
WTO consideration status  Factual abstract distributed  
WTO document series  WT/REG155/1, 8 July 2003; S/C/N/229, 19 February 2003  
EU – CARIFORUM States EPA   
Type of agreement  Free trade agreement and economic integration agreement  
Date of signature  15 October 2008  
Entry into force  1 November 2008  
End of transition period  2033 
Coverage (selected features)  Goods and services  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with EU (2016)  9.8% of total imports; 17.8% of total exports  
WTO consideration status  Factual presentation not distributed  
WTO document series  WT/REG255/N/1/Rev.1, S/C/N/469/ Rev.1, 24 October 2008  
Source:  WTO Secretariat, based on information from the WTO RTA database. Viewed at: http://rtais.wto.org/  
UI/PublicSearchByMemb erResult.aspx?MemberCode=388&lang=1&redirect=1  [13 January 2017].  
2.28.   CARICOM has signed trade agreements with Venezuela (1992), Colombia (1994), Dominican 
Republic (1998), and Costa Rica (2004), and a trade and economic cooperation agreement with 
Cuba (2000)  (Table 2.4). Not all of them have been notified to the WTO. Jamaica implemented 
these agreements through the Customs Tariff Resolutions, or through other administrative actions. 
All agreements, except the one with Venezuela, were published in the official  gazette.  
Table 2.4 CARICOM bilateral RTAs  
RTAs  Main features  
CARICOM –Venezuela  
Agreement name  Trade and Investment Agreement  
Main features  Non-reciprocal preferential agreement, granting most CARICOM expo rts 
to Venezuela preferential or duty -free access.  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with 
Venezuela (2016)  1.3% of total imports; 0.2% of total exports  
CARICOM –Colombia  
Agreement name  Agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation  
Main features  Trade  liberalization and facilitation, as well as promotion and protection of 
investment. Reciprocal to the CARICOM More Developed Countries 
(MDCs)a. The Agreement also provides for the phasing out of non -tariff 
barriers.  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with 
Colom bia (2016)  3.8% of total imports; 0.1% of total exports  
CARICOM –Dominican Republic  
Agreement name  Free Trade Agreement  
Main features  Mutual granting of tariff concessions between CARICOM MDCsa and the 
Dominican Republic. The Agreement also deals with se rvices, investment, 
and government procurement.  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with  
the Dominican Republic (2016)  1.6% of total imports; 0.1% of total exports  
CARICOM –Cuba  
Agreement name  Trade and Economic Agreement  
Main features  Duty-free treatment on sp ecific goods agreed by both sides: specific 
treatment for a seasonal list of agricultural products; elimination of tariffs 
on specified products through four annual reductions. The Agreement also 
deals with taxation, trade promotion and facilitation, servi ces, tourism 
investment, and intellectual property rights.  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with 
Cuba (2016)  0.1% of total imports; 0.1% of total exports  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  RTAs  Main features  
CARICOM –Costa Rica  
Agreement name  Free Trade Agreement  
Main features  Reciprocal for CARICOM MDCsa. Duty -free or preferential access for a 
wide range of products.  
Jamaica's merchandise trade with 
Costa Rica (2016)  1.1% of total imports;0.3 % of total exports  
a CARICOM MDCs are: Barbados; Guyana; Jamaica; and Trinidad and Tobago.  
Source:  WTO document, WT/TP R/S/242/Rev.1. and information provided by the authorities.  
2.3.2.2   EU–CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement  
2.29.   The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and CARIFORUM 
(CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic) was signed in 2008, and was noti fied to the WTO in the 
same year.15 The EPA allows for immediate duty -free and quota -free market access for all goods 
originating in CARIFORUM States, except for rice and sugar which both had a phase -in period with 
a regional tariff quota at zero duty. On 1  January 2010, customs duties and quotas on rice 
originating from all CARIFORUM States were eliminated. In 2015, all duties and quotas on sugar 
were removed. CARIFORUM tariff elimination commitments cover 87% of EU exports (90.2% of 
tariff lines) and are to be implemented over a 25 -year period.  
2.30.   In addition to trade in goods, the EPA covers trade in services; investment; intellectual 
property; transparency in public procurement; competition; and development support. Sectors 
excluded are processing of nuclear  material; trade in arms; audio -visual services; national 
maritime cabotage; and air traffic rights. Annex IV F to the Agreement lists limitations to market 
access and national treatment for trade in services.  
2.31.   Jamaica is provisionally applying the EPA pend ing its ratification. The authorities stated that 
steps are to be taken to ratify the EPA in 2017. Jamaica commenced the phased reduction of 
tariffs under the EPA in 2011, and implemented the fourth phase of reductions in January 2017.  
2.3.2.3   Other arrangements  
2.32.   Jamaica benefits from two unilateral trade preference programmes: the Caribbean Basin 
Initiative (CBI), and CARIBCAN. The CBI is a unilateral arrangement established by the United 
States to facilitate economic development and export diversification in Carib bean economies. It 
was launched in 1983 as the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), and then expanded 
through the enactment of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) in 2000, and 
through relevant provisions in the Trade Act of 2002. CB I beneficiary economies receive duty -free 
access for most of their originating goods in the US market.  
2.33.   In 2011, 51.7% of Jamaica's exports were destined for the United States; this proportion 
changed to 41.5% in 2016. Jamaica's top exports to the US market  were: petroleum oils and oils 
obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude), aluminium ores and concentrates, and 
aluminium oxides; in 2016, they accounted for 34.6%, 18.5%, and 8% of total merchandise 
exports, respectively.16 
2.34.   Under CARIBCAN, establ ished in 1986, Canada grants unilateral duty -free market access for 
goods and services from Caribbean Commonwealth partners. In 2011, 16.2% of Jamaica's exports 
were destined for Canada; this proportion changed to 12.1% in 2016. Jamaica's top export to the  
Canadian market was aluminium oxides, accounting for 81% of total merchandise exports in 2016. 
This was followed by undenatured ethyl alcohol, accounting for 3.8% of total merchandise exports.  
2.35.   Waivers granted by the WTO for the CBTPA and CARIBCAN will exp ire in 2019 and 2023, 
respectively.  
2.36.   Jamaica is also a beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes of 
Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Norway, the Russian Federation, and Switzerland.  
                                                
15 WTO document s WT/REG255/N/1/Rev.1 and  S/C/N/469/Rev.1, 24 October 200 8. 
16 Calculated by WTO Secretariat, based on COMTRADE data.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  2.4  Investment Regime  
2.4.1   Institutional and leg al framework for business  
2.37.   JAMPRO is the investment promotion agency in Jamaica under the Ministry of Economic 
Growth and Job Creation, promoting business opportunities in export and investment. It provides 
advice to the Government in matters pertaining to improving business environment and 
developing new industries. JAMPRO's sector teams promote investment in target sectors such as 
business process outsourcing, tourism, agri -business, manufacturing, mining, and logistics. 
JAMPRO facilitates investment by he lping firms access the necessary licences, permits, and 
incentives, and by providing after -care services to investment projects.  
2.38.   JAMPRO is seeking Cabinet approval for the development of a National Investment Policy 
(NIP) to provide a comprehensive framew ork to attract and facilitate investment in Jamaica.  
2.39.   The CARICOM Secretariat drafted a CARICOM Investment Code, which is subject to further 
review in the member States. The Code is intended to be used as a legally binding instrument that 
elaborates the tr eatment of intra -regional investors.   
2.4.2   Incentives  
2.40.   The Government has been making efforts to simplify and streamline its incentive 
programmes for businesses. In 2014, the Omnibus Incentives Legislation, comprising four pieces 
of legislation (Table 2.5), was  introduced to create a transparent and automatic fiscal incentive s 
framework. The incentives comprise  various levels of tax relief, including  in respect of  customs 
tariffs, additional stamp duties, and corporate income tax.  
Table 2.5 Omnibus Incentives  
Legislation  Targeted companies  Tax reductions  Details  
Fiscal Incentives 
(Miscellaneous 
Provisions) Act  Unregulated 
companiesa  Corporate income tax  - An Employment Tax Credit (ETC)  at a 
maximum value of 30%;  
- a capital allowance applicable to a 
broadened definition of industrial 
buildings  
Income Tax 
Relief (Large -
Scale Projects 
and Pioneer 
Industries) Act  Large -scale projects 
and/or pioneering 
projects  Corporate income tax  
(lowered from 25% 
to 17.5%)  
 Improved  and more attractive rate for 
the Employment Tax Credit (ETC)  
Customs Tariff 
(Revision) 
(Amendment) 
Resolution 2013  Productive sectors  Import tariff  0% import tariff on capital equipment 
and raw materials;  
manufacturing, tourism and creative 
industries ma y benefit from duty -free 
importation of industry -related 
consumer goods  
Stamp Duty 
(Amendments of 
Schedule) Order, 
2013 Manufacturing sector  Stamp duty  Exemption from additional stamp duty 
on raw materials and non -consumer 
goods  
a An unregulated company is one which is not regulated by BOJ, the Financial Services Commission, 
the Office of Utilities Regulators, or the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, and is subject to a 
lower corporate income tax rate of 25%. The tax rate can be made effectively  lower with the 
application of the Employment Tax Credit (ETC), which could reduce it to as low as 17.5%. The 
corporate income tax rate for regulated companies is 33.3%.  
Source:  JAMPRO online information . Viewed at: http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/  
investment/incentives  [16 January 2017].  
2.41.   There are a number of other incentives, such as:  
a. Under the Special Economic Zone Act , entities in this regime benefit from a range of tax 
concessions  including a maximum headline corporate income tax rate of 12.5% 
(Table  2.6 and Section 3.2.4) ; the Act repealed and replaced the Free Zone Act and 
came into force in 2016.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  b. Under the Urban Renewal Act, companies undertaking development within the 
designated special development areas benefit from tax -free urban renewal bonds, a 
33.3% investment tax credit, double tax -free rental income, and exemption from 
transfer tax and stamp duties on the improved property (i.e. properties with improved 
value bec ause of additional construction or façade improvement work).  
c. Under the Income Tax Act (Junior Stock Exchange – Section 48B), as of 1 January 2014, 
companies listed on the junior stock exchange pay no income tax for the first five years, 
and 50% of the tax able amount in the following five years.  
d. Under the Bauxite and Alumina Industries (Encouragement) Act, recognized bauxite and 
alumina producers are permitted to import all productive inputs free of import tariffs, 
General Consumption Tax (GCT), and other port-related taxes and charges except taxes 
due and payable.  
e. Under the Petroleum Act and Regulation s, a registered oil refinery may import  products 
duty free for the construction and operation of the refinery and for the manufacturing of 
petroleum. The man ufacturer is exempt from paying income tax, or tax on dividends 
paid to shareholders, for a period of up to seven years, after which it has six years to 
carry forward net losses incurred during that period.  
Table 2.6 Comparison of incentives  
 Fiscal Incentives 
Act (FIA)  SEZa Act 
Corporate income tax:    
Corporate income tax concessions   √ (headline tax of 12.5%)  
Employment tax credit (ETC)  √ b √ b 
Productive tax credit (PTC)   √ c 
Withholding tax concessio n   √ d 
Border taxes:    
Duty-free importation of capital equipment and machinery  √ √ 
Duty-free importation of industry -related consumer 
goods, including raw materials  √e √ 
Duty-free importation of building materials   √ 
Exemption from stamp duty/additi onal stamp 
duty/environmental levy  √f √ 
Exemption from the customs administration fee (CAF)  √g √ 
Indirect taxes:    
GCT exemption/deferment  √h √ 
Property tax exemption   √i 
Stamp duty and transfer tax   √j 
Capital allowance:    
Capital allowance scheme  √ √ 
Loss carry -forwards  √k  
Developers' tax credit   √l 
a Goods produced within SEZs are not guaranteed duty -free access to CARICOM countries.  
b A non -refundable ETC is applicable to trading income, capped at 30% of income tax chargeable on 
profits/incom e from a trade, profession, or vocation.  
c PTC is for expenditure on specified activities (such as R&D, training, technology transfer, and 
innovation -based activities), to be capped at a maximum of 10% of the tax chargeable on 
profits/income from a trade,  profession, or vocation. Applied jointly with the ETC, the PTC may 
reduce the corporate income tax to as low as 7.25%.  
d Withholding tax on dividends is at a rate of 0% on distributions by way of dividends on profits from 
the conduct of a trade, professio n or vocation within an SEZ by an approved SEZ occupant.  
e Productive input relief for tourism, manufacturing and creative industries.  
f Only companies benefiting from the product input relief are exempted from the additional stamp 
duty. 
g A 50% discount o n CAF for approved manufacturers.  
h GCT deferment programme for manufacturers.  
i Applicable only to lands registered to the SEZ Authority. The transfer tax and stamp duty are also 
only exempted between and among SEZ developers.  
j The s ame rules apply in the SEZ as those within the domestic market.  
k Capped at 50% of chargeable income for that year (before deduction of tax losses carried forward).  
l Credit on capital expenditures directly incurred in the carrying out of SEZ -related construction or 
improve ment that may be set off against other income tax liabilities of the SEZ developer from any 
other source but capped at 50% of that liability in any one year of assessment.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Source:  JAMPRO online information, Comparison chart of select fiscal incentives . Viewed at: 
http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/sites/default/files/Fiscal%20Incentive%20Comparison%20Ch
art_160115_Final.pdf  [16 January 2017] ; and information provided by the authorities.  
2.42.   The authorities estimated that tax revenue foregone increased from J$9.7 billion in 2012 to 
J$12.2 billion in 2013, and fell to J$11.2 billion in 2014 and J$11.3 billion in 2015.17  
2.4.3   Foreign inves tment  
2.43.   Currently there is no specific legislation on foreign investment in Jamaica. The Government 
encourages foreign investment as a source of development, and has no policies or regulations 
reserving certain sectors exclusively for Jamaicans. The authorit ies stated that Jamaica applies the 
principle of national treatment to foreign investors. Incentives are accessible to both local and 
foreign firms, and the privatization programme is open to participation by foreign investors. The 
Companies Act, which ent ered into force in 2006, allows foreign companies to hold land without 
registering in Jamaica.  
2.44.   FDI performance in Jamaica has traditionally lagged behind that of other developing 
countries,18 although, in 2015, Jamaica had the highest increase in investment  inflows in the 
region.19 According to UNCTAD, the rise of inflows by 34% was associated with activities in the 
hotel sector, as well as FDI in infrastructure and business process outsourcing. Jamaica also 
attracted 40% of all announced greenfield investmen t made in small island developing States 
(SIDS).  
2.45.   Jamaica is a party to 12 double taxation treaties ( with Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, 
Israel, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and CARICOM 
States). It also signed a DTA w ith Mexico in May 2016; this Agreement has not yet entered into 
force. It has 17 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with international partners (Table 2.7).  
Table 2.7 Bilateral investment treaties  
BIT partner  Status  Date of signature  Date of entry into force  
Argentina  In force  08/02/1994  01/12/1995  
China  In force  26/10/1994  01/04/1996  
Cuba  Signed (not in force)  31/05/1997    
Egypt  Signed (not in force)  10/02/1999    
France  In force  25/01/1993  15/09/1994  
Germany  In force  24/09/1992  29/05/1996  
Indonesia  Signed (not in force)  10/02/1999    
Italy  In force  29/09/1993  09/11/1995  
Republic of Korea  In force  10/06/2003  05/11/2007  
Kuwait  Signed (not in force)  01/04/2013    
Netherlands  In force  18/04/1991  01/08/1992  
Nigeria  Signed (not in force)  05/08/2002    
Spain  In force  13/03/2002  25/11/2002  
Switzerland  In force  11/12/1990  21/11/1991  
United Kingdom  In force  20/01/1987  14/05/1987  
United States  In force  04/02/1994  07/03/1997  
Zimbabwe  Signed (not in force)  10/02/1999    
Source:  Internationa l Investment Agreements Navigator (UNCTAD, 2017).  
2.46.   Jamaica has been a signatory to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment 
Disputes (ICSID) since 1965. Commercial disputes that are not resolved in the local courts may be 
brought to arbitration  under ICSID, with prior consent provided through a BIT or an investment 
contract. The awards are then enforceable by the Jamaican courts. Judgements of foreign courts 
are accepted and enforced if there is a reciprocal enforcement of judgement treaty with the 
                                                
17 The authorities indicated that these revenue forgone estimates included revenue forgone from other 
taxes (not only trade taxes).  
18 UNCTA D (2015), Trade Policy Framework: Jamaica . Viewed at: http://unctad.org/en/  
PublicationsLibrary/ditctncd2013d9_en.pdf  [11 January 2017].  
19 UNCTAD (2016), World Investment Repor t 2016 . Viewed at: http://unctad.org/en/  
PublicationsLibrary/wir2016_en.pdf  [16 January 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  relevant foreign nation.20 Jamaica also has legislation allowing for enforcement of foreign arbitral 
awards.  
2.4.4   Improvements in  the business environment  
2.47.   According to a study conducted by the Inter -American Development Bank (IDB), Jamaica's 
business climat e used to be weak in the areas of taxation, accessing electricity, resolving legal 
disputes, and obtaining construction permits. Insufficient trade facilitation and weak logistics also 
hindered exports and diversification of the economy.21 The private secto r in Jamaica employed 
almost 90% of the total work force, of which about 82% works in micro, small and medium -sized 
enterprises (MSMEs). Although Jamaica has a high level of early -stage entrepreneurial activity, it 
also has a high rate of business disconti nuation. While early -stage entrepreneurship provides 
dynamism in an economy, established businesses are needed to provide stability and employment. 
Against this background, the Government launche d its MSME and Entrepreneurship Policy in 2013 
to: identify a nd implement strategies that increase the capacity of MSMEs through greater access 
to business development support ; increase access to MSME -specific financing ; improve the 
business environment ; and foster innovation and standards.  
2.48.   Jamaica has been improvin g its business environment by simplifying its regulations and 
procedures, and creating a more business -friendly climate. The medium -term socio-economic 
policy framework  (MTF) 2015-2018 intends to address: delays and problems in licensing and 
approval proce sses for construction projects, as well as in the acquisition, titling and transfer of 
land, and further simplification of tax administration processes. The Government also intends to 
facilitate private sector -led economic projects in areas of comparative advantage through public-
private partnerships (PPPs) given the current fiscal constraints.  
2.49.   The National Competitiveness Council (NCC), chaired by the Minister of Economic Growth 
and Job Creation, has developed an NCC Doing Business Reform Agenda. The Agend a focuses on 
improving the ranking of 10 indicators in the Doing Business Report, through initiatives such as 
streamlining development approvals, increasing access to capital, and improving trading across 
borders.22 
2.50.   Reforms implemented during the review per iod also include: the expansion of Jamaicans' 
ability to pay taxes online; and the passing of the Insolvency Act.23 Other efforts include those to 
improve transparency, and set up the large taxpayer office (LTO) to cater exclusively to large 
companies in re sponse to their demand for tax information and speedier turnaround on 
transactions.  
2.51.   The World Bank Doing Business indicators reflected progress that has been made, although 
several areas remain weak. In 2017, Jamaica was ranked 67th in the World Bank's Doi ng Business 
Report for ease of doing business, among 190 countries.24 This ranking is better than the regional 
average for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is particularly successful in starting a business 
(12th), getting credit (16th), and resolving ins olvency (38th). It ranks 63rd in protecting minority 
investors, and 75th in dealing with construction permits. On the other hand, trading across borders 
(131st), registering property (123rd), enforcing contracts (117th), paying taxes (116th), and getting 
electricity (101st) are major areas requiring improvement.  
                                                
20 United States Trade Representative ( USTR) (2013), Tenth Report to Congress on the oper ation of the 
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act . V iewed at: https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/  
CBERA%20Report%20Final.pdf  [8 November 2016].  
21 IDB (2016), IDBG Country S trategy with Jamaica 2016 -2021, draft. Viewed at: 
http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=40713849  [8 November 2016].  
22 UNCTAD (2015), Trade Policy Framework: Jamaica . Viewed at: http://unctad.org/en/  
PublicationsLibrary/ditctncd2013d9_en.pdf  [11 January 2017].  
23 JAMPRO Annual Report 2015 -16. Viewed at: http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/sites/  
default/files/annual_reports/AnnualReport2015_16_JAMPRO_Electronic.pdf  [16 January 2017].  
24 World Bank Doing Busi ness rank. Viewed at: http://www.doingbusiness.org/  
data/exploreeconomies/jamaica  [16 January 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  2.52.   The Global Competitiveness Index ranked Jamaica 75th out of 138 economies in 2016 -17, up 
from 86th in 2015 -16 and 97th in 2012 -13 out of 144 economies.25 The most problematic factors 
for doing busine ss include: inefficient government bureaucracy, crime and theft, and tax rates. 
Jamaica's ranking in the Global Innovation Index was 96th among 141 countries in 2015 and 89th 
among 128 countries in 2016.26 Its rankings in the areas of infrastructure, knowle dge and 
technology outputs, and creative outputs are particularly lagging behind.  
 
                                                
25 World Economic Forum (2017), The Global Competitiveness Report 2016 -17. Viewe d at: 
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2016 -2017/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2016 -
2017_FINAL.pdf  [24 May 2017].  
26 Global Innovation Index 2015 – Jamaica . Viewed at:  https://www.globalinnovationindex.org/gii -2016-
report#  [16 January 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
3.1.  The main legal instruments of Jamaica's customs  regime include the Customs Act, Customs 
Regulations 1955 and the Customs Tariff. According to the authorities, a new Customs Act is to be 
submitted to Parliament by August 2017. The main objectives of the new Act are to: facilitate the 
efficient processin g of customs -related transactions; encourage voluntary compliance with customs 
laws and procedures; effectively support the implementation of ASYCUDA World , a risk -based 
inspection system to clear customs ; improve and increase the collection of customs dut ies; 
strengthen the enforcement powers of the Commissioner of Customs; strengthen the ability of the 
Jamaica Customs Agency  (JCA) to effectively protect Jamaica' s borders; and  increase the ease 
with which the legislation is being read and understood . 
3.2.  The a uthorities anticipate that the new Customs Act will also facilitate the observance and 
implementation of customs -related international best practices by the JCA , including those from 
the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Convention on the  Simplification and 
Harmonization of Customs Procedures (the Revised Kyoto Convention), and the WTO's Trade 
Facilitation Agreement  (TFA) . On 19 January 2016, Jamaica ratified the TFA. 
3.3.  The JCA, under the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, became an  executive agency 
on 2 April 2013. The JCA is currently going through a number of organizational changes in 
accordance with its proposed long -term modernization plan with the aim of transitioning into a 
semi-autonomous customs administration  agency, loweri ng costs, enhancing efficiency of services 
delivery, and improving decision -making and management practices.  
3.4.  The documents required for the importation of goods include a supplier invoice, a certificate 
of origin  (when preferential access is sought) , a bill of lading, an airway bill and other shipping 
documents, a declaration of value, and an import license and/or permit, if necessary (certain 
products may also require a health and/or phytosanitary certification). When goods arrive in 
Jamaica, the relevant documents are submitted to the JCA. Duties must be paid before the goods 
may be cleared into the country , although there are measures in place to allow the provisional 
clearance of goods . All importers and exporters must provide a Taxpayer Registration Num ber 
(TRN), and in the case of commercial importation a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) is required.  
3.5.  For importations (not including motor vehicles) of US$5 ,000 (c.i.f.) or less , the importer can 
proceed to the port and effect clearance without a licensed  customs broker , using the declaration 
IMS4.  Importations of over US$5 ,000 require a customs broker (who must be a Jamaican resident)  
and must be done on a commercial declaration IM4. Under the Authorized Economic Operator 
(AEO) system, importers without a record of customs violations are allowed to import without 
inspection, although they may undergo random examination.  The JCA officially launched its e -
Payment Facility in 2001.  
3.6.  Risk assessment is based on four channels: the red channel for high risk goods which need to 
be examined (47% of imports in 2016 ); the yellow channel for medium risk goods, which require 
additional documentation and on which a decision is made whether to release or examine the 
goods (23% of imports in 2016); and the blue and green ch annel s, for goods deemed risk -free and 
released immediately without any checks (30% of imports in 2016). According to the authorities, 
the application of advance risk assessment improved the average clearance of cargo within 24 
hours to 55 -57% in 2016 ( up from 22% in 2014 ). 
3.7.  Over the last few years , Jamaica has taken measures to reduce the time needed to import , 
including by allowing customs entries to be lodged at night.  Despite this, a ccording to the latest 
World Bank figures, in 2016, Jamaica was 131st in the ranking of 19 0 economies on the ease of 
trading across borders (compared with 104th out of 183 economies  in 2011) . Regarding border 
compliance, i t takes 80 hours  and US$ 906 to import to Jamaica, more than the Latin America and WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Caribbean average. Howev er, regarding documentary compliance, Jamaica ranks better than the 
Latin America and Caribbean average (Table 3.1).1 
Table 3.1 Import time and cost, 2017  
Indicator  Jamaica  LA & Caribbean  
Time to import: bord er compliance (hours)  80 65 
Cost to import: border compliance (US$)  906 685 
Time to import: documentary compliance (hours)  72 83 
Cost to import: documentary compliance (US$)  90 120 
Source:  World Bank  online information. Viewed at: www.doingbusiness.org /data/exploreeconomies/jamaica  
3.8.  While the JCA does not carry out mandatory pre -shipment inspections, the Contraband 
Enforcement Team may conduct examinations for imports  on a risk based/intelligence driven 
basis.  
3.9.  Under Section 19 of the Customs Act, the pri mary basis of determining the value for duty of 
imported goods is the transaction value . According to the authorities, some 80% of declarations 
are valued using  this method . If it cannot be used, five other methods apply in sequential order: 
(i) the transaction value of identical goods; (ii) the transaction value of similar goods; (iii) the 
deductive value method; (iv) the computed value method; and (v) the fall-back method. The order 
of application of methods (iv) and (v) can be reversed only at the request of the importer with the 
consent of the Customs Commissioner.  
3.10.   Importers have the right to request a review from the Valuation Branch of the JCA before 
writing  to the Commissioner requesting a formal appeal. In the case of disputes over the duty 
demanded, the importer /consignee /exporter /or his agent, shall deposit the duty demanded . In the 
case of dispute , the importer /consignee /exporter /or his agent, after havi ng first deposited the duty 
in accordance with the statement above, may, within three  months of making such deposit, appeal 
in writing to the Commissioner to review and revise the assessment of the duty on the goods. On 
receipt of a reply from  the Commissi oner concerning  the objection, if the importer is still 
dissatisfied he/she may , within 30 days of receiving such notice, appeal to the Revenue Appeals 
Division .2 An objector who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Revenue Appeals D ivision  may 
appeal to the Revenue Court within 30 days of the date of receiving that decision or within such 
longer period of time as may be permitted by , or pursuant to , rules of court. In 2016, there were 
14 internal reviews, of which 7 were upheld, 6 produced a reverse of  the assessment, and 1  was 
withdrawn ; none exercised their right of further appeal to the Revenue  Appeals Division of the 
JCA.3 
3.11.   According to Customs, it is difficult to estimate the current volume of false/under -invoicing 
due, inter alia , to language barri ers and perceived supplier/importer collusion. Valuation problems, 
howeve r, still appear to be serious. Customs currently lacks the mechanism to measure the 
amount of revenue lost due to under -invoicing. However , through detection of under -invoicing , 
Custo ms was able to recuperate  additional duties and revenue amounting to J$ 715 million in 2016 
and J$1.02 billion for the period April 2016 -February 2017 . A valuation database – the Valuation 
Intelligence Risk Management System (VIRMS) - is in place.  
3.1.2   Rules of origin  
3.12.   Jamaica notified the WTO that it does not maintain any non -preferential rules of origin , and 
has not made any such judicial decisions or administrative rulings of general application.4 It has 
not notified any new rules of origin during the review pe riod. 
3.13.   Preferential rules of origin apply to imports from other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 
countries and countries with which Jamaica has concluded bilateral preferential agreements, as 
part of CARICOM, as well as under the CARIFORUM -EU Economic Partners hip Agreement (EPA) 
                                                
1 World Bank online information. Viewed at:  www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/jamaica  
2 Formerly Taxpayer Appeals Department.  
3 An Internal Review Committee is in place to assess the justification for valuation decisions. Senior 
officials  from outside the valuation unit are placed on the Committee to ensure transparency . 
4 WTO document G/RO/N/4, 7 August 1995.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  (Section 2. 3.2.2 ). Goods are treated as being of CARICOM origin if they have been wholly 
produced within the Common Market, or they have been produced within the Common Market 
wholly or partly from materials imported from third countrie s, provided substantial transformation 
has taken place within the Common Market  or in accordance with the conditions as outlined in the 
'List' attached to the Schedule in the Treaty . Substantial transformation requires that goods be 
classified under a diff erent tariff heading than the materials utilized , or meet the product -specific 
rules set out in the List in Schedule 1 of the Rates, Terms and Conditions ( RTC) document  which 
includes ad valorem  and technical requirement criteria for substantial transforma tion. For most 
agricultural products, origin is conferred only if the good is wholly produced within CARICOM or is 
produced using regional materials. The EPA rules of origin are also significantly more flexible than 
the Cotonou Agreement in the areas of te xtiles and clothing , and offer improvements in agriculture 
and fisheries.5 
3.1.3   Tariffs  
3.14.   Tariffs and other duties and charges remain Jamaica's main trade policy instrument. A 
substantial share of the Government's central revenue is generated from taxes and charg es on 
imports. International trade taxes as a percentage of total tax revenues increased from 33 .7% in 
2013/14 to an estimated 40.4 % in 2016/17 (compared with 27% to 28% in 2005 -10): 
increasingly, the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on imports accounts for m ost of the revenue, 
followed by the Special Consumption Tax (SCT). Tariffs represent 7.5% of total taxation revenue  
(Table 3.2).  The Environmental Protection Levy (EPL) on all manufactured goods (locally -produced 
and imported) entered into force on 1 June 2015 (Section 3.1.5) .6 
Table 3.2 International trade taxes as a share of total tax revenue, 2013/14 -2016/17  
(per cent)  
Type  2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17  
Customs duty  8.0 7.4 7.5 7.5 
GCT (imports)  14.9 15.6 16.0 17.5 
SCT (imports)  8.4 7.4 8.9 10.7 
Stamp duty and travel tax  2.4 3.0 3.1 4.1 
Environmental levy  n.a. n.a. 0.6 0.6 
Total  33.7 33.4 36.1 40.4 
n.a. Not applicable . 
Source:  WTO Secretariat, based on the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service b udget figures.  
3.15.   Tariffs, like other taxes, can be modified  only by the House of Representatives. Section 5(1) 
of the Customs Act gives the House of Representatives the legal authority to impose import or 
export duties and to revoke, reduce, increase or alte r these duties. Taxes may be increased or 
reduced via provisional orders signed by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service but these 
are temporary and would have to be brought into law subsequent to approval in the House of 
Representatives.  
3.16.  Jamaica' s discretionary waivers on duties and taxes ( e.g. GCT, SCT)  have been reduced over 
the last few years in order to limit distortions  and help combat the fiscal deficit (Table 3.3).7 
According to the IMF, a rules -based and more transparent framework is now i n place.8  
                                                
5 There is a general clause for a review of these rules of origin with a view to further simplifying them in 
the light of CARIFORUM  development needs. Under Cotonou, garments had to undergo double transformation 
(i.e. from yarn to cloth and from cloth to garments) to receive  preferential access. The EPA allows single -step 
transformation , meaning CARIFORUM countries may import cloth fr om world suppliers to manufacture 
garments and export them duty  free to Europe.  
6 Provisional Collection Tax (Environmental Protection Levy) Order 2015. The EPL was introduced in FY 
2007/08 when it applied only to imports.  
7 It is not possible to compare w aivers before and after 2014. Formal legislation to deal with tax breaks 
given to charities , for example , was brought into law post -2014 and dealt with under the Charities Act. Before, 
these tax breaks would have been administered using the "waiver " mechan ism. Other tax breaks which were 
previously coded as "ministerial waivers " are now under their own Act recorded with a particular code. Current 
data on waivers include tax concessions on special projects and arguably are not purely discretionary. After 
2014, discretionary waivers are estimated at J$120 million per calendar year.  
8 IMF Country Report No. 16/181.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 3.3 Tax revenue collected, waivers, and incentives, 2011/12 -2015/16  
(J$ billion)  
 2011 -12 2012 -13 2013 -14 2014 -15 2015 -16 
Total revenuea 98,830  107,428  115,976  129,602  147,302  
Import duty  20,769 24,414  25,559  26,558  29,521  
Waiversb 5,093  3,687  2,962  4,700  2,381  
Waivers' share 
of revenue (%)c 5.2 3.4 2.6 3.6 1.6 
Incentivesd 3,825  3,813  5,934  4,509  2,767  
a Revenue data are for fiscal years FY 2011/12 – 2015/16 . 
b Data on discretionary waive rs of customs duty are based on calendar years 2011 -15. Data on 
waivers include discretionary waivers approved by the Minister of Finance as well as 
waivers/exemptions/tax concessions on goods being used, for example, for charitable purposes to 
facilitate imports under trade agreements.  
c This share refers to total trade tax revenues which includes import duties and other border taxes.  
d Data on incentives are for calendar year  2011-15 and in respect to customs duty only. Data covers 
those incentives given under the following incentives regimes: hotels, bauxite and alumina, motion 
pictures, petroleum, export industries encouragement, free zones, industrial, and charities . 
Source:  Data provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.1.3.1   Applied tariffs  
3.17.   Jamaica grants at le ast MFN treatment to all trading partners. It has been applying the 
fourth (and most recent) phase of CARICOM's CET since January 1999. The latest version of the 
CET is based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) 20 12. The 
exceptio ns to the CET in respect of Jamaica's obligation s are included in Lists A and C, which refer 
to items on which suspension of the CET for an indefinite period has been granted under Article 32 
of the Common Market Annex, and items on which a minimum CET rat e has been agreed but 
where members States have the freedom to apply higher rates.  
3.18.   Jamaica's schedule comprises 7,159 lines (up from 6,856 lines in 2010) at the 10-digit level. 
The tariff has 11 tiers, with rates of zero, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75,  and 100%  (the same 
as in 2010) . All tariffs are ad valorem , levied on the c.i.f. value of the import. About half of all 
tariff lines are duty free ( down from 57.9% at the time of the previous Review) while a 20% tariff 
rate is applied to 20.1% of t otal li nes (Chart 3.1). 
Chart 3.1 Frequency distribution of MFN tariff rates, 2017  
(49.9%)
(8.3%)
(4.1%)(6.0%)(20.1%)
(0.5%) (0.8%)(9.8%)
(0.2%) (0.2%) (0.2%)
0102030405060708090100
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,000
Duty free 5 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 75 100Chart 3.1
Frequency distribution of MFN tariff rates, 2016
Number of tariff lines Per cent
Cumulative per cent
Number of lines (% of total)
Source:   WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities of Jamaica.
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the Jamaican authorities.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
- 36 - 
 
  3.19.   Some 9.8% of lines bear rates of 40%, and  only 0. 6% of lines have a tariff greater than 
40%. Items subject to a duty rate of 100% (equal to the bound rate) comprise 11 lines of meat 
and edible meat offal, and edible vegetables. The 75% rate is applied to 12 lines of d airy products , 
and the 50% ra te is applied to 1 4 lines of dairy products and arms and ammunitions.  
3.20.   The simple average applied MFN tariff rose from 9.4% in 2010 to 10.4% in 2017 (Table 
3.4). According to the authorities, this was mainly due to increases of between 5 and 10 
percentage p oints on some List C items of the CET in 2012. Tariff rates range from 0% to 100% 
for agricultural products (WTO definition), and from 0% to 50% for non -agricultural products. On 
average, tariff protection for agricultural products remains substantially hi gher than for non -
agricultural products, at 20.8% and 7.9%, respectively. Product groups with relatively high 
average tariffs include animals and animal products; dairy products; fruits, vegetables and plants; 
sugar and confectionary; and beverages, spirit s and tobacco (Table 3.4).  
Table 3.4 Structure of the tariff schedule in Jamaica, 2010 and 2017  
(per cent)  
          2010      2017  
1. Total number of tariff lines  6,856  7,159  
2. Non-ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
3. Non-ad valorem  with no AVEs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
4. Lines subject to tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
5. Duty free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  57.9 49.9 
6. Dutiable lines tariff average rate  (%) 22.4 20.7 
7. Simple average tariff (%)  9.4 10.4 
8.    WTO agriculture  19.0 20.8 
9.    WTO non -agriculture (incl. petroleum)  7.3 7.9 
10.    Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (ISIC 1)  21.8 22.8 
11.    Mining and quarrying (ISIC 2)  2.6 2.2 
12.    Manufacturing (ISIC 3)  8.6 9.4 
13.    First stage of processing  17.1 18.6 
14.    Semi-processed products  1.9 2.6 
15.    Fully processed products  11.2 12.0 
16. Domestic tariff "peaks" (% of all tariff lines) a 10.4 10.3 
17. International tariff  "peaks" (% of all tariff lines) b 29.1 31.7 
18. Overall standard deviation  n.a. 13.7 
19. Nuisance applied rates (% of tariff lines) c 0.0 0.0 
20. Bound tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  100.0  100.0  
n.a. Not available.  
a Domestic tariff peaks are de fined as those exceeding three times the overall average applied rate.  
b International tariff peaks are defined as those exceeding 15%.  
c Nuisance rates are greater than 0% but inferior or equal to 2%.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data pr ovided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.21.   All imports entering Jamaica are subject to a basic stamp duty (Section 3.1.5), while an 
additional stamp duty is payable on certain items (mostly agricultural products). When additional 
stamp duties, levied on the c.i.f . value, are taken into account9, the overall average border 
protection increases from 10.4% to 12.6% (Table 3.5).10 While the average for non -agricultural 
products rises from 7.9% to 8%, for agricultural products (WTO definition) it jumps from 20.8% to 
32.3%. The highest stamp duties are: 90% (5 lines) for certain vegetables and oil seeds; 86% (18 
lines) for edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers; 80% (12 lines) for meat and edible 
vegetables; 77.1% (2 lines) for meat; and 70% (24 lines) for cereals , products of the milling 
industry, grains and residues and waste from the food industry.  
3.22.   Jamaica does not use seasonal tariffs or tariff quotas.  
                                                
9 Secretariat calculations are based on 382 tariff lines subject to additional stamp duties. Additional 
stamp duties are distributed into 23 tiers a nd 2 specific tariffs. The 23 ad valorem  rates range from 15% to 
90%, while 12 lines have two specific duties (US$0.60 and US$1 per litre on certain beverages, spirits and 
vinegar). Regarding these 12 lines, it was not possible to estimate the impact of th e additional stamp duty 
because of a lack of data on the corresponding AVEs; only the ad valorem  MFN tariff was included.  
10 In Jamaica's previous TPR, the 2010 simple average applied MFN tariff increased from 9.4% to 11.5% 
when additional stamp duties were  included. WTO (2010), Trade Policy Review of Jamaica , Geneva.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 3.5 Summary analysis of Jamaica's MFN tariff , 2017  
 MFN MFN 
incl. 
stamp 
duty Final 
bound 
averagea
 
(%)  Description  No. of 
lines  Average  
(%) Range  
(%) Coefficient 
of 
variation  
Total  7,159  10.4 0 - 100 1.3 12.6 50.3 
HS 01 -24 1,599  23.4 0 - 100 0.8 33.3 90.5 
HS 25 -97 5,560  6.7 0 - 50 1.3 6.7 43.0 
       
By WTO category        
WTO Agriculture  1,374  20.8 0 - 100 0.9 32.3 97.3 
 - Animals and products thereof  201 27.2 0 - 100 0.8 41.4 100.0  
 - Dairy products  48 34.8 0 - 75 0.8 37.3 100.0  
 - Fruit, vegetables and plants  416 24.2 0 - 100 0.8 37.8 99.5 
 - Coffee and tea  30 16.8 0 - 40 0.8 16.8 100.0  
 - Cereals and preparations  170 13.2 0 - 40 0.9 23.2 100.0  
 - Oil seeds, fats and oils and products  129 12.7 0 - 40 1.4 24.3 99.4 
 - Sugars and confectionary  26 24.8 0 - 40 0.7 29.3 100.0  
 - Beverages, spirits a nd tobacco  171 30.0 0 - 40 0.4 51.7 100.0  
 - Cotton  6 0.0 0 - 0 .. 0.0 100.0  
 - Other agricultural products  177 7.1 0 - 40 1.9 7.9 86.3 
WTO Non -agriculture (incl. petroleum)  5,785  7.9 0 - 50 1.4 8.0 42.4 
 - WTO Non -agriculture (excl. petr ol.) 5,745  7.9 0 - 50 1.4 8.0 42.4 
 - - Fish and fishery products  303 29.6 0 - 40 0.5 29.6 50.8 
 - - Minerals and metals  1,165  4.9 0 - 40 1.5 5.1 46.4 
 - - Chemicals and photographic supplies  1,073  4.2 0 - 40 1.8 4.2 25.5 
 - - Wood, pulp, paper and furniture  340 8.6 0 - 20 1.0 8.6 48.8 
 - - Textiles  629 3.7 0 - 30 2.0 3.7 49.5 
 - - Clothing  281 19.8 0 - 20 0.1 19.8 50.0 
 - - Leather, rubber, footwear , etc. 182 8.0 0 - 40 1.2 8.0 40.7 
 - - Non-electric machinery  604 2.7 0 - 25 2.4 2.7 38.4 
 - - Electric machinery  270 8.0 0 - 25 1.2 8.0 46.9 
 - - Transport equipment  394 10.9 0 - 30 0.9 10.9 47.3 
 - - Non-agriculture articles  504 11.8 0 - 50 0.9 11.8 50.0 
 - Petroleum  40 8.5 0 - 30 1.0 8.5 50.0 
       
By ISIC sectorb       
Agriculture and fisheries  613 22.8 0 - 100 0.9 30.7 83.4 
Mining  108 2.2 0 - 20 2.5 2.2 47.6 
Manufacturing  6,437  9.4 0 - 100 1.3 11.1 48.3 
       
By HS section        
  01  Live animals and prod. 519 29.8 0 - 100 0.7 34.8 77.9 
  02  Vegetable products  574 19.3 0 - 100 1.0 32.2 95.7 
  03  Fats and oils 54 25.1 0 - 40 0.7 38.8 96.5 
  04  Prepared food , etc. 452 21.1 0 - 40 0.6 32.3 96.2 
  05  Minerals  202 4.9 0 - 40 1.6 4.9 48.1 
  06  Chemical and prod. 1,008  4.0 0 - 40 1.9 4.0 25.1 
  07  Plastics and rubber  245 6.5 0 - 40 1.3 6.5 43.0 
  08  Hides and skins 81 7.5 0 - 20 1.3 7.5 58.6 
  09  Wood and articles  133 9.6 0 - 20 0.8 9.6 48.2 
  10  Pulp, paper , etc. 172 5.6 0 - 20 1.5 5.6 49.0 
  11  Textile and articles  899 8.2 0 - 20 1.2 8.2 51.2 
  12  Footwear, headgear  61 16.1 0 - 20 0.4 16.1 50.0 
  13  Articles of stone  186 8.2 0 - 20 1.0 8.2 50.0 
  14  Precious stones, etc.  62 12.5 0 - 20 0.6 12.5 50.0 
  15  Base metals and prod. 761 4.0 0 - 20 1.7 4.4 44.8 
  16  Machinery  894 4.5 0 - 25 1.8 4.5 41.1 
  17  Transport equipment  405 10.7 0 - 30 0.9 10.7 47.5 
  18  Precision equipment  239 7.8 0 - 20 1.0 7.8 50.0 
  19  Arms and ammunition  22 35.5 0 - 50 0.4 35.5 50.0 
  20  Miscellaneous manuf . 182 14.9 0 - 20 0.5 14.9 50.0 
  21  Works of art, etc.  8 20.0 20 - 20 0.0 20.0 50.0 
       
By stage of processing        
First stage of processing  1,059  18.6 0 - 100 1.1 24.0 70.6 
Semi-processed products  1,948  2.6 0 - 40 2.7 2.9 39.9 
Fully-processed products  4,152  12.0 0 - 100 1.0 14.3 51.9 
a Bound rates are provided in the HS2007 classific ation and applied rates in the HS2012; therefore, 
there is a difference between the number of lines included in the calculation.  
b ISIC (Rev.2) classification, excluding electricity (1 line).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by the  Jamaican authorities.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3.1.3.2   Bound tariffs  
3.23.   As a result of the Uruguay Round, Jamaica bound 100% of its tariff lines, with a current 
average rate of 50.3% (97.3% for agricultural products (WTO definition) and 42.4% for non -
agricultural products). MFN applied rate s exceeded their bound levels for 32 tariff lines; for some 
products the gap is over 10 percentage points (Table 3.6).  
Table 3.6 Lines where the MFN duty is greater than the bound duty, for comparable lines  
Tariff Code  Description  MFN 
duty 
(%) Bound  
comparable  
tariff code  Bound description  Bound  
duty 
2704001000  Coke and semi -coke of coal  5 2704001000  - Coke and semi -coke of coal  0 
2807002000  Other sulphuric acid  15 2807000000  Sulphuric acid; oleum  10 
281121 0000 Carbon dioxide  15 2811210000  - - Carbon dioxide  10 
2814100000  Anhydrous ammonia  15 2814100000  - Anhydrous ammonia  10 
2818200000  Aluminium oxide (alumina), 
other than artificial 
corundum  15 2818200000  - Aluminium oxide, other than 
artificial corundum  10 
2833220000  Of aluminium  15 2833220000  - - Of aluminium  10 
2904101000  Sulphonic acid 
(tridecylbenzene [TDBSA] 
and Linear Alkylbenzene 
[LABSA])  15 2904100000  - Derivatives containing only 
sulpho groups, their salts and 
ethyl esters  10 
2904102000  Sulph onic acid 
(Dodecylbenzene [DDBSA])  15 2904100000  - Derivatives containing only 
sulpho groups, their salts and 
ethyl esters  10 
3919100000  In rolls of a width not 
exceeding 20 cm  15 3919100000  - In rolls of a width not exceeding 
20 cm  10 
3919901000  Having the characteristics of 
articles ready for use, or 
marked for cutting into such  15 3919900000  - Other  10 
3919909000  Other  15 3919900000  - Other  10 
4406100000  Not impregnated  15 4406100000  - Not impregnated  5 
4406900000  Other  15 4406900000  - Other  5 
4417001000  Handles for axes, brooms,  
mops, files, hammers, hoes, 
picks, rakes and shovels  15 4417000000  Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, 
broom or brush bodies and 
handles, of wood; boot or shoe 
lasts and trees, of wood  3.5 
4417003000  Broom or brush bodies  5 4417000000  Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, 
broom or brush bodies and 
handles, of wood; boot or shoe 
lasts and trees, of wood  3.5 
4417009000  Other  5 4417000000  Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, 
broom or brush bodies and 
handles, of wood; boot or shoe 
lasts and trees, of wood  3.5 
4802621000  Other paper and 
paperboard of a kind used 
for writing, printing or other 
graphic purposes  20 4802621000  - - - Newsprint with one side 
exceeding 36 cm and the other 
side exceeding 15 cm in the 
unfolded state  15 
7312101 000 Stranded wire  15 7312100000  - Stranded wire, ropes and cables  3.5 
7312102000  Cables  15 7312100000  - Stranded wire, ropes and cables  3.5 
7312103000  Ropes  5 7312100000  - Stranded wire, ropes and cables  3.5 
7312900000  Other  5 7312900000  - Other  3.5 
8205510000  Household tools  20 8205510000  - - Household tools  3.5 
8407330000  Of a cylinder capacity 
exceeding 250 cc but not 
exceeding 1,000 cc  20 8407330000  - - Of a cylinder capacity 
exceeding 250 cc but not 
exceeding 1,000 cc  15 
8407340000  Of a cylinder capacity 
exceeding 1,000 cc  20 8407340000  - - Of a cylinder capacity 
exceeding 1,000 cc  15 
8511100000  Sparking plugs  20 8511100000  - Sparking plugs  0 
8511200000  Ignition magnetos; 
magneto -dynamos; 
magnetic flywheels  20 8511200000  - Ignition magnetos; mag neto-
dynamos; magnetic flywheels  0 
8511300000  Distributors; ignition coils  20 8511300000  - Distributors; ignition coils  0 
8511400000  Starter motors and dual 
purpose starter -generators  20 8511400000  - Starter motors and dual purpose 
starter -generators  0 
8511500000  Other generators  20 8511500000  - Other generators  0 
8511800000  Other equipment  20 8511800000  - Other equipment  0 
8511900000  Parts 20 8511900000  - Parts 0 
8517110000  Line telephone sets with 
cordless handsets  5 8517110000  - - Line telephone se ts with 
cordless handsets  0 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Tariff Code  Description  MFN 
duty 
(%) Bound  
comparable  
tariff code  Bound description  Bound  
duty 
8518300000  Headphones and earphones, 
whether or not combined 
with a microphone, and sets 
consisting of a microphone 
and one or more 
loudspeakers  20 8518300000  - Headphones and earphones, 
whether or not combined with a 
microphon e, and sets consisting 
of a microphone and one or more 
loudspeakers  0 
8518900000  Parts 20 8518900000  - Parts 0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on data provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.1.3.3   Preferential tariffs  
3.24.   As in previous TPRs of Jamaica, it was not pos sible to calculate the preferential tariff due to 
unavailability of data. According to the authorities, Jamaica does not have a differentiated tariff for 
its preferential trade agreements, and preferential access is administered through the use of 
"additio nal national codes " depending on the particular regional trade agreement.  
3.25.   All imports from other CARICOM countries are admitted duty free if they meet the rules of 
origin criteria, although the CARICOM Treaty allows a few national exceptions (Schedule I) t o this 
duty-free entry. Specified imports from other countries with which CARICOM has entered into FTAs 
are also admitted duty free. Imports from other CARICOM countries of products that are on 
Jamaica's list of exceptions are subject to the CET.  
3.26.   Under the  CARIFORUM -EU EPA, Jamaica and other CARIFORUM countries were not obliged 
to begin reducing tariffs on items subject to phased reduction commitments until January 2011. 
Since then, CARIFORUM states have reduced tariffs on products from the EU in several ph ases in 
order to allow time to find alternative revenue sources and for their industries to adjust to 
increased competition.11 Goods to be liberalized by CARIFORUM countries comprise 61.2% of 
imports from the EU in value over 10 years (or by 2018), 82.7% ov er 15 years, and 86.9% over 
25 years (or in 2033), covering 90.2% of tariff lines.  
3.27.   The main exclusions and long phase -in periods for sensitive products include: agricultural 
products (poultry and other meat, dairy products, certain fruits and vegetables), fishery products, 
food preparations (sauces, ice cream, syrup), beverages, ethanol, rum, vegetable oils, chemicals 
(paints/varnishes, perfumes, make -up/cosmetics, soaps, shoe polish, candles, disinfectants), 
furniture and parts, and certain apparel items. Overall, 13.1% of such products imported from 
Europe make up the exclusion list. For agricultural products, most sectors have either been 
excluded from liberalization or have been subject to long  transition periods.  
3.1.4   Other charges affecting imports  
3.28.   Jamaica charges other taxes and fees which in most cases apply to both domestic and 
imported goods: the General Consumption Tax, the Special Consumption Tax , the Environmental 
Protection Levy, the Customs Administrative Fee, the Standard Compliance Fee, as well as  basic 
and additional stamp duties.  
3.29.   The General Consumption Tax  (GCT) is a value -added tax on the consumption of goods and 
services. The taxable base for the GCT on imported goods is the c.i.f. value, inclusive of other fees 
and charges; the base for impo rted services is the sum charged for the services. The GCT has six 
rates: 0% (zero rated goods and services ); 2% (books and other printed material)12; 10% 
(tourism); 16.5% (standard rate) as from 1 June 2012 pursuant to amendment of Section 4(1)(a) 
of the G CT Act; 21.5% (includes 5% advanced GCT); and  25% (telephone service and telephone 
instruments). GCT exceptions include petroleum products (as outlined in the second schedule 
under the GCT Act), goods that are exempt under the Act, and goods designated as capital goods 
by the Customs Act.13 During the review period, the GCT base was broadened to include 
government purchases, electricity and some foodstuffs. A recent GCT gap analysis shows that 
                                                
11 Tariffs continue to be a significant source of revenue for CARIFORUM states.  
12 Religious materials and books imported by schools, churches, government offices , etc. are duty free. 
However , when imported by persons other than such groups, they pay 2%. 
13 GCT paid at standard rate, no advance GCT payable.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Jamaica's GCT collections could be higher by as much as 2% of GDP  if compliance were improved, 
and by 5% of GDP if tax expenditures and policy were improved.14 
3.30.   Jamaica also imposes a Special Consumption Tax (SCT)  on a limited number of imported 
and domestically produced goods (i.e. alcoholic beverages, most tobacco produ cts, some 
petroleum products, and motor vehicles). The specific SCT on alcoholic beverages is J$1,2 30 per 
litre of pure alcohol. The ad valorem  SCT on manufactured tobacco products is 12%. The specific 
SCT on cigarettes, cigars, cheroots and cigarillos is J$17 per stick. The specific SCT on 
unmanufactured tobacco is J$1.05 per 0.7 grams/stick. Specified petroleum products (Chapter 27) 
attract both a specific and  an ad valorem  SCT rate but no GCT. The ad valorem  SCT component on 
gasoline is 10% on the ex -refinery price. A specific SCT on the importation or refining in Jamaica 
of automotive fuels was increased by J$ 6 per litre as from 1 0 March  2017. The SCT ad valorem  on 
motor vehicles is based on the vehicle's engine capacity , and the rates range from 0% to 4 0% for 
individual importers and 0% to 30% for dealers. The SCT rates are further broken down to range 
from 0% for engines of less than 1,000 cc to 40% for engines greater than 3,000 cc.  
3.31.   The Environmental Protection Levy (EPL)  was introduced in FY 2007/08 ; it applied only to 
imports at a rate of 0.5% of the c.i.f. value . As from 1 June 2015, the EPL applie s to the sale of all 
manufactured goods , locally produced and imported, including from CARICOM.  
3.32.   The Customs Administrative Fee  (CAF) is a service charge, w hich is de signed to be 
commensurate with the cost of the service render ed by the JCA . According to the authorities, i t 
replace d the Customs User Fee because it  was not WTO -compliant.  
3.33.   The Standard Compliance Fee  (SCF) of 0.3% of the c.i.f. value is collecte d on behalf of the 
Bureau of Standards on most food products, tobacco products, chemicals, some textiles and 
apparel, and most industrial products (Section 3.1.8). The fee is designed to cover the cost of 
legitimate standards -related services (e.g. certifi cation and testing) provided by the Government.  
3.34.   All imports entering Jamaica are subject to a basic stamp duty of J$5 on goods up to a 
c.i.f. value of J$5,500, and J$100 above that level. An additional stamp duty is payable on some 
imported items, mostly agricultural products. When additional stamp duties are taken into account, 
the overall average border protection increases from 10.4% to 12.6%  (Section 3.1.4.1).  With 
respect to the additional stamp duty, the CARIFORUM -EU EPA provides for complete elimina tion 
within 10 years (i.e. by 2018) for the member states of CARIFORUM. This requirement is, 
however, immediately binding on EU member States . 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.35.   Import prohibitions are applied for health, security, moral or e nvironmental considerations, 
or under international conventions (Box 3.1).  
Box 3.1 Import prohibitions, 2017  
Articles prohibited under the Customs Act  
Counterfeit goods  
Clocks and watches or other articles of me tal, falsely representing any legal Commonwealth assay, mark or 
stamp, or purporting to be made in the Commonwealth  
Coins (base or counterfeit) of any country  
Coins, silver or money not of the established standard in weight and fineness  
Obscene and indecen t printed matter, films, and articles  
Rum colouring solutions or extracts  
Articles prohibited under other acts or international conventions  
Agricultural implements and plants, bulbs, seeds, cuttings, etc. prohibited under the Plant Quarantine Act  
All goods  prohibited under the Anthrax Prevention Act, 1919 (United Kingdom)  
                                                
14 These gaps, while still sizeable and on par with Latin America, have been declining in recent years 
due to Jamaica's ongoing reform efforts. In terms of tax policy, a continued broadening of the GCT base will 
not only reduce the policy gap but also improve compliance as exemption loopholes are closed. IMF Country 
Report No. 16/181.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Animals and their carcasses prohibited under the Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act and any of its 
amendments or laws  
Dogs for racing  
Dog racing equipment  
Tablets containing the combin ation methaq ualone and diphenhydra mine hydrochlorid e  
Goods covered by the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes  
Substances included in the Montreal Protocol on Protection of the Ozone Layer  
Endangered species according to the CITES Convention  
Source:  Customs Act, 1941, as amended; and Trade Board Ltd . online informatio n, "Banned List". Viewed at: 
http://www.tradeboard.gov.jm/import_banned.htm  
3.36.   Import licensing is covered by the Trade Act, Law 4 (1955), and is administered by the 
Trade Board Limited, under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF). 
The licensing system serves to monitor imports that could have a negative impact on the 
environment, health, economic activ ities and security in Jamaica. According to the authorities, this 
system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. Items that require an import 
licence include concentrated milk and cream, fireworks, motor vehicles, specific motor vehic le 
parts and motorized equipment (Table 3.7). The Trade Board Limited is responsible for granting 
licences; licences must be obtained before importation. Import licensing on industrial products is 
automatic. Enterprises that operate in the free -zones or th at benefit from single -entity free -zone 
status are not subject to import licensing.  
Table 3.7 Goods subject to import licensing, 2017  
HS code  Description of product  Automatic 
licensing  Other documents required  
0402 Milk and cream, concentrated or containing 
added sugar or other sweetening matter in 
powder, granules or other solid forms:   Approval from the Bureau of 
Standards Jamaica (BSJ)  
0402.10  of a fat content not exceeding 1.5%  Yes 
0402.20  of a fat cont ent exceeding 1.5%  Yes 
1211.009  Other plant parts for perfume and 
pharmaceutical purposes, e.g. cannabis and 
cocoa leaf  Yes Reference from MICAF, and drug 
permit from MoH  
1301.001  Cannabis resin  Yes Drug permit from MoH  
1302.10  Vegetable saps and extra cts e.g. agar -agar, 
concentrate of poppy straw, extracts and 
tinctures of cannabis and opium  Yes Drug permit from MoH  
1701.99.90  Refined sugar  Yes  
2523 Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag 
cement. Super sulphate cement and similar 
hydraulic cements, whether or not coloured or 
in the form of clinkers    
2523.1000  Cement clinkers; portland cement  Yes  
2523.2100  White cement, whether or not artificially 
coloured  Yes  
2523.2900  Other  Yes  
2523.2910  Building cement (grey)  Yes Reference from MICAF  
2523. 2920 Oil well cement  Yes  
2523.2990  Other  Yes  
2523.3000  Aluminous cement  Yes  
2523.9000  Other hydraulic cements  Yes  
2804.10  Hydrogen  Yes Drug permit from MoH  
2804.20  Rare gases  Yes Drug permit from MoH  
2807.001  Sulphuric acid, for chemical analysi s Yes Drug permit from MoH  
2807.002  Sulphuric acid, other  Yes Drug permit from MoH  
2807.003  Oleum  Yes Drug permit from MoH  
3601.00  Propellant powders  Yes Permit from the Commissioner of 
Police  
Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice  
3602.00  Prepared explosives other than propellant 
powders  Yes Permit from the Commissioner of 
Police  
Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  HS code  Description of product  Automatic 
licensing  Other documents required  
3603.00  Safety fuses, detonating fuses, percussion or 
detonating caps, igniters, electric de tonators  Yes Permit from the Commissioner of 
Police  
Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice  
3604.10  Fireworks  Yes Permit from the Commissioner of 
Police  
Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice  
3604.90  Other pyrotec hnic articles  Yes Permit from the Commissioner of 
Police  
Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice  
8427 Cranes and forklift trucks, other work trucks 
fitted with lifting or handling equipment  Yes  
8429 Self-propelled bulldozers, angel d ozers, 
graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical 
shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, 
trenchers, back hoes, harvesters, pipe layers, 
road rollers, asphalt plants and pavers 
(excluding tamping machines)  Yes  
8430 Compactors and concrete drop  hammers only  Yes  
8433 Sugar cane harvesters and mowers for lawns, 
parks or sports grounds (12.5 horse power/ 
344 cc and above only)  Yes  
8702 Public -transport -type passenger motor 
vehicles  Yes  
8703 Motor cars and other motor vehicles including 
station wagons and rac ing cars and all -terrain 
vehicles  Yes  
8704 Motor vehicles for the transport of goods 
(excluding pick -ups and trucks over 3 tons)  Yes  
8705 Special purpose motor vehicles, other than 
those principally designed for the transport of 
persons or goods (for e xample, breakdown 
lorries, crane lorries, fire -fighting vehicles, 
concrete -mixer lorries, road sweeper lorries, 
spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile 
radiological units and mobile kitchens  Yes  
8706 Chassis fitted with engines (for motor vehicles 
of HS Nos. 87.02 to 87.05)  Yes  
8707 Bodies (including cabs) for motor vehicles of 
HS Nos.  87.02 to 87.04 (excluding cabs for 
pick-ups) Yes  
8708 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles of HS 
Nos. 87.01 to 87.05  Yes  
8708.99.9  Other (motor vehicle parts)    Yes  
8709 Work trucks, self -propelled, not fitted with 
lifting or handling equipment, of the type 
used in factories, warehouses, dock areas or 
airports for the short distance transport of 
goods; tractors of the type used on railway 
station platforms  Yes  
8711 Motor cycles (including mopeds) and cycles 
fitted with an auxiliary motor, with or without 
sidecars; two -wheeled self -balancing, battery 
powered electric vehicles and hover boards  Yes Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice for  
motor cycles of 700 cc and over  
8716 Trailers and semi -trailers; other vehicles, not 
mechanically propelled (only those HS Nos. 
listed below)  Yes  
8716.10  Trailers and semi -trailers of the caravan type, 
for housing or camping  Yes  
8716.20  Self-loading or self -unloading trailers and 
semi-trailers for agricultural purposes; other 
trailers or semi -trailers for the transport of 
goods (20ft/6.1m and above)  Yes  
8716.31  Tanker trailers and tanker semi -trailers  Yes  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  HS code  Description of product  Automatic 
licensing  Other documents required  
9301.00  Military weapons other than revol vers, pistols 
and arms of HS No. 93.07.00  Yes Permit from the Commissioner of 
Police  
Approval from the Firearm 
Licensing Authority and the 
Ministry of National Security and 
Justice  
9304.00  Other arms (rifle, air/spring gun, pistol etc. 
including those wit h HS No. 93.07.00  Yes Approval from the Firearm 
Licensing Authority and the 
Ministry of National Security and 
Justice  
9302.00  Revolvers and pistols other than those of HS 
Nos. 93.03 or 93.04.00  Yes Approval from the Firearm 
Licensing Authority and the 
Ministry of National Security and 
Justice  
9305 Parts and accessories for HS Nos. 93.01 -
93.04  Yes Approval from the Firearm 
Licensing Authority and the 
Ministry of National Security and 
Justice  
9306 Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, 
similar ammuni tions of war and parts thereof, 
including shot and cartridge wads (only those 
HS Nos. listed below)  Yes Approval from the Firearm 
Licensing Authority and the 
Ministry of National Security and 
Justice  
9307 Swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances, similar 
arms,  parts thereof and scabbards and 
sheaths therefor  Yes Approval from the Ministry of 
National Security and Justice  
9503 Other (toy guns, recreational including water 
pistols)  Yes Approval from the Commissioner 
of Police  
9505 Other games, coin - or disc -operated; 
amusement machines other than bowling 
alley equipment  Yes Approval from the Betting, 
Gaming and Lotteries 
Commission  
Note:  MICAF = Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries; MoH = Ministry of Health  
Source:  Information provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.37.   The Trade Board Limited manages a verification process of importers of refined sugar and 
milk powder. Under the Refined Sugar Regimes, a duty waiver is applicable for importers using this 
product as a raw material in their product ion processes. In addition to the relevant licensing 
requirement attached to both refined sugar and milk powder commodities, the Trade Board 
conducts a pre -entry verification process to ensure that persons registered are bona fide  
manufacturers and, in the  case of refined sugar, are eligible for duty waivers.   
3.38.   The Trade Board Limited issues import licences for items that require close monitoring, with 
motor vehicle imports accounting for the bulk of import licence applications. The Motor Vehicle 
Import Poli cy of 201415, in force since 3 April 2014, superseded the Motor Vehicle Import Policy of 
2004. Regulations for this Policy are being developed and will be gazetted in due time. All motor 
vehicles16 require import permits (order and clearance permit) before s hipment to Jamaica. Motor 
vehicle parts (front and back clip) of tariff heading No. 87.08.99.9, pick -up cab, pick -up beds and 
truck cabs of tariff Heading No. 87.07 also require import licences. Import licences are obtained 
from the Trade Board Limited.  
3.39.   A private importer is entitled to import, every three years, one motor vehicle and one light 
commercial vehicle; or two light commercial vehicles; or one light commercial vehicle and one 
regular commercial vehicle unit. Companies, with the exception of certi fied motor vehicle dealers, 
are allowed to import three units within the age limits specified in the Policy, over a three -year 
period.17 The number of vehicles that may be imported by a dealer is not limited. Car dealers must 
                                                
15 Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (at that time) Paper No. 36/14.  
16 Cars, trucks designed specifically for the transportation of passengers, trucks designed specifically for 
the transportation of cargo, pick -up trucks, panel vans, motorcycles, tractors, trailers, all -terrain vehicles 
(ATVs), two -wheeled,  self–balancing, battery -powered electric vehicles (e.g. Segway PTs), and specific 
motorized equipment. The importation of ATVs and two -wheeled, self -balancing, battery -powered electric 
vehicles is allowed for use on private property. The usage of these ve hicles on public roads is prohibited.  
17 A 12-month restrictive clause prohibiting the unauthorized sale, transfer or pledging of such vehicles 
will be incorporated in the import permits approved for importation by such companies. Any requirement for WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  be approved and certified by th e Trade Board Limited and registered under the Companies Act 
2004. Motor vehicle dealers must be inspected and recertified annually by the Trade Board 
Limited, for a fee currently set at J$104,850 for each primary location.  
3.40.   Import licence applications are generally processed within three working days, subject to 
the payment of receipt and processing fees, and are valid for one year in most cases, based on the 
items being imported. However, the validity can be extended. For refined sugar and milk powder, 
licences are valid for three to six months. Total processing fees per motor vehicle unit amount to 
J$6,407.50 (online payment) and J$8,737.50 (manual); the charge for amendments is J$2,912.50, 
and there is a service charge of J$1,000 for manual applications. The same fees apply whether the 
application is for commercial or personal effects.  
3.1.6   Anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures  
3.41.   No major changes have been made to the legislative and institutional framework for 
contingency trade measures since Jama ica's last TPR . The Anti -dumping and Subsidies 
Commission (ADSC), under MICAF , administers the pro visions of the Customs Duties (Dumping 
and Subsidies) Act, 1999, the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) (Determination of Fair 
Market Price, Material Inju ry and Margin of Dumping) Regulations, 2000,  the Safeguard Act, 2001, 
and the Safeguard Regulations, 2003. According to the authorities, Jamaica's trade remedies 
legislation is based on the relevant WTO agreements.   
3.42.   The core mandate of the ADSC is the inve stigation of unfair practices in international trade 
and the determination of remedies to defend domestic industry . The ADSC also engages in a 
programme of industry stakeholder engagement and training to equip domestic producers to use 
the trade remedy ins truments, by holding consultations  and seminars and providing training and 
resource material s.18 
3.43.   The ADSC, in conjunction with its portfolio Ministry, has proposed amendments to the 
Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, which are currently pending, in  an effort to improve 
the clarity and usability of the regime for contingency measures in Jamaica. Under the current 
legislative framework, investigations in relation to dumping, subsidies, safeguards or other 
necessary investigations can be carried out by  the Commission on its own initiative or on receipt of 
a written complaint by, or on behalf of, a domestic industry. If an investigation is required, the 
ADSC notifies the r elevant parties, including the g overnment of the exporting country, known 
Jamaican importers, and foreign exporters of the goods, and publishes a public notice of initiation 
inviting interested parties to comment. In the case of a preliminary determination of dumping, 
subsidization and injury, provisional duties may be applied not earlie r than 60 days after the date 
on which investigation was initiated, and cannot remain in place for more than four months, 
except on the request of an exporter that has a significant share of trade concerned, in which case 
they can remain in place for up to  six months. Where there is a final determination of dumping, 
subsidization, and injury, a definitive duty may be applied for a maximum of five years.  
3.44.   Since its last TPR in 2011, Jamaica has not initiated any anti -dumping investigations 
(compared with five  cases over 1995 -2011), nor any safeguard cases (one during 1995 -2011). 
Jamaica has never taken any countervailing actions.  
3.45.   Under CARICOM, Articles 96 to 116 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas provide rules for 
subsidies and countervailing duties; and Ar ticles 125 through 133 relate to anti -dumping actions. 
Jamaica has not invoked these provisions. The provisions require some clarification and work has 
taken place within the last several years to accomplish a WTO -compliant regime for the region and 
for in dividual territories within the region. Provision has also been made for bilateral safeguards 
under the EPA.  
                                                                                                                                                  
more t han three units within the specified period must be satisfied through purchases from local certified 
dealers.  
18 The work of the ADSC  to support Jamaica's industry is included in "Vision 2030 " and the National 
Development Plan Medium Term Framework for 2015 -2018.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3.1.7   Other measures affecting imports  
3.46.   Jamaica has notified the WTO that it is not applying any trade -related investment measures 
which are not in confor mity with the provisions of the TRIMS Agreement.19 
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.1   Customs procedures and requirements  
3.47.   Exporters must be registered with JAMPRO. To register, a company must submit a copy of 
its certificate of incorporation or of the cert ificate of business name, and the taxpayer registration 
number. Additional document requirements depend on the product to be exported. According to 
the latest World Bank figures, in terms of border compliance, it takes 58 hours and US$876 to 
export from Ja maica (Table 3.8). A competitiveness committee has been established to, inter alia , 
monitor this, and to chart a roadmap to address the issues/barriers identified as constraints to 
competitiveness.  
Table 3.8 Export time and cost, 2017  
Indicator  Jamaica  LA & Caribbean  
Time to export: border compliance (hours)  58 63 
Cost to export: border compliance (US$)  876 527 
Time to export: documentary compliance (hours)  47 56 
Cost to export: documentary compliance (US$)  90 111 
Source:  World Bank online information. Viewed at: www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/jamaica  
3.2.2   Taxes, charges and levies  
3.48.   Jamaica applies no taxes or charges on expor ts. The GCT rate for exports is zero.  
3.49.   Under the Conch (Export Levy) (Special Provision) Act of 2015, exporters pay  US$0.50 per 
pound of conch. The proceeds from the levy go towards the Fisheries Management and 
Development Fund aimed at the sustainable man agement and development of the fisheries sector 
and the reduction of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.   
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.50.   Goods generally prohibited for export are listed in the Customs Act and refer mainly to 
arms, ammunition, and naval stores; and spirits and wines. In addition, exports of shells and some 
live animals are prohibited under international conventions.  
3.51.   Certain items  are subject to export permits , including queen conch, orchids , dolphins, 
Caribbean mahogany, Spanish Cedar Lignum Vitae, Jamaican parrots , as well as other live animals 
and plants  subject to CITES , administered by the National Environment and Planning Agency 
(NEPA)  in Jamaica.  For other products, licences are required for the control , monitoring and 
protection of heritage, as required by the Trade Act. To attest that royalties have been paid, major 
producers of bauxite and alumina are granted one -year export permits, and smaller producers are 
granted shipment -by-shipment automatic export li cences by the Ministry of  Transport and Mining . 
Licences for sugar exports are granted according to availability under the guaranteed quota 
allocations. An export licence is still required from the Coconut Board to export coconuts. Export 
licences are gran ted at no charge.  
3.52.   The Trade Board is responsible for issuing export licences for specific items, the exportation 
of which may impact negatively on the environmental, social and economic conditions of the 
country, or which may not be  in keeping with interna tional obligations. The Trade Board also deals 
with issuing certificates of origin for Jamaican products exported under various preferential trade 
agreements ( except for the CARIFORUM and EU EPA which fall under the purview of the JCA ), and 
with monitoring  imports and exports of specified commodities, as required by MICAF. The 
conditions under which export licences are granted remain unchanged, and scrap metal (including 
scrap jewellery) is now on the list of products requiring export licences (Table 3.9).  
                                                
19 WTO document G/TRIMS/N/1/JAM/1, 31 July 1998.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 3.9 Goods subject to export licensing, 2017  
Product  Authority  
Ammunition (explosive s and firearms)  Trade Board with authorization from the 
Commissioner of Police  
Coconut  Coconut Industry Board  
Crocod iles Trade Board Limited with authorization from the 
National Environment and Planning Agency  
Crocodiles eggs  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the 
National Environment and Planning Agency  
Eggs (National Organic Programme)  Trade Board Limited with authorization from MICAF  
Antique furniture  Trade Board Limited  
Gold bullion and fully or semi -manufactured gold  Trade Board  Limited  
Ores, minerals, and metal, including bauxite, 
alumina, and gypsum  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the 
Ministry of Energy, Science, and Technology  
Antique paintings  Trade Board  Limited  
Pimento  Trade Board Limited with authorization from MICAF  
Plasma, in any form  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the MoH 
Sugar  Trade Board Limited with authorizati on from the 
Sugar Industry Authority  
Lignum Vitaea and log wood  Trade Board Limited with authorization from MICAF  
Petroleum products  Trade Board Limited with authorization  from the 
Commissioner of Mines  
Motor vehicles  Trade Board  Limited  
Live animal s (subject to CITES)  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the 
National Environment and Planning Agency  
Jewellery , excluding those from earth metals  Trade Board  Limited  
Shells (subject to CITES)  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the 
National Environment and Planning Agency  
Green coffee beans (more than 60 kg)  Coffee Industry Board  
Scrap metals, including  scrap batteries  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the JCA 
Scrap j ewellery  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the  JCA 
Aggregates, including sand and stone  Trade Board Limited with authorization from the 
Commissioner of Mines (Mines and Quarries Division)  
Processed foods and furniture  Export permit from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica  
Animal or plant products  Permit from MICAF  
Dangerous goods  Permit from the National Environment and Planning 
Agency  
a Lignum Vitae species need a CITES permit.  
Source:  Information provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.53.   The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) issues permit s for the transboundary 
movements of wastes defined as hazardous under the Natural Resources (Hazardous Wastes) 
(Control of Transboundary Movements) Regulations, 2002. Under these Regulations, the 
importation of hazardous waste is prohibited, whilst their transit and export are controlled under a 
permit system.  
3.2.4   Export support and promotion  
3.54.   The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act of 2015 , approved by Parliament on 12 January 2016  
and entered into force on 1 August 2016, replaced the Jamaica Free Zones Act of 199 6 and the 
Export Free Zones Act of 1982. The new SEZ regime aims to attract large and medium -sized 
corporations that are eager to benefit from trade flows that pass through the Caribbean region as 
part of global value chains. According to the authorities, the new SEZ regime is an attempt to 
meet Jamaica's obligations under the WTO's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, 
and also to realize Jamaica's vision of being a global logistics hub.20 
3.55.   Under the SEZ Act, a SEZ is a designated geographical area limited to specific economic 
activities. The SEZ Act does not state the allowed activities , but it prohibits the following:  
extractive industries  (mining, quarrying, or drilling for natural resources, excluding the lawful 
extraction of water for use b y the occupant or developer);  tourism; telecommunications ; public 
utilities  (excluding the generation of electricity by the occupant or developer for use in the zone);  
                                                
20 Jamaican Parliament online information. Viewed at: http://www.japar liament.gov.jm/attachments/  
article/341/The%20Special%20Economic%20Zones%20Act,%202016%20No.%207.pdf  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  financial services  regulated by the BOJ or the Financial Services Commission;  constructi on services  
(unless part of a manufacturing process within the zone);  real estate ; health services (excluding 
R&D) ; catering  services; and retail trade.21 No company in the SEZ can operate rental and non -
rental activities through the same company.  
3.56.   The SEZ r egime allows for interested parties to be developers, occupants and users of 
spaces designated as SEZs by the SEZ Authority.  A developer is defined as a company limited by 
shares incorporated under the Companies Act of Jamaica and established by a sponsor (i.e. an 
investor) for the purposes of entering into a master -concession or a licence agreement to develop 
and construct an SEZ.  An occupant refers to a person who conducts business in the SEZ under a 
sub-concession agreement with the developer. SEZ users are persons, other than occupants and 
developers, who have been authori zed by the SEZ A uthority to perform activities or services within 
the SEZs.  
3.57.   Under the SEZ regime, there is no minimum threshold export requirement. This is a 
fundamental difference betw een the SEZ regime and the previous Export Free Zone regime where 
85% of sales were required to be exported.  The SEZ regime provides a wide range of tax 
concessions for entities entering that regime such as: a maximum GCT r ate of 12.5% , or as low as 
approx imately 7.5% if they qualify for certain tax credits ; and n o customs dut ies on imported 
items  (once products imported from the SEZ entity enter the domestic territory then all duties will 
apply ). Export -related incentives were repealed in accordance with J amaica's WTO obligations that, 
in turn, will likely result in an increased interaction between the zones and the local economy. 
However, it should be noted that free zone entities, of which a substantial amount are in the 
services sector and therefore not under the requirements of the WTO's Agreement on Subsidies 
and Countervailing Measures, have been grandfathered for four years from the date of the passage 
of the SEZ Act.  
3.58.   Jamaica has a number of active industrial park/free -trade zones: the Kingston Free Zone, 
the Montego Bay Free Zone, Garmex, Portmore Informatics, and Cazoumar. All zones, except the 
Cazoumar Free Zone, are government -owned and managed. A feasibility study is to be done  on a 
project to establish a large logistical cent er including a free zone ( Caymanas Economic Zone) 
located adjacent to Kingston and to shipping and transshipment services provided by the Port  of 
Kingston.  
3.2.5   Export finance, insurance, and guarantees  
3.59.   The National Export -Import Bank (EXIM Bank) is Jamaica' s principal  trade finan cing 
institution and the Caribbean' s first Export -Import Bank. It provid es financial support to the export 
sector. All exporters are eligible for financing  but specific focus is placed on  small and medium -
sized entities (SMEs) involved in non -traditional e xports  (e.g. t ourism, manufacturing, agro-
processing, ICT and creative industries ).22 
3.60.   The EXIM Bank offers Trade Credit Insurance (TCI) , an insurance  programme with the 
following features:  facilitates businesses expanding into new markets and increas es their capacity 
for growth ; offers commercial risk coverage to Jamaican businesses against non -payment from 
both foreign and domestic buyers due to bankruptcy, insolvency and even payment default 
covering up to 85% of the gross invoice value ; and p rovides insur ance cover against receivables . 
Through the TCI, EXIM Bank conducts investigations on prospective buyers to determine their 
creditworthiness and provides independent, recognizable information to enable its customers to 
make a decision .  
3.61.   The TCI is availabl e to business  entities registered in Jamaica. It is applicable to export 
sales of goods and services, domestic sales of Jamaican manufactured goods, third country sale of 
goods supplied by subsidiaries of Jamaican companies, the sale of goods only supplied  by 
subsidiaries of Jamaican companies located and operating within CARICOM, and the sale of goods 
trans-shipped from Jamaica 's duty -free zones to countries within the Caribbean region.  It can also 
be used as collateral when accessing short -term working ca pital loans from EXIM Bank; 
                                                
21 The Minister  of Economic Growth and Job Creation may add other prohibited activities to the list.  
22 EXIM Bank also facilitates capacity  building among S MEs by offering seminars and workshops to 
increase their awareness and provide information that would enhance their ability to access financing. Areas 
covered include business planning, record keeping, registration requirements, standards and quality . WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
- 48 - 
 
  policyholders can access up to 80% of the value of their receivables for approved buyers in this 
regard.  
3.62.   EXIM Bank , as an Approved Financial Intermediary (AFI) of the Development Bank of 
Jamaica (DBJ) , facilitates its clients ' access to finance through the use of partial credit guarantees 
under the Credit Enhancement Facility (CEF) operated  by the DBJ. Loans made by  EXIM Bank and 
other AFIs to SMEs are eligible  for guarantees of up to 50% of the loan amount, to a maximum of 
J$15 million, and  80% for e nergy loans also up to a maximum of J$15 million.  Loans not 
exceeding J$6.25 million are eligible for guarantees  of up to 80% of the loan amount up to a 
maximum of J$5 million.  The objective of the CEF  is to: provide an incentive to A FIs to increase 
lending  to SMEs; facilitate  loans to qualified SMEs, for viable projects, by providing additional 
security coverage on loans; allow the AFI to accept non -traditional collateral which it may not 
normally accept, and grant c redit based on cri teria such as the borrower 's character and the future 
cash flows of the business ; and r educe the risk exposure to the AFI that is normally associated 
with providing credit to SMEs.  
3.63.   One of the strategies under the National Export Strategy (NES) Phase II , is to move away 
from t he traditional form of lending in order to f acilitate the ease of doing business by encouraging 
more flexibility in offering loans and other financial services . The related activity involves 
developing a  guarantee system - Financial Gua rantee System to MSMEs – formulated through the 
Ministry of Finance  and Public Finance , the CBJ and  the DBJ to partner with MSMEs to arrive at  
solutions, e.g. provide guarantee s to a percentage of loans being requested by MSME through all 
financial institu tions.  
3.3  Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
3.64.   Jamaica continues to apply a comprehensive set of incentive schemes. Nonetheless, since 
the last TPR, efforts have been made to simplify and streamline the incentives programme, notably 
by introduci ng the Omnibus Incentives Legislation (Section 2.4.2)  
3.65.   Under the Fiscal Incentives (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (FIA) 2013, Jamaica repealed four 
incentive schemes that were notified to the WTO as containing export subsidies: the Export 
Industry Encourage ment Act; the Industrial Incentives (Factory Construction) Act; the Foreign 
Sales Corporation Act; and the Jamaica Export Free Zones Act. Initially, Jamaica was expected to 
eliminate its export subsidies by 1 January 2003 to comply with the requirements of  the WTO 
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. However, two extensions were granted by 
the WTO that allowed Jamaica to maintain these export subsidy programmes until 31 December 
200723, and then until 31 December 2015 .24 Extensions were renewed  annually subject to fulfilling 
the transparency and standstill requirements under these decisions . 
3.66.   Existing beneficiaries of the Export Industry Encouragement Act  were given the option of 
either having the incentives grandfathered for the remaining period  granted or begin operations 
under the FIA.25 Regarding the Export Industry Encouragement Act  and the Foreign Sales 
Corporation Act26, there was very little activity under these two programmes and therefore no 
incentives were recorded as grandfathered.27  
                                                
23 Ministerial Decision on Implementation -Related Issues and Concerns (WT/MIN(01)/17) paragraph 
10.6 and G/SCM/39.  
24 WTO document WT/L/691, dated 31 July 2007.  
25 The Export Industry Encouragement Act was established as an incentive framework geared toward 
the encouragement of export industries.  
26 The Industrial Incentives (Factory Construction) Act  provided an enabling framework for the provision 
of factory space in Jamaica, while the Foreign Sales Corporation Act was a  legislative framework for the 
operation of  Foreign Sales Corporations (FSCs) in Jamaica.  
27 WTO document G/SCM/N/299/JAM, 23 August 2016.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3.3.2   Standards and other technical requirements  
3.67.   The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), under MICAF, remains the WTO enquiry point for 
issues related to technical barriers to trade (TBT).28 The BSJ has responsibility for the 
promulgation and implementation of standa rds, and performs trade facilitation, business support, 
and consumer protection roles through standardization, metrology, technical information, training, 
energy efficiency evaluation  and conformity assessment ( inspection, calibration, laboratory testing, 
product and system certification ). In 1996, Jamaica accepted the Code of Good Practice.29 Jamaica  
has submitted 55 notifications to the WTO TBT Committee (up to March  2017). No specific trade 
concern has been raised in the Committee regarding Jamaica's meas ures.  
3.68.   The Bureau 's portfolio includes ensuring compliance with the Standards Act (196 9), the 
Processed Food Act (1959) and the Weights and Measures Act (1976). The Standards 
(Amendment) Act 2012 (No. 3 of 2012) amends the Standards Act  in Sections 11 and 12 with 
respect to regulation -making and penalties for offences defined by the principal Act. The Minister 
of MICAF is entitled to amend any monetary penalty specified in the principal Act. Other aspects of 
the BSJ mandate are implemented under the Trade A ct (1955), the Customs Act (1941), the 
Petroleum (Quality Control) Regulations (1990) and the CARICOM Regional Organization for 
Standards and Quality Act (2005 ).  
3.69.   The Standards Compliance Programme (SCP) continues to be implemented to ensure the 
compliance  of all goods (locally produced and imported) with the requirements of compulsory 
product standards (technical regulations) and labelling regulations.30 The Standards Compliance 
Fee (SCF), at 0.3% of the c.i.f. value of commodities in each shipment is paid on all imports of 
products subject to the SCP (e.g. all finished goods), except imports of exempted goods, including 
commodities imported in connection with government incentive programmes, programmes relating 
to health and welfare, international agreement s and protocols, personal effects, and raw materials 
and capital goods imported for use in the manufacturing process, crude petroleum, and certain 
agricultural products .31 
3.70.   Jamaica published 36 domestic/national standards during the period 2011 -17. These are  
mostly based on international standards, primarily the International Organization for 
Standardization (ISO) and Codex Alimentarius, but also on those of the United States and the 
United Kingdom. Currently, Jamaica has 179 international and regional standa rds: 106 ISO 
standards, 7 European standards (EN), 1 Indian, 1 American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 
1 Codex Alimentarius, 8 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) , 15 
Gaming Laboratory Institute, and 40  CARICOM. Since its previous Review in 2011, Jamaica has 
introduced 45 compulsory standards (technical regulations) relating , inter alia , to brewery 
products, toys, labelling and pre -packaged food, bread, furniture, and building and associated 
materials (Table 3.10). Complian ce with standards and technical regulations is verified through 
random inspection and sampling at ports of entry and in the market place. All food processing 
establishments are required to be inspected and registered annually. For specified products (e.g. 
stoves and fans), type testing and approval services are offered to importers on request.  
Table 3.10 Compulsory Jamaican Standards, 2011 -17 
Standard No.  Name of Standard  
JS 35: 2011  Standard Specification fo r Standard Hollow Concrete Blocks (Revised)  
JS CRS 25: 2012  Standard Specification for Rum  
JS CCS 0045: 2012  Standard for Safety Matches  
JS CRS 27: 2012  Standard Specification for Fruit and Vegetable Juice and Drinks, and Fruit Nectars  
JS CCS 41 : 2012  Standard Specification for Brewery Products: beer, stout, shandy, malt  
JS CCS 52: 2012  Standard Specification for Grading and Quality Requirements of Tables Eggs  
JS CRS 5: 2012  Standard Specification for Labelling of Pre -packaged Food  
JS CR S 1: 2012  Standard Specification for Packaged Water  
                                                
28 WTO document G/TBT/ENQ/38/Rev.1, 8 July 2011.  
29 WTO document G/TBT/CS/2/Rev.22, 29 February 2016.  
30 General standards regulations are contained in Standards Re gulations 1983; Standards (Amendment) 
Regulations 1999; and Standards (Amendment) Regulations 2000.  
31 These products are: crude oil, ham and bacon, some poultry, pork and bovine meat cuts, soybeans, 
string beans, cooked and frozen carrots, pigeon peas in p ackages of a certain size, cereals for animal feed, 
meals of oil seeds, oleaginous fruits, meat, and some petroleum oils.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Standard No.  Name of Standard  
JS 322: 2012  Standard Specification for Transportable Gas Cylinders – fully wrapped composite 
cylinders  
JS 323: 2012  Standard Specification for Transportable Gas Cylinders – periodic inspection and t esting 
of composite gas cylinders  
JS CRS 19: 2013  Standard Specification for Cassava Bread  
JS CRS 22: 2013  Standard Specification for Achar, Amchar and Kuchela  
JS CRS 37: 2013  Standard Specification for Labelling of Retail Packages of Aerosol Insec ticide  
JS 303: 2013  Standard Specification for General Hydraulic Cement  
JS 325: 2013  Standard Specification for Football Goals  
JS 301: 2013  Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements  
JS 73: 2013  Standard Specification for Synthetic Laundry  Detergent  
JS 41: 2014  Standard Specification Inspection, Retesting and Use of Transportable Gas Containers 
(Revised)  
JS 75: 2014  Standard Specification for Vinegar  
JS 277: 2014  Standard Specification for Household Cooking Gas Appliances  
JS 145: 2014  Standard Specification for Bread (Revised)  
JS 1 Part 1: 2014  Standard Specification for Labelling of Furniture (Revised)  
JS 1 Part 9: 2014  Standard Specification for Labelling of Toys (Revised)  
JS 1 Part 26: 2014  Standard Specification for L abelling of Tissue Products and Wipes (Revised)  
JS 33: 2014  Standard Specification for Hot Rolled Steel Bars for the Reinforcement of Concrete 
(Revised)  
JS 31: 2014  Standard Specification for Repair of Low -Pressure Welded steel Transportable Gas 
Containers (Revised)  
JS 32: 2014  Standard Specification for Portland Cement: Ordinary or Rapid Hardening  
JS 22: 2014  Standard Specification for Lead -acid Batteries of the Automobile Type  
JS 296: 2015  Standard Specification for Hot -dip Zinc and Hot-dip Aluminium/ Zinc Profile Steel Sheets 
for Roofing (Revised)  
JS 1 Part 27: 2015  Standard Specification for Labelling of Retail Packages of Pesticide (Revised)  
JS 133: 2015  Standard Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete (Revised)  
JS 276: 2015  Standa rd Specification for Canned Ackee in Brine (Revised)  
JS 61: 2016  Standard Specification for Coffee (Revised)  
JS 96: 2016  Standard Specification for Cocoa Powders and Dry Cocoa-sugar Mixtures for Direct 
Consumption  
JS CODEX STAN 
2014 Standard Specif ication for Food Additives  
JS 332: 2015  Standard Specification for Water Storage Tanks  
JS 331: 2017  Standard Specification for Tobacco Products  
JS 326: 2015  Standard Specification for Bag Drink  
JS 286: 2016  Standard Specification for Aggregates for Bit uminous Mixtures  
JS 112 -1: 2016  Standard Specification for Mineral Aggregates, Sands and Fillers 
JS 112 -2: 2016  Standard Specification for Mineral Aggregates, Sands and Fillers 
JS 112 -4: 2016  Standard Specification for Mineral Aggregates, Sands and Fillers 
JS 112 -3: 2017  Standard Specification for Mineral Aggregates, Sands and Fillers 
JS 308: 2017  Standard Specification for Property Maintenance/Construction  
JS 1 Part 29: 2016  Standard Specification for Labelling; Products and Equipment containing Ozone-
depleting Substances and/or their Substitutes  
Source:  Information provided by the BSJ. 
3.71.   The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), a wholly -owned government 
company under MICAF, is the national accreditation body. Its main objective is to fa cilitate trade 
between Jamaica and its trading partners by enabling Jamaica's conformity assessment systems to 
meet international standards and the requirements of the TBT Agreement. JANAAC offers 
accreditation services to public and private -sector laborat ories, and accreditation services to 
conformity assessment, inspection bodies and certification bodies. JANAAC also provides training 
and technical information as appropriate . 
3.72.   The National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) is a unit of the BSJ with a ma ndate to 
offer management systems certification services to ISO 50001 . The NCBJ aims to become the 
pioneer accredited certification body in the Caribbean to offer certification to ISO 50001  Energy 
Management Systems, and seeks to guide organizations on how to establish systems and 
processes to improve their energy performance, inclusive of efficiency and consumption.  
3.73.   Jamaica has not signed any bilateral agreements on the recognition of conformity 
certificates . WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3.74.   On 4 January 2016, the BSJ commenced the transi tioning of its role as regulator for locally 
manufactured and imported commodities , for which there are compulsory standards , as well as 
legal metrology activities to the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA). The NCRA 
was established in July  2015 and operates independently from the BSJ in the execution of its 
technical activities , which include registering processed food establishments, inspecting goods at 
the ports of entry and in the domestic market for compliance , and legal metrology activ ities. The 
BSJ provides the NCRA with corporate services such as human resource management and 
development, facilities management, financial management and IT support.  
3.75.   Jamaica is member of: the ISO, the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML),  
the International Electro -technical Commission (IEC) , the Pan American Standards Commission 
(COPANT), the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ ), the 
International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) , ASTM  International, the Int ernational 
Laboratory Accreditation Council (ILAC), and the Inter American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC).  
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
3.76.   No major changes have been made to the SPS legislative and institutional framework since 
Jamaica's last TPR . The Jamaican SPS regime is regulated by (as amended): the Agricultural 
Products Act, 1926; the Plants Quarantine Act, 1993; the Processed Food Act, 1959; the Animal 
Diseases (Importation) Act, 1943; the Aquaculture Inland Marine and By -Products Act, 199932; the 
Public Health Act, 1985; the Public Health (Meat Inspection) Regulation, 1995; the Public Health 
(Butchers) Regulations, 1989; the Public Health (Nuisance) Regulation, 1995; the Public Health 
(Food Handling) Regulations, 1998; the Food and Drugs Act , 1975; the Meat, Meat Products and 
Meat By -products (Inspection and Export) Act, 1998; the Food Storage and Prevention of 
Infestation Act, 1953; the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Regulations, 1973; the 
Citrus Plant  (Certification) (Amendment)  Regulation s, 2012; the Plants (Importation) Control 
Regulations , 1997; and the Plants (Quarantine) (Wood Packaging in International Trade) 
Regulations, 2012 .33 
3.77.   The Plant Quarantine Branch of MICAF is the WTO/SPS enquiry point.34 It issues pre -entry 
import p ermits for all fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, and plant parts. The products under the 
import permit must be accompanied by certificates stating their phytosanitary condition. Imports 
of live animals and all animal products require an import permit fro m the Veterinary Services 
Division of MICAF. Imported animals are held in quarantine at the Government Quarantine Station. 
Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals for both human and animal consumption require an import 
permit from the MoH. All food intended for  human consumption is subject to random public health 
inspection upon arrival. Jamaica's pest -risk analysis unit is responsible for preparing import risk 
assessments, identifying the quarantine risks associated with requests to import plant or plant 
produc ts, and recommending quarantine measures to manage these risks.  
3.78.   The National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Coordinating Committee (NAHFSCC) 
comprises senior technical officers from various government entities, academia, and the private 
sector. The ob jective of the NAHFSCC is said to establish and maintain a rational, integrated farm -
to-table agricultural health and food safety system in Jamaica that harmonizes inter -agency 
conflict and overlaps and ensures the protection of public health. The food saf ety policy provides 
the foundation for Jamaica's food safety programme and the institutional arrangements.  
3.79.   The MoH is responsible for formulating policy on human health, including matters of food 
safety and hygiene as they relate to: the inspection and re gulation of local and imported food; 
management of the registration and regulation of pharmaceutical products; and food additives, 
cosmetics, certain chemicals and devices, and pesticides. The Ministry cooperates with the BSJ in 
the regulation of food item s. Fresh produce exports are tested for pesticide residue prior to 
shipment to determine whether they meet the standards of the importing country. The testing is 
                                                
32 The Aquaculture, Inland Marine and By -Products (inspection, licensing and export) Act, 1999, 
regulates the production, processing, s torage, and transportation of fisheries products, and sets requirements 
for their inspection and testing.  
33 The Citrus Plant Protection Regulation is administered by the Jamaica Citrus Protection Agency (JCPA) 
to prevent infection of crops with the Citrus Tristeza  virus. The regulation requires registration and certification 
of all nurseries that produce or sell citrus plants; and certification of all citrus trees produced and sold.  
34 WTO document G/SPS/ENQ/26, 11 March 2011.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
- 52 - 
 
  done on a voluntary basis by the exporter without the involvement of the regulatory agencies. 
However, limited random testing of fresh produce imports for pesticide residue is done by the 
Pesticides Control Authority. Legislation on pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Jamaica is 
currently being drafted and Jamaica intends to adopt the Inter national Codex MRL standards.  
3.80.   MICAF is responsible for the surveillance and control of plant and animal pests and diseases, 
as well as the regulation of meat and meat by -products, aquaculture, and marine products and by -
products. It is the contact point f or the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and for the 
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).  Jamaica is also member of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission, and the Codex contact is located at the BSJ.35 
3.81.   All the processes involved in exporti ng fresh produce (such as produce inspection, customs 
inspection and documentation, and airline cargo handling services) occur at one location. Air 
shipments are inspected at the export complexes located at the two international airports, 
although this is not mandatory. In addition to the requirements specified in regulations, Jamaican 
industry has adopted the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Programme (HACCP), a food safety 
management system, which provides a means of creating an effective hazard contr ol programme. 
It is recommended by the regulatory agencies in Jamaica as an effective tool for food safety.  
3.82.   The Import/Export Inspection Centre, established in 2009, provides a central location to 
coordinate the inspection of traded goods, achieve quicker inspection processing time, and keep 
pace with global trends in trade facilitation to boost trade competitiveness and attract investment. 
It houses under one roof the regulatory agencies responsible for human health and safety, animal 
health and plant heal th, covering the operations of MICAF and the MoH; Customs has no control 
over the Inspection Centre. In addition to custom documentation, import permits, licences, 
sanitary and phytosanitary documents may be necessary (Table 3.11). The time taken for the 
processing of documents and cargo at the Inspection Centre is, on average, six hours or less.  
Table 3.11 Import/Export Inspection Centre, 2017  
Ministry  Regulatory agencies  Items inspected  
Industry, 
Commerce, 
Agriculture and 
Fisheries  Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Unit  
 
Veterinary Services Division  
 
 
 
Bureau of Standards  
 
Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation 
Division  Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers  
  
Meat and meat products, poultry, fish  and 
fish products, and crustaceans  
Animal health  
 
Goods and services  
 
Food and feed  
 
Health  Pesticides Control  
Pharmaceuticals  
Public Health  Pesticides  
Pharmaceuticals and nutroceuticals  
All food for human consumption  
Finance and the 
Public Service  Jamaica Customs Agency  All imports  
Source:  Information provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.83.   Some of Jamaica's RTAs contain provisions on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, for 
example the CARICOM -Costa Rica FTA and the CARICOM -Dominican Republic FTA. Instr uctions for 
the drafting of a Biosafety Bill are pending the approval of Cabinet; the Bill will enable 
implementation of the Convention's Biosafety Protocol regarding genetically modified organisms. 
The main SPS provisions in the CARIFORUM -EU EPA include: the designation of competent 
authorities on SPS measures by both parties, and a commitment from the CARIFORUM side to 
establish a regional body representing the CARIFORUM competent authorities to enhance regional 
integration; and transparency provisions, w ith the EU committing to cooperate with the region to 
enhance relevant information exchange.  
                                                
35 WTO document G/SPS/GEN/49/Rev . 12, 20 January 2015.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  3.3.4   Competition policy and price controls  
3.84.   No major changes have been made to Jamaica's competition policy regime since its last 
TPR. Competition policy is still govern ed by Jamaica's Fair Competition Act (FCA), 1993, as 
amended in 2001, and the Fair Competition (Notices and Procedures) Regulations, 2000. The 
FCA's basic principles include: preventing the abuse of market power derived from dominance in a 
market; prohibit ing arrangements or agreements that coordinate market behaviour, eroding 
competition; and providing consumers with adequate and relevant information. The FCA outlaws, 
in principle, business practices that restrict or impede competition, such as price -fixing, collusion, 
and misleading advertising. The FCA does not contain any specific provision against monopolies, 
but the conduct of an individual entity is reviewable under abuse of dominant position. Further, the 
FCA does not contain any specific provision f or reviewing mergers, but the competition authority 
has challenged mergers under the sections of the FCA which prohibit agreements that lead to a 
substantial lessening of competition.  
3.85.   The Fair Trading Commission (FTC), under MICAF , is in charge of monitori ng and enforcing 
the provisions of the FCA. Under the FCA, all businesses, regardless of size, fall under the 
jurisdiction of the FTC. On occasions, t he FTC encounters challenges  in defining relevant markets 
because of availability of data from market play ers. Moreover, according to the FTC,  some 41% of 
Jamaica's GDP is generated by the informal sector.  
3.86.   Table 3.12 indicates the number of competition cases received, investigated (including 
those brought forward from the previous year), and closed by the FTC during the period 2011 -16. 
Recently, t he major cases focused on  the conduct of the two largest providers of 
telecommunication services , as well as a proposed merger between two large media -houses.  
Table 3.12 Competition cases, 2011 -16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Received  12 9 15 10 8 7 
Investigated  39 39 40 40 39 39 
Closed  9 14 9 9 6 7 
Source:  Information provided by the FTC . 
3.87.   The CARICOM Competition Commission interfaces with all competition agencies of the 
CARICOM region primarily through the CARICOM competition network.  Cross-border competition 
issues likely to affect member states ' markets are discussed.  Sharing of information and 
methodologies for undertaking investigations and market studies are amon g the objectives of the 
network.  Recent discussions have focused on construction, telecoms, banking services and 
refreshments markets.  
3.88.   The FTC recently concluded work on the consumer protection framework for the 
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OE CS). Specifically, the FTC recommended a structure 
for consumer protection, institutional arrangements and operational mechanisms, as well as a 
work plan for the implementation of all aspects of creating a regime for OECS member states. 
Recommendations con cluded that there should be a single enforcement regulator for the region, 
with satellite offices in each member state; and the regulator should have responsibility for 
prosecution, while a tribunal should adjudicate on consumer protection matters.  
3.89.   Jamaica  eliminated most price controls and food subsidies in 1991. However, certain 
products and services (e.g. water, electricity, coffee, telecommunications, and transport services) 
are subject to administered prices, i.e. prices that are determined or approved  by a public 
authority by reference to established legal or policy criteria  (Table 3.13). The mechanism generally 
adopted for price controls on services is the "price cap" methodology, which allows service 
providers to adjust annual prices in line with inf lation, less a productivity factor.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 3.13 Price control -related legislation  
Name of legislation  Relevant 
sections  Internet address  
Airports (Economic Regulations) Act  7, 8 http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default /files/laws/Airports%20%28Econ
omic%20Regulation%29%20Act.pdf  
The Public Passenger Transport 
(Kingston Metropolitan Transport 
Region) Act  9 http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Airports%20%28Econ
omic%20Regulation%29%20Act.pdf  
The Public Passenger Tr ansport 
(Rural Area) Act  8 http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Public%20Passenger
%20Transport%20(Rural%20Area)%20Act.pdf  
The Toll Road Act  23 http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Toll%20Roads%20Ac
t.pdf 
The Telecommunications Act  33, 46  http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/The%20Telecommuni
cations%20Act.pdf  
The Telecommunications 
(Amendment) Act, 2012  17 http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/attachments/341_The%20Tele
communications%20(Amendment)%20Act,%202012.pdf  
The Office of Utilities Regul ation Act  11, 13  http://www.our.org.jm/ourweb/sites/default/files/attachments/
page/the_our_act_of_1995_as_amended_in_2000.pdf  
The Office of Utilities Regulation 
(Amendment of First Schedule to the 
Act) Order, 2014  - http://www.our.org.jm/ourweb/sites/defa ult/files/attachments/
page/our_act_amendment_ja_gazette -june_13_2014.pdf  
The Office of Utilities Regulation 
(Amendment) Act, 2015  - http://www.our.org.jm/ourweb/sites/default/files/attachments/
page/office_of_utilities_regulation_amendment_act_2015_no._
27.pdf 
The Rent Restriction Act  19, 20  http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Rent%20Restriction%
20Act.pdf  
The Coffee Industry Regulation Act  7(1)(n)  http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/The%20Coffee%20In
dustry%20Regulation%20Act.pdf  
The Coffee I ndustry Regulations  -  http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Coffee%20Industry%
20Regulation%20Act.pdf  
Source:  Information provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.3.5   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  
3.90.   Jamaica has notified to the WTO that the Jamaica Commodity Trading Company (JCTC) 
remains the only state -trading enterprise as defined in GATT Article XVII and the Understanding on 
the Interpretation of Article XVII.36 
3.91.   Since 2008, the JCTC has been inactive and has not been engaged in any  form of trading 
activity.37 It was established to act on behalf of the Government as a commercial importer and/or 
exporter of sensitive commodities where there are exceptional circumstances which require direct 
government intervention. The company has no p hysical establishment or dedicated staff, but in 
the past was resourced on an ad hoc  basis. The JCTC is a wholly -owned government company.   
3.92.   The Government remains involved in trading activities through a number of commodities 
boards and the Petroleum Corpo ration of Jamaica (PCJ). Commodities boards were established to 
monitor the quality of agricultural exports, including bananas, cocoa, coffee, and sugar  (Section 
4.1.2) . Although their roles have been reduced over time, they still have regulatory powers an d 
have become more involved in providing services. The PCJ was established in 1979 with the 
purpose of searching for oil and gas , and to be the lowest -cost provider of these products. Its 
current activities are mainly the purchase of petroleum, property ma nagement, and the search for 
alternative sources of energy.  
3.93.   The Government also remains involved in commercial activities in mining, utilities, banking, 
and transport, through a number of commercial publicly owned companies. The Government has 
been taking  steps to restructure some of these firms, including the liquidation of redundant ones. 
Eliminating the deficit of public entities is a key part of the authorities' fiscal reform strategy and a 
central part of the overall fiscal consolidation effort.  
3.94.   Through its privatization policy, the Government aims to reduce or divest its role in 
commercial activities that could be provided by the private sector, and to focus on activities that 
                                                
36 WTO documents G/STR/N/13/JAM, G/STR/N/14/JAM, G/STR/N/15/JAM, G/STR/N/16/JAM, 17 August 
2016.  
37 In 2008, the JCTC imported fertilizers to alleviate the difficulties faced by Jamaican farmers in 
obtaining adequate supplies of the co mmodity at affordable rates.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  bring greater efficiency to the economy. The Development Bank of Jamaica , under the Ministry of 
Economic Growth and Job Creation, is the main implementing agency of the privatization 
programme. Methods used by the Government to transfer the ownership or management to the 
private sector include: sales, leases, management contract s, concessions, public share offers, 
employee stock ownership, public auctions, public -private partnerships (PPP s), and joint -ventures.  
3.95.   Jamaica re -privatized the government -owned assets of the sugar cane industry between 
2009 and 2010.38 It also divested other government assets including the sale of the Jamaica 
Pegasus Hotel in 2010 and of the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory in 2011.  
3.96.   In September 2012, a new Privatization and PPP Policy was approved . The programme is a 
key element of the Government's medium -term economic growth strategy, and its primary 
objective is to enable private sector -led economic growth through the ownership, expansion or 
operation of state -owned assets/enterprises and the provision of public infrastructure and services. 
In June 2016, the K ingston Container Terminal PPP transaction  was concluded, as well as the 
privatization of the Petroleum Company of Jamaica (Petcom), a subsidiary of the state -owned PCJ . 
In March 2017, Caymanas Track Limited was privatized.  
3.3.6   Government procurement  
3.97.   Accordin g to the authorities, the total value of procurement contracts reached J$96.2 billion 
in 2015/16, up from J$48.9  billion in 2010/11.39  
3.98.   In December 2015, Jamaica' s first stand -alone Public Procurement Act (PPA) was signed but 
has not yet been made operation al by the Minist ry of Finance and the Public Service  (MFPS ). The 
PPA was borne out of the absence of a comprehensive law covering major best practice 
procurement principles and binding public entities to specific standards of procurement practice . 
The PPA will therefore establish specific procurement institutional arrangements and management 
capacity, procurement operations and market practices. The MFPS  is currently preparing 
implementing regulations, which were expected to be completed by 31 March 2017 to  make the 
PPA effective.  
3.99.   Until the PPA comes into force, government procurement will continue to be regulated by 
the 1959 Financial Administration and Audit Act (FAA Act) and the 1983 Contractor General Act, as 
amended and further developed in other acts and regulations. The FAA Act establishes guidelines 
for government spending, accounting, and accountability for expenditure. The Contractor General 
Act defines the role and responsibility of the Contractor General and his Office. The 1999 
amendment to the Act created the National Contracts Commission (NCC), replacing the 
Government Contracts Committee.  
3.100.   The MFPS has overall responsibility for public sector procurement, in accordance with the 
FAA Act, and thus sets policy, develops procedures, and promulgates  all provisions in relation to 
government procurement. In accordance with the Contractor General Act, the Contractor General 
monitors and may investigate the award and implementation of any government contract in order 
to ensure that it is awarded impartia lly and on the basis of merit. The primary objectives of the 
NCC are the promotion of efficiency in the award and implementation of government contracts, 
and ensuring transparency and equity in the award of these contracts. The NCC is responsible for 
maint aining the Register of Approved Contractors. Except for procurements of a sensitive nature 
(e.g. weaponry), all procurements above $J10  million must be referred to the NCC for review and 
endorsement.  
3.101.   The methods used for tendering are: open tendering (ope n to all local and foreign 
suppliers); selective tendering (open to registered and qualified contractors, including foreign 
                                                
38 In July 2009, three of the six sugar estates of the state -owned Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) were 
divested for an aggregate sale price (for the factories) of US$2 million. The associated sugar cane lands were 
divested throu gh 50 -year leases. In July 2010, the Government signed an agreement with Complant 
International Sugar Industry, a Chinese firm, for the sale of the remaining sugar factories and associated 
farmlands of the SCJ for US$9  million. Under the agreement, the Chi nese firm committed to invest some 
US$127 million during 2011 -13 on modernizing the factories.  
39 Procuring entities are broadly defined and comprise any ministry, department, local government 
authority, statutory body, executive agency, and public company.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  contractors); and limited tendering (only some approved contractors are invited to tender), which 
may include requests for quotation , and single -source or direct contracting procedures. The latter 
requires justification based on the nature of the procurement, its urgency or the specialized nature 
of the good, work or service. The authorities indicate that , over the review period , all available 
methods of procurement as expressed in government procurement procedures were used.  
3.102.   Procuring entities are encouraged to set aside 15% of their total annual procurement for 
SMEs. In addition, a domestic preference of up to 10% is permitted. Procu ring entities require 
approval to enter into a contract. The thresholds for approval are: below $J10 million (the head of 
the procuring entity can approve); between  $J10 million  and $J30 million (NCC endorsement is 
also required); above $J30  million (Cabin et approval is also required).  
3.103.   The Procurement Appeals Board (PAB), a three -person tribunal, provides an independent 
final tier in the administrative dispute resolution mechanism. It hears complaints of aggrieved 
contractors if the complaint is not resolv ed at the two lower levels, that is, by the procuring entity 
or the NCC.  
3.104.   Under the CARIFORUM -EU EPA, the government procurement chapter sets out some basic 
principles and minimum transparency rules that procuring entities should respect when tendering. 
However, these apply only to the relatively few large contracts (in excess of US$200,000) 
tendered by the central authorities, meaning that most public expenditure by CARIFORUM 
countries is not affected by these provisions. The procurement chapter seeks to s upport the 
gradual creation of a regional procurement framework in the Caribbean region, which is already 
underway. However, the EPA does not grant a right of access to public tenders; thus , when an 
authority in a CARIFORUM country tenders a public contrac t, suppliers established in the EU or in 
another CARIFORUM country cannot claim a right to participate. It remains for the parties to 
decide which suppliers are eligible to tender.  
3.105.   Jamaica is not party to the WTO Plurilateral Agreement on Government Procur ement.  
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  
3.106.   Since its last TPR in 2011, three main changes were made to Jamaica's intellectual 
property rights (IPRs) legislation: (i) the Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules 2011 amended the 
Trade Marks Rules 2001 to  increase the applica ble trade mark fees40; (ii) the Trade Marks 
(Amendment) Act, 2013 , amended the Trade Marks Act, 1999 , and the Trade Marks Rules, 2001 , 
to: establish a cooling -off period in opposition proceedings; increase the period of non -use for 
which a party can apply t o revoke a registration , from three years to five years; preserve the  
rights of an earlier trade mark user; and allow requests for extension of time in more 
circumstances41; and (iii) the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2015 , amended the Copyright Act, 
1993, to, inter alia , extend the term of copyright protection from 50 to 95 years for original 
literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, and to fulfill Jamaica's obligations under the WIPO 
Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.42 These two treaties, 
known as the Internet Treaties, set down international norms aimed at preventing unauthorized 
access to , and use of , creative works on the Internet or other digital networks . Jamaica is yet to 
accept the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreeme nt. 
3.107.   The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) continues to administer intellectual 
property (IP) systems in Jamaica, in the areas of trademarks, industrial designs, geographical 
indications, copyright and related rights, patents, and layout -designs ( Table 3.1 4). 
                                                
40 The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office online information. Viewed at:  
https://www.jipo.gov.jm/sites/default/files/PDF_Files/Trade_Marks_(Amendme nt)_Act_2013.pdf  
41 Ibid. 
42 The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office online information. Viewed at: 
https://www.jipo.gov.jm/sites/default/files/PDF_Files /Copyright_Amendment_Act_2015.pdf  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 3.14 Overview of IPR protection, 2017  
Coverage  Duration  Selected exclusions and 
limitations  Main legal sources  
Copyright     
Literary, dramatic, musical 
and artistic works, films, 
sound rec ordings, 
broadcasts and cable 
programmes, typographical 
arrangements, compilations 
of data and original 
database  Life of the author 
plus 95 years for 
literary, dramatic 
musical and 
artistic works;  
95 years from 
creation or first 
publication for 
films, sou nd 
recordings, 
broadcasts and 
cable 
programmes;  
50 years for 
typographical 
arrangements  The Act provides for 
reciprocity of national 
treatment for foreigners who 
are citizens of countries listed 
in the schedule of "specified 
countries" (e.g. members of 
Bern and Rome conventions, 
or countries that give 
adequate protection to 
Jamaican copyright owners)  Copyright (Amendment) Act 
2015 
Copyright Act 1993  
Copyright (Amendment) Act 
1999 
Copyright (Specified 
Countries) Order 1994  
Industrial designs     
Designs  15 years from the 
date of 
registration  No protection is provided for 
designs that are "scandalous" 
or contrary to law or morality  Designs Act 1937, as 
amended in 1975  
Designs Rules of 1937  
Designs (Amendment) Rules 
1983 
Trademarks     
Trade marks (including  the 
shapes of goods and their 
packaging, graphic 
representations depicted by 
their colour, or a certain 
combination of colours and 
shapes);  
Service marks, collective 
marks and certification 
marks  10 years, 
renewable 
indefinitely, for 
successive 
10-year te rms Elements such as sound, 
perfumes, and containers, 
are not provided for;  
signs that are contrary to 
public policy or morality are 
not protected  Trade Marks (Amendment) 
Act, 2013 
Trade Marks (Amendment) 
Rules, 2011  
Trade Marks Act , 1999 (in 
force since September 2001)  
Trade Marks Rules , 2001 
Patents     
Invention, discovery or 
improvement (e.g. any 
manner of new manufacture 
or new mode of 
manufacture)  14 years, 
extendable for 
7 years  No protection if it would be 
contrary to the law  Patent Act 1857, as a mended 
in 1974 and 1975  
Geographical indications  
Products originating in the 
territory of a country, region 
or given locality, where a 
particular quality or 
reputation is essentially 
attributable to its 
geographical origin. The 
concurrent use of 
homonymo us geographical 
indications to be registered 
is allowed, provided that a 
suitable differentiation is 
made between the products  Indefinite  No protection for indications 
likely to mislead the public; 
contrary to public order or 
public morality; not or no 
longer protected or that have 
fallen into disuse in their 
country of origin  Protection of Geographical 
Indications Act 2004  
Protection of Geographical 
Indications Regulations 2009  
Layout -designs (topographies) of integrated circuits  
Layout -designs that were  
first commercially exploited 
after the entry into force of 
the Act  10 years from the 
date on which the 
design was first 
commercially 
exploited (not 
renewable)  No protection for ideas, 
concepts, processes, 
principles, systems, 
procedures, or discoveries  Layout-Designs 
(Topographies) Act 1999  
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on information provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.108.   Jamaica is a member of the following international IPR -related Treaties and Conventions: 
the WIPO Convention, since 1978; the Paris Con vention (Industrial Property), December 1999; the 
Berne Convention (Literary and Artistic Works), January 1994; the Nice Agreement (International 
Classification of Goods and Services), February 2006; the Rome Convention (Performers, 
Producers of Phonograms  and Broadcasting Organisations), January 1994; the Geneva Convention WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  (Unauthorised Duplication of Phonograms), 1994; the Vienna Agreement (International 
Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks), February 2006; the Brussels Convention 
(Distribut ion of Programme Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite), January 2000; the Nairobi 
Treaty (Olympic Symbol), March 1984; the WCT (WIPO Copyright Treaty), June 2002; the WPPT 
(WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty), January 2002; and the Beijing Treaty  on 
Audiovisual Performances, June 2012 . Jamaica has a bilateral IPR agreement with the United 
States.43 The Jamaican IPR legislation was reviewed by the WTO TRIPS Council in June 2001.44 
3.109.   Since 2009, the JIPO began an in -depth  review of the Patent Act with t he aim of adopting 
a new Patent and Designs Act. The new Act has been drafted and is expected to be adopted by the 
end of 2017. According to the authorities, it  will be fully compliant with the Patent Corporation 
Treaty and the Locarno Agreement establishi ng an International Classification for Industrial 
Designs.  
3.110.   The Protection of the Rights of Breeders of New Varieties of Plants  Bill is currently being 
drafted by the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. Drafting is expected to be completed 
during 201 7. 
3.111.   The Protection of Geographical Indications Act 2004 and the Protection of Geographical 
Indications Regulations 2009 protect products that originate from localities where a particular 
quality or reputation is attributable to its geographical origin. Jama ica is seeking  TRIPS -plus 
provisions as regards the protection of geographical indications, the aim being to grant to other 
products the same level of protection presently granted to wines and spirits. The CARIFORUM 
states are currently working to establis h a system of protection for geographical indications.45  
3.112.   Parallel imports are not allowed under the Copyright Act or the Layout -Designs 
(Topographies) Act; they are forbidden under the Trade Marks Act only upon written request to the 
Commissioner of Custom s from the proprietor of a registered trademark or a licensee. The Patent 
Act and the Designs Act do not prohibit parallel imports. The legislation does not provide for 
compulsory licensing of patents but this is covered in the draft of the future Patents and Designs 
Act. 
3.113.   IPR legislation is enforced mainly by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) (the police), 
through its IP Unit in the dedicated Counter -terrorism and Organized Crime (C-TOC) Investigation 
Division. The JCF may initiate criminal proceedings o n the basis of a complaint or on its own 
initiative. The Jamaica Customs is in charge of action against counterfeit activities at the border 
and works in conjunction with the Revenue Protection Division of the MFPS. Suspension of imports 
by Customs is cove red only in the Copyright Act and the Trade Marks Act, and is subject to 
application by the rights owner to the Customs Department; neither the Copyright Act no r the 
Customs Act empower customs authorities to act ex officio in any instance.  
3.114.   In 2016, 209 ca ses were prosecuted regarding unlawful use of trademarks and breach of 
copyright, with 104 convictions (Table 3.15).  
Table 3.15 IPR crimes, 2016  
 Number of cases prosecuted  Number of convictions  
Unlawful use of trademarks  94 37 
Breach of Copyright Act  115 67 
Total  209 104 
Source:  Information provided by the Jamaican authorities.  
3.115.   Civil IPR matters are dealt with by Parish Courts (for damages claims not exceeding 
J$250,000), and the Supreme Court (for larger sums and injunctive relief). Criminal acts of 
infringement of IPRs may also be dealt with by the Supreme Court. A decision that is 
                                                
43 The Agreement Concerning the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, 1994.  
44 WTO document IP/Q -Q4/JAM/1, 12 December 2001, contains the introductory statement made by 
Jamaica, as well as the question s posed and answers given during the Review.  
45 Agreeing a reciprocal approach for recognition and protection of geographical indications under the 
CARIFORUM -EC EPA.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  unsatisfactory to either party may be taken to the Court of Appeal. According to the authorities, 
the IPRs most often subject  to court action are copyright and trademarks.  
3.116.   Courts have the power to take provisional measures, such as interlocutory injunctions in 
the case of  trade marks,  copyright and related rights. In the case of trademarks and designs, 
measures include: an order for detention, preservation, or inspection of the property; an order for 
sale for perishable articles; and an injunction against continuance or repetition of wrongdoing.  
3.117.   The penalties for copyright and related rights and trademarks infringement vary acc ording 
to the nature of the infringement. The legislation provides for fines ranging  from JMD$100,000 per 
offence, to JMD$1 million, with the possibility of imprisonment; or imprisonment only, with a 
sentence from six months to a maximum of five years.  The Patent Act provides for both criminal 
and civil penalties. The fine is "a sum equal to three times the actual damage sustained" by the 
patent owner as a result of the offence. The courts also have the power to revoke a patent. Under 
the Designs Act, the f ine for unlawful use of a registered design is J$100 for each offence. Under 
both the Patent Act and the Designs Act, civil proceedings may also be brought, and remedies 
include an injunction.  
3.118.   A major focus for the JIPO has been public sensitization, from the educational institutions 
to the general public. It provides guidance on matters relating to IPRs to members of the Jamaica n 
Bar Association and the Attorney General's Chambers, when requested. Specialized training 
courses on IP enforcement are provided  annually to members of the Organized Crime Investigation 
Division , the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution s, and Jamaica Customs  Agency , under the 
auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the U.S. Department of State 
and/or the U.S. Patent and Trade Mark s Office.  
 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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 4  TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  
4.1  Agriculture  
4.1.1   Overview  
4.1.  During the review period, agriculture's contribution to GDP varied between 6.6% and 7.3% 
(Table 4.1). The sector is the largest employer in the country, accounting f or 17.5% of the total 
workforce. Agriculture is characterized by small land holdings: 75% of holdings are less than one 
hectare. This sector also offers growth potential through linkages to manufacturing and tourism. 
For example, manufacturing depends on i nputs from farms, since agro -processing constitutes the 
main manufacturing activity.  
Table 4.1 Agriculture sector indicators, 2011 -16 
(Per cent)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Share of GDP  6.6 6.8 6.7 6.6 6.6 7.3 
Growth rate  10.3 2.3 -0.7 -0.5 -0.1 13.5 
Export values (US$ million)a 346.3  546.1  401.7  251.6  230.9  229.0  
Share of total merchandise exports  21.3 31.9 25.6 17.3 18.4 19.2 
Import values (US$ million)a 1,321.7  1,375.4  1,219.8  955.8  843.6 840.9 
Share of total merchandise imports  20.5 20.9 19.6 16.4 16.4 17.7 
Trade balance (US$ million)  -975.4  -829.3  -818.1  -704.2  -612.7 -611.9  
Share of employed labour force  17.8 18.1 18.3 18.4 17.5 .. 
.. Not available.  
a WTO definition.  
Source:  Share of GDP data came from the Planning Institute of Jamaica. V iewed at: 
http://www.pioj.gov.jm/Portals/0/Economic_Sector/Selected%20Indicators%202016.pdf  [28 June 
2017]; growth rate, and trade data from the Statistical I nstitute of Jamaica; employment data from 
the MICAF.  
4.2.  The development of the agriculture sector has been constrained by inadequate infrastructure 
investment and natural disasters. Drought, as well as the lingering effects of hurricane Sandy in 
2012, led to  reductions in the sector's production and export earnings. Due to more favourable 
weather conditions, the sector experienced strong growth in 2016, when it expanded by 13.5% 
after declining in the 2013 -15 period. In 2016, t otal production of domestic food  crops (except 
cereals) increased significantly  compared to previous years  (Table 4.2).  
Table 4.2 Production and export value, 2011 -16  
(Tonnes)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Production of domestic food crops  
Legumes  5,091  5,261  5,501  4,911  4,708  5,550 
Vegetables  223,545  224,131  233,226  206,097  201,866  243,487  
Condiments  44,712  46,854  52,295  45,392  42,781  52,254  
Fruits  38,742  45,023  46,325  44,446  43,467  54,254  
Cereals  2,968  3,121  2,497  2,512  2,365  2,354 
Plantain  35,335  36,203  30,937  39,348  38,421 43,437  
Yams  134,620  145,059  138,834  135,303  136,732  156,103  
Other tubers  48,459  45,713  41,670  40,882  41,166  44,893  
Potatoes  57,424  57,561  61,645  58,988  58,749  65,013  
Sorrel  1,212  1,212  1,483  1,214  1,187  1,408 
Production of selected traditional export crops  
Sugar cane derivatives        
  Cane milled  1,518  1,475  1,403  1,779  1,572  1,162 
  Sugar production (commercial)  138 131 120 143 129 86 
  Molasses  59,951  57,166  57,878  71,746  68,124  .. 
Bananas  46,660  47,473  37,211  51,581  54,810  58,702  
Citrus  106,922  97,072  83,758  71,194  74,336  .. 
Coffee (cherry)  8,099  6,687  6,984  5,298  5,847  7,533 
Cocoa (deliveries to processing plants)  499 1,393  997 1,154  637 672 
Coconut (million)  96 96 97 99 81 99 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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   2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Export value (US$,000)  
Bananas  63 121 62 179 259 358 
Citrus (fresh fruit)  2,180  1,882  3,322  1,732  1,386  1,806  
Coffee  18,326  13,779  16,327  13,479  23,025 27,584  
Cocoa  1,108  1,936  504 1,028  544 895 
Pimento  1,835  2,303  1,912  2,329  2,369 2,508  
.. Not available.  
Source:  Economic and Social Survey, and Statistical Institute of Jamaica . 
4.3.  Agricultural products remain important contributors to export earnings, accounting for about 
20% of total merchandise exports in 2016 (Table 4.1). The main traditional export crops comprise 
sugar cane, bananas, citrus, cof fee, cocoa, and pimento (Table 4.2). In 201 6, their export value 
increased significantly,  reflecting improved earnings from cocoa (up by 65% from 2015), bananas 
(up by 38%), citrus (30%), coffee (20%), and pimento (6%) (Table 4.2).  
4.4.  Jamaica has continued to  be a net importer of agricultural products (Table 4.1). In 2016, the 
main agricultural and food products imported included food preparations, maize, oil cakes, 
undenatured ethyl alcohol, and rice. Agricultural imports represented on average about 19% of 
total merchandise imports during the review period.  
4.1.2   Policy and institutional framework  
4.5.  The newly configured Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) , 
which replaced the MOAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries)  in February 2016,  is responsible 
for creating an enabling environment to develop industries, advance standards, ensure food 
security and safety, protect consumers, and foster social and inclusive economic development, 
through sustainable management of resources in commerce,  industry, agriculture and fisheries.1 
MICAF is responsible for integrating primary agricultural production into all stages of the value 
chain, to facilitate full commercialization of outputs of the agricultural, manufacturing, industrial, 
creative and oth er services sectors. Priority areas identified by MICAF include:  
a. Policy and legislation development;  
b. Economic zone programmes including the expansion of agro -parks, and the setting up of 
SEZs (Section 3.2.4)  (Jamaica has nine agro -parks; infrastructure in  these parks, such 
as road and irrigation infrastructure, packaging facilities, extension services, and 
research and development is provided by the Government and leased to investors and 
farmers);  
c. National quality infrastructure and systems programme, inc luding food safety 
infrastructure and systems;  
d. Research, development and innovation programmes;  
e. Fisheries development;  
f. Encouraging the production of certain crops (including onions and Irish potatoes) for 
food security purposes;2 
g. Other programmes include t hose on production and productivity; global logistic hubs; 
MSMEs; marketing and trade facilitation; and institutional strengthening programmes.  
4.6.  According to the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the impact of the nine agro-parks became 
more pronounced in 2015  and 2016 due to the usage of irrigation facilities and an increased level 
of operations. According to MICAF information, production from agro -parks increased from 1.14 
million kilograms in 2014 to 2.13 million kilograms in 2015 and 2.79 million kilograms in 2016.  
                                                
1 MFPC, 2016-2017 Jamaica Budget . Viewed at: http://www.mof.gov.jm/downloads/budgets/eoe/  
Estimates_of_Expenditure_2016 -2017.pdf  [27 January 2017].  
2 Incentives include technical advice and the provision of inputs (the authorities indicated that t he cost 
of these incentives falls within Jamaica's de minimis  provision) . WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.7.  To guide the development of the agriculture sector, MICAF drafted a number of policies, 
including the Medium -Term P olicy Framework for the Cattle Sector, the National Fisheries and 
Aquaculture Policy, the Animal Health and W elfare Policy, the Banana Policy, the National Organic 
Policy, the Agricultural Land U tilization Policy, and the N ational Seed Plan. The National Food 
Safety Policy, the National Plant Health Policy, and the N ational Food and N utrition Security Policy 
were approved by Parliamen t.3  
4.8.  The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), under MICAF, provides extension 
services to the agricultural sector, and promotes and supports agricultural production in rural 
communities. The Agro -Investment Corporation (Agro -Invest), a departme nt within the Ministry of 
Economic Growth and Job Creation, is an agricultural investment facilitation, advisory and 
management company. It was set up after the closure of the Agricultural Support Services 
Productive Projects (ASSP), and because of the nee d for the revitalization of the Agricultural 
Development Corporation (ADC). The ADC Act was replaced by the Agro -Investment Corporation 
Act on 1 June 2009, which gave birth to Agro -Invest.4 
4.9.  MICAF is responsible for a number of statutory boards: the Banana Board, the Cocoa 
Industry Board, the Coconut Industry Board, the Coffee Industry Board, the Dairy Development 
Board, the Sugar Industry Authority, and the Citrus Growers' Association. There are also a number 
of limited liability companies: National Rums of  Jamaica, and the Sugar Company of Jamaica. The 
Wallenford Coffee Company began operating as a fully private company in September 2013.  
4.10.   The authorities indicated that the Government is in the process of amending or repealing 
acts related to: coconut, cocoa , coffee and the spice industry (particularly pimento, ginger, 
turmeric and nutmeg). The proposed legislation aims to establish a body – the Jamaica Agricultural 
Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) – to assume consolidated regulatory responsibility fo r 
these industries. The authorities indicated that the Bill to give legal effect to JACRA's establishment 
was approved by both Houses of Parliament , has received assent of the Governor General, and is 
to come into effect on an appointed day. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is finalizing 
regulations to implement this Act. All related organizational activities were approved by the 
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. The authorities expect the JACRA to be established in 
2017.  
4.1.3   Trade policy  
4.1.3.1   Bord er protection  
4.11.   Tariff protection for agricultural products remains substantially higher than for non -
agricultural products. Tariff rates range from 0% to 100% for agricultural products (WTO 
definition), and from 0% to 50% for non -agricultural products. The simple average tariff rates for 
agricultural and non -agricultural products were 20.8% and 7.9%, respectively, in 2017 
(Table  3.4). Product groups with relatively high tariffs include animal and animal products, dairy 
products, fruits, vegetables and plants , sugar and confectionery, and beverages, spirits and 
tobacco.  
4.12.   All imports entering Jamaica are subject to a basic stamp duty, and an additional stamp 
duty is applied to certain products, most of which are agricultural products (Section 3.1.4). The 
highest  stamp duties are:  
a. 90% for certain vegetables and oil seeds;  
b. 86% for edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers;  
c. 80% for certain vegetables and poultry (whole birds and certain cuts);  
d. 77.1% for meat; and  
e. 70% for cereals, products of the milling indust ry, grains and residues, and waste from 
the food industry.  
                                                
3 Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.moa.gov.jm/AboutUs/departments /policies.php  [25 January 2017].  
4 Agro-Invest online information. Viewed at: http://www.agroinvest.gov.jm/About_Us/history.html  [25 
January 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.13.   Import licensing is required for the importation of concentrated milk and cream; other plant 
parts for perfume and pharmaceutical purposes; cannabis resin; vegetables, saps and extracts; 
and refin ed sugar (Table 3.7). Export licences are required for the export of eggs, sugar, green 
coffee beans, processed food, animal or plant products, and coconut (Table 3.9). Conch is subject 
to an export levy (Section 3.2).  
4.14.   The Government is involved in tradin g across the border through a number of commodit y 
boards which were set up to monitor the quality of agricultural exports, including bananas, cocoa, 
coffee, and sugar. The Banana Board has the authority to export bananas and to grant permits to 
agencies/pe rsons to export bananas. The Cocoa Industry Board is responsible for the marketing of 
Jamaica's cocoa internationally. The Coffee Industry Board (CIB) has become the main exporter of 
commercial quantities of Jamaican coffee, including the Blue Mountain cof fee grown at altitudes of 
between 1,500 and 4,000 feet. The CIB exports coffee on behalf of private entities; all coffees 
being exported must be handed over to the CIB for the necessary testing. The Jamaica Cane 
Product Sales (JCPS) is the only entity allo wed to import raw sugar. The Sugar Industry Authority 
(SIA) exports raw sugar, and the Pan Caribbean and Golden Grove companies may export raw 
sugar after obtaining a "no objection" letter from the SIA, allowing them to obtain a licence from 
the Trade Boar d. 
4.1.3.2   Export and domestic support  
4.15.   Jamaica notified the WTO that it provided no export subsidies in the agricultural sector for 
the years from 1999 to 2016.5 
4.16.   According to Jamaica's notifications to the WTO, its domestic support measures are all 
exempted from r eduction commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture (Green Box 
measures). General services support was provided to develop the agricultural sector and enhance 
its competitiveness, including research and development, extension and advisory services, pla nt 
quarantine, and veterinary services. About half of the support was used for research and 
development (Table 4.3). The total value of the support fell from US$33 million in 2011/12, to 
US$24 million in 2014/15, before rising again to US$30.5 million in 2 015/16.  
Table 4.3 Domestic support: measures exempt from the "Green Box" reduction 
commitment, 2011 -16 
(Fiscal year)  
Name and description of measure  Value during the reporting period (US$  million)b 
 2011/12  2012/13  2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  
Government Serv ices Programme:  
 - General services       
Research and development:  
- phytosanitary research, as outlined in the 
Quarantine Act, involving the certification of 
plant material free of disease, exotic pests 
and pathogens;  
- continued genetic improvement in  cattle, 
pigs and goats as well as the development of 
feeding systems, and the general 
improvement of livestock production;  
- research into domestic food crops and 
traditional export crops to identify efficient 
systems for production and introduce 
adaptabl e and acceptable crop varieties  17.5 18.2 17.7 10.7 15.4 
Extension and advisory services:   
delivered primarily to rural farmers through 
RADAa 11.1 10.7 9.1 9.0 10.4 
                                                
5 WTO documents G/AG/N/JAM/8 (23 Februar y 2012), G/AG/N/JAM/12 (16 June 2014), and 
G/AG/N/JAM/14 (7 April 2016).  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Name and description of measure  Value during the reporting period (US$  million)b 
 2011/12  2012/13  2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  
Plant quarantine:  
The Plant Quarantine Division issues import 
and export permits and con ducts inspection 
of plants and agricultural produce to ensure 
that only the highest quality produce is 
imported into and exported from Jamaica, 
and to ensure that no harmful exotic plant 
pests are introduced and become established 
on the island  1.9 1.8 2.7 1.9 2.1 
Veterinary services:   
The Veterinary Services Division oversees 
animal health, status, and welfare. It 
operates a diagnostic laboratory service for 
the protection of the livestock industry; 
certifies the health of animals; is involved in 
the imp ort/export inspection of live animals, 
meats and meat products; and offers artificial 
insemination services for cattle, pigs, and 
goats  2.6 2.5 2.45 2.5 2.6 
Total  33.1 33.2 32.0 24.1 30.5 
a RADA provides technical, marketing, financial and infrastructur al facilities and assists with the 
development of the social services required for improvements of the quality of life for farm families. 
It also: conducts extensive farmer training programmes; assists small farmers in organizing 
marketing ventures; dissem inates information on plants, crops and animal husbandry; provides 
agricultural service centres at strategic locations; and provides irrigation facilities to farmers.  
b Exchange rate:  
2011/12: J$86.08 = US$1.00.  
2012/13: J$88.99 = US$1.00.  
2013/14: J$100 .77 = US$1.00.  
2014/15: J$111.22 = US$1.00.  
2015/16: J$117.26 = US$1.00.  
Source:  WTO documents G/AG/N/JAM/10/Rev.1 (28 October 2013), G/AG/N/JAM/11 (9 May 2014), and 
G/AG/N/JAM/13 (8 April 2016).  
4.17.   The Government intends to transform and modernize the agri culture sector. The Medium -
Term Socio -economic Policy Framework (MTF) 2015 -2018 aims to strengthen agricultural research 
institutions and programmes, improve the competitiveness of a diversified range of agricultural 
products, and provide adequate water su pply, irrigation and drainage to boost production and 
improve quality of life in rural areas.6 The Government has increased its budgetary transfers to 
agricultural producers many times  during the review period : total funding for MICAF reached 
J$5.39 billio n (recurrent expenditure) and J$3.59 billion (capital  expenditure) for fiscal year 
2016/17  (Table 4.4). In FY2016/17, the biggest programme among those included in the recurrent 
budget is for agricultural extension services, including those for rural devel opment and for 
crop/livestock production. The largest Capital A project is the sugar industry transformation 
programme, while the largest capital B projects (those funded by donors) are the Agricultural 
Competitiveness Programme funded by the Inter -America n Development Bank and the Jamaica 
Banana Accompanying Programme funded by the  European Union (Table 4.4).  
Table 4.4 Agriculture and fisheries expenditure for fiscal years 2015/16 and 2016/17  
(J$'000)  
 2015/16  
revised 
estimates  2016/17  
estimates  
Estimates of expenditure (net of appropriations -in-aid) for 
MICAF    
of which    
  Recurrent expenditure  320,168  5,391,195  
  Capital Aa 529,191  2,827,269  
  Capital Bb 56,927  767,519  
                                                
6 IDB (2016), IDBG Country Strategy with Jamaica 2016 -2021, draft. Viewed at: 
http://idbdocs.iadb.org/ws docs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=40713849  [8 November 2016].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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   2015/16  
revised 
estimates  2016/17  
estimates  
Programmes:    
Recurrent:    
Agriculture, forestry and fishin g 234,910  3,869,144  
   Executive direction and administration  90,408  654,574  
      General administration  13,327  206,169  
      Policy coordination and administration  77,081  448,405  
   Agriculture research and development  12,149  394,664  
   Agricultural  extension services  10,935  1,568,379  
      Crop/livestock production  5,723  262,727  
      Rural development  5,212  1,305,652  
   Agricultural planning and policy  21,056  394,891  
   Prevention of agricultural theft (Praedial Larceny Prevention)  2,381  11,887  
   Plant quarantine and food safety  39,666  249,071  
   Zoos and gardens  3,906  73,540  
   Fisheries  14,442  198,092  
   Veterinary services  39,967  324,046  
Agriculture research and development  12,149  394,664  
   General administration  3,305  117,395  
   Livestock research and improvement (animal breeding and 
husbandry)  2,105  85,545  
   Crop research and development  6,670  132,203  
      Agricultural and horticultural services  .. 35,188  
      Banana breeding  6,670  87,015  
      Protection of Jamaica's plant g enetic resources for food and 
nutrition security  .. 10,000  
   Plant protection and apiculture (epidemiology and surveillance)  69 45,354  
   Post-entry plant quarantine   .. 14,167  
   
Capital A    
Agriculture, forestry and fishing  529,191  2,827,269  
   Agricultural extension services (crop/livestock production)  424,747  439,000  
      Farm roads project  217,734  250,000  
      Production incentive programme  207,013  189,000  
   Agro industries (sugar industry transformation)  104,444  2,388,269  
   
Capital B       56,927  767,519  
Agriculture, forestry and fishing  34,882  657,092  
   Agricultural extension services (crop/livestock production)  33,782  644,153  
     Agricultural Competitiveness Programme  30,000  465,789  
      Diversification of the Caribbean Lives tock Sector through the 
Production of Small Ruminants  3,050  34,769  
      Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAMS)  732 143,595  
   Fisheries  1,100  12,939  
Protection of biodiversity and landscape  22,045  110,427  
   
Capital B projects and funding agen cies 2016/17    
Project   Agency  
Agricultural Competitiveness Programme  465,789  Inter-American 
Development Bank  
Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock Sector through the Production 
of Small Ruminants  34,769  Caribbean 
Development Bank 
(CDB), 
Commonweal th 
Fund for Technical 
Co-operation 
(CFTC)  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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   2015/16  
revised 
estimates  2016/17  
estimates  
Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas  110,427  Adaptation Fund 
(AF), 
Government of 
Jamaica  
Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAMS)  143,595  EU 
Promotion of Community -Based Clim ate Resilience in the Fisheries 
Sector  12,939  International Bank 
for Reconstruction 
and Development  
Total  767,519   
.. Not available.  
a Capital A refers to domestically financed capital expenditure.  
b Capital B refers to multilateral/bilateral projects.   
Source:  Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, 2016-2017 Jamaica Budget, Estimates of Expenditure 
(net of appropriations -in-aid). Viewed at: http://ww w.mof.gov.jm/downloads/budgets/eoe/  
Estimates_of_Expenditure_2016 -2017.pdf  [27 January 2017].  
4.18.   Jamaica also grants other incentives to encourage agricultural production , includ ing a 20% 
duty concession on imports of certain categories of vehicles for farme rs, and  for companies 
involved in hatching eggs and fish farming.7 The tax relief for agro -industrial products and 
exemptions (from income tax and duties for 5 to 10 years on a renewable basis) was ceased.  
4.1.4   Key subsectors  
4.19.   Sugar cane is the largest and most  important crop in Jamaica. Jamaica, and other African, 
Caribbean and Pacific ( ACP) countries, used to export sugar to Europe at a set price under the 
Lomé/Cotonou Sugar Protocol until 2009. After that  date, under the EPA regime, guaranteed prices 
for suga r exports to the EU  market were reduced but maintained until September 2012, and limits 
on imports by the EU  were applied until  1 October 2015. On that date , the Sugar Protocol was 
replaced by a non -reciprocal duty -free and quota -free preferential trading system. Since then, 
Jamaica exports sugar to the EU  market duty free and quota free.  
4.20.   The SIA may determine import quantit ies for marketing agents as and when the necessity 
arises. It is involved in the arbitration of all disputes regarding formulae for pr oducer pricing, cane 
quality, and meeting quotas set up by importing partners (there is no longer a quota to the EU, 
and the quota to the United States is 11,500 tonnes annually) . The SIA is also responsible for:  the 
registration and licensing of cane grow ers; the gathering, collating, analysing, and disseminating 
of industry and world sugar data; and the sale of Jamaican raw sugar and molasses through its 
agents, Jamaica Cane Products Sales Ltd., Golden Grove and Pan Caribbean.8 
4.21.   The decline in banana produ ction in 2013 was due to the lagged effect of hurricane Sandy 
(October 2012). The hurricane destroyed approximately 66% of the banana crops, which require a 
gestation period of 9 -12 months. Banana production went up in 2015; the authorities indicated 
that the increase was attributed to the Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAMS) 
programme9, which provides farmers with: training and technology transfer in various aspects of 
production and post -harvest management; extension support; and support to attain  GLOBALGAP 
certification.  
4.22.   Both production and exports  of coffee  fell in 2012 -13, reflecting: continued low demand  
associated with  unstable market conditions , late payment by marketing companies , as well as the 
effects of  the Coffee Leaf Rust Disease which reduced yields of bearing trees. Mainly due to this 
disease, in 2014, coffee output sank to its  lowest level since 1988 (5,298  tonnes).  
                                                
7 UNCTAD (2015), Trade Policy Framework: Jamaica . Viewed at: 
http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ditctncd2013d9_en. pdf [11 January 2017].  
8 TPR of Jamaica 2011.  
9 The Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) are a support package provided by the EU for 10 banana -
exporting countries from the ACP group, for them to adapt to the liberalization of the EU banana regime . 
Viewed o nline at: https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sectors/food -and-agriculture/sustainable -agriculture -and-
rural-development/bam_en  [27 January 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.23.   The output level of cocoa, citrus, and coconut varied significantly during the review period, 
affected mainly by weather  conditions (hurricane, drought) and diseases (Citrus Greening Disease, 
and Lethal Yellowing Disease of coconuts).  
4.24.   Regarding livestock production, the re was an  increase in beef and veal production  during 
the review period, which  may be attributed to renewe d efforts by producers, while poultry 
production grew as a result of increased demand from consumers. Production of inland fish 
increased by 43% in 2016, pork by 39.8%, and goats' meat by 20%. On the other hand, 
production of mutton declined  by 33% (Table 4.5). 
Table 4.5 Livestock production, 2011 -16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Livestock slaughter (heads)        
Cattle  21,218  21,495  20,790  22,455  27,724  27,563  
Hogs  108,961  142,716  108,936  111,792  101,834  129,559  
Goats  56,498  54,694  52,682  55,201  56,728 60,074  
Sheep  852 1,296  1,144  890 712 602 
Meat, fish and dairy        
Beef and veal (000 kg)  5,621  5,800  6,221  6,196  7,523  7,712  
Pork (000 kg)  7,110  9,490  8,998  8,185  7,049  9,857  
Goats' meat (000 kg)  1,316  1,094  929 902 888 1,069  
Mutton (000 kg)  23 32 24 22 18 12 
Poultry (000 kg)  101,526  102,167  101,933  110,502  112,855  125,992  
Fish (inland) and shrimp (tonnes)  1,150  644 836 698 646 927 
Fish (marine) (tonnes)  14,208  10,494  14,263  11,256  12,961  .. 
Eggs (million)  137.5  170.2  125.0  121.9  150.0  174.3 
Milk (million litres)  12.4 12.9 12.3 11.9 11.9 12.1 
.. Not available.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.2  Mining and Energy  
4.2.1   Mining and quarrying  
4.2.1.1   Overview  
4.25.   Jamaica's merchandise exports are dominated by mining and quarrying products, an d 
alumina: in 2016, they accounted for 47% of total merchandise exports. The mineral industry, 
essentially consisting of bauxite mining and refining of bauxite into alumina, has been moving up 
the value chain as the share of bauxite processed into alumina has been increasing (Table 4.6). 
Total earnings from alumina exports represented 80% of the earnings from the bauxite/alumina 
industry. In 2016, its main export markets were: Canada, the Netherlands, the Russian 
Federation, the United States, and Iceland.  
4.26.   In the 2013 -16 period , alumina production remained relatively stable , reaching  1.86 million 
tonnes  in 2016  (Table 4.6). The output of crude bauxite declined by 25%  between 2015 and 2016 , 
and the shipment of crude bauxite decreased by 24% . Both declines  were a direct result of the 
curtailment of alumina production at the Sherwin refinery in the United States after it filed for 
bankruptcy in 2016.  
Table 4.6 Production and export of bauxite and alumina (MT), 2011 -16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Production        
Alumina  1,959,928  1,720,453  1,854,910  1,850,960  1,864,643  1,865,278  
Total bauxite  10,188,913  9,289,040  9,435,214  9,676,697  9,628,818  8,540,131  
  Bauxite equivalent of alumina  5,076,885  4,529,393  4,746,886  4,858,633  4,812,198  4,943,216  
  Crude bau xite 5,112,028  4,759,647  4,688,328  4,818,064  4,816,620  3,596,915  
Export        
Alumina  1,959,238  1,753,505  1,901,753  1,823,485  1,936,228  1,833,890  
Total bauxite  disposed  10,217,867  9,372,801  9,573,399  9,597,408  9,555,060 8,315,813 
  Bauxite equivalent o f alumina  5,074,404  4,613,154  4,866,024  4,784,867  4,997,012  4,860,411  
  Crude bauxite  5,143,463  4,759,647  4,707,375  4,812,541  4,558,048 3,455,402 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Source:  Jamaica Bauxite Institute.  
4.27.   Around 40% of  the bauxite mined in Jamaica is shipped to the United Stat es for processing. 
The rest is processed locally in two alumina refineries: Windalco and Jamalco (Table 4.7). Bauxite 
mining and refining is a capital -intensive industry.10 
Table 4.7 Bauxite and alumina industry structure, 2016  
Company  Operations  Ownership  Capacity  Situation in mid -2016  
Alumina 
Partners of 
Jamaica 
(Alpart)  Mining operations in 
Manchester and St. 
Elizabeth; and shipping 
alumina from Port  Kaiser  JISCo: 100%  1.7 million 
tonnesa UC Rusal sold its 100% 
stake to JISCo; 
rehabilitation ongoing for  
reopening in mid -2017 
Jamalco  Mining bauxite in 
Manchester  and 
Clarendon ; refining 
alumina at Halse Hall 
(Clarendon); and 
shipping alumina at 
Rocky Point Port 
(Clarendon)  Nobel Group: 
55%;   
Government of 
Jamaica: 45%b 1.4 million 
tonnesb GOJ seeking to divest 
shares  
Noranda 
Bauxite Ltd.c The only company in 
Jamaica that exports raw 
bauxite ore, primarily to 
the Gramercy refinery in 
Louisiana . The company 
discontinued shipment to  
Sherwin Alumina in 
Texas , after the refinery 
filed for bankruptcy . It 
ships bauxite from Port 
Rhoades in Discovery 
Bay New Day 
(Jamaica) Ltd.: 
49%;   
Government of 
Jamaica: 51%  5.5 million 
tonnes  Noranda sold its 49% 
stake to DaDa Holding  
West Indies 
Alumina 
Company 
(WINDALCO)  Mining and refinery 
operations in 
Manchester, and 
St. Catherine  UC Rusal: 100%  0.7 million 
tonnesd Kirkvine plant remains 
closed  
a Can be expanded to 2  million tonnes per year.  
b Clarendon Alumina Production (CAP) manages the Government's 45% interest in Jamalco.  
c Formerly St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners  (SAJBP).  
d Reflects only the capacity of Ewarton Works.  
Source:  Jamaica Bauxite Institute; and WTO Secretariat.  
4.28.   The Government is involved in commercial mining activities through  two publicly owned 
companies that operate on a commercial basis:  
a. The Jamaic a Bauxite Mining Company (JBM) , which  was set up to hold the assets 
acquired from partnerships or joint ventures11; and  
b. CAP Limited , which  was set up to hold and manage the Government's 50% share of the 
Jamalco operation with Alcoa. CAP's share of the join t venture was 45% in 2016.  
4.29.   The Government has committed to divesting itself of its interest in the sector. In 2014, the 
Government diversified its 7% stakes in Ewarton Works and Kirkvine refinery to UC Rusal.  
4.30.   Products extracted in the mining sector in Ja maica include metallic minerals (such as 
bauxite and gold), non -metallic minerals (clay, dolomite, gypsum, limestone, marble, sand and 
gravel, silica sand, volcanic rocks and shale), and semi -precious minerals. The Government is also 
seeking to take greate r advantage of other mineral resources, particularly those based on 
limestone, through the development of value added mineral -based manufacturing and services 
                                                
10 Jamaica Bauxite Institute online information. Viewed at: http://www.jbi.org.jm/statistics  [31 January 
2017].  
11 The Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company, which used to trade on behalf of the J BM, ceased 
operations in 2010.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  associated with the extraction and trading of minerals (e.g. professional and maintenance 
service s). 
4.2.1.2   Policy and institutional framework  
4.31.   Since the previous Review, there have been no major changes to the legislation regulating 
the mining sector. The main laws governing the mining industry are: the Mining Act, the Quarries 
Control Act and related regula tions, and the Minerals (Vesting) Act.  
4.32.   The Government prepared a Mining and Quarrying Sector Plan in 2009.12 The Plan 
articulated steps towards developing Jamaica's mineral sector into a world -class sector to increase 
the value of the nation's mineral reso urces through responsible environmental stewardship.  
4.33.   In 2014, steps were taken to draft a National Mineral Policy for Jamaica. The Ministry of 
Transportation and Mining is in the process of reviewing the document with expected submission 
to Cabinet in 2017 . The Policy is said to establish the framework for sustainability within the 
mining sector, and creates the doorway for establishing an efficiently regulated sector that is able 
to contribute more significantly to national development with increased compe titiveness in the 
global market. Among the primary objectives of the Policy are: a modernized mineral sector; 
increased efficiency; a stronger legislative and regulatory framework; and increased investment.  
4.34.   Under the Ministry of Transport and Mining, the M ines and Geology Division (MGD) has the 
statutory responsibility to exercise general supervision over all prospecting, mining and quarrying 
operations throughout Jamaica. In addition, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute advises the Government 
on all aspects of t he bauxite industry, and monitors the implementation of industry -related 
policies. It also conducts technical and economic research.   
4.35.   Jamaica's applied tariff rate for bauxite (HS 251110, HS 251120) is 0%, while that for 
alumina (HS 281820) is 15%. This p ositive tariff escalation reflects the intention to encourage 
local processing. Exports of ores, minerals and metal (including bauxite, alumina and gypsum) are 
subject to licensing requirements (Table 3.9 ). 
4.36.   The mining sector is subject to a quarry tax, roy alties, and a bauxite levy. Incentives for the 
mining sector are based on the Bauxite and Alumina Industries Encouragement Act, and the 
Petroleum Refinery Encouragement Act ; they include : 
a. import duty concessions and tax exemptions for any business engaged in mining 
activities on capital equipment, lubricating oils, greases, blasting materials and 
chemicals and other materials (except petrol) necessary for the treating and 
transportation of bauxite; and  
b. tax exemptions (relief from customs duties and general consumption tax) for oil 
refineries on imported articles used in the construction, manufacturing and operation of 
refineries.  
4.37.   Despite all the government support, the mining and quarry sector has been affected by: a 
lack of necessary infrastructure (particu larly the high cost of energy); a lack of access to credit; 
and limited backward or forward integration with the rest of the economy. The Government is 
encouraging the reduction of energy costs, and the refinement of more minerals locally, through: 
cost-efficient energy solutions, encouraging investment in capacity expansion and reconfiguring 
technical capabilities.  
4.2.2   Energy – electricity  
4.2.2.1   Regulatory framework  
4.38.   In 2015, the Electricity Act was promulgated; it replaced the 125 -year-old Electric Lighting 
Act 18 90, the Electricity (Frequency Conversion) Act, and the Electricity Development Act. 
According to Vision 2030, the new Act consolidated and modernized the laws relating to the 
                                                
12 Mining and Quarrying Sector Plan 2009 -2013 (2009).  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  generation, transmission, distribution, supply, dispatch, and use of electricity .13 The Medium -Term 
Socio -economic Policy Framework (MTF) 2015 -2018 focuses on strengthening the institutional, 
legal and policy framework for energy production and diversification of energy resources, as well 
as the promotion of renewable energy and energy  efficiency and conservation efforts.  
4.39.   The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) is responsible for, inter alia : 
encouraging private sector innovation in the energy sector; leading legal and regulatory reform; 
improving national energy efficien cy and conservation; increasing the percentage of electricity 
generated from renewable sources, thus reducing dependence on imported fuels and increasing 
Jamaica's energy security; and issuing licences for various activities. The MSET issued a National 
Energy Policy 2009 -2030, which identified priority areas such as improving energy supply security; 
modernizing the energy infrastructure; developing renewable energy; and promoting eco -
efficiency in industries.14 The MSET is preparing an Integrated Resource Pl an, based on which a 
Generation Procurement Entity will procure additional generation capacity for the grid.  
4.40.   Under the Electricity Act 2015 and the Office of Utilities Regulation Act, the Office of Utilities 
Regulation (OUR) is in charge of regulating the  electricity sector generally, including setting rates 
and ensuring acceptable service quality in relation to regulated utility services.  
4.41.   The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), a private company, remains a vertically 
integrated monopoly governed by the 2016 JPS Electricity Licence, and has the exclusive right to 
transmit, distribute, and supply electricity throughout Jamaica until 2027.15 OUR indicates that the 
Electricity Act 2015 implicitly suggested the unbundling of the electricity sector, through the  
issuance of separate licences for the different segments (generation, transmission, distribution, 
dispatch, and supply). The Electricity Act currently designates JPS as the single buyer and system 
operator. JPS's audited financial statement indicates that  the company is making profits.  
4.2.2.2   Main development s 
4.42.   Jamaica has made significant progress in the past decade in increasing access to electricity, 
which now reaches 92% of the population.16 Progress has also been made to reduce energy prices 
– particularly ele ctricity prices – to lower the burden for business development in Jamaica. 
Jamaica's average electricity tariff was lowered from US$0.39 per kWh in 2012 to US$0.22 per 
kWh in 2016, which falls in the middle of the regional range: Barbados's US$0.20 per kWh , St 
Lucia's US$0.28 per kWh, and Grenada's US$0.28 per kWh.  
4.43.   The Government has been making efforts to lower generation costs , which  still depend on 
old, inefficient oil -fired generating plants, as well as to reduc e the elevated levels of energy losses 
including from theft. Jamaica is contemplating a fuel diversification strategy which includes the 
replacement of aged and inefficient oil -fired baseload steam generating units with more modern 
and efficient generation facilities that would operate on natural  gas. As part of the strategy, in 
2015, Jamaica made provisions for the reconfiguration of the JPS Bogue Combined -Cycle Gas 
Turbine (CCGT) Unit (114 MW) to enable it to operate on natural gas. This project was completed 
in December 2016. The Old Harbour Pl ant, which is petroleum based, generates up to 213.5 MW of 
electricity for the national grid. This more -than-40-year-old plant is being replaced with a new 
LNG-fired plant, which will generate up to 192.3 MW of electricity.  
4.44.   JPS has access to approximately 940 MW of functional generation capacity, of which 571 
MW is generated by itself, and 368 MW by independent power producer (IPPs) (Table 4.8). JPS 
generates electricity using: steam (oil -fired), simple -cycle gas (combustion) turbines, CCGT, slow 
speed dies el (SSD), hydropower,17 and wind. The IPPs that sell electricity to JPS include: Jamaica 
Energy Partners (JEP), Jamaica Private Power Company (JPPC), Jamalco, West Kingston Power 
                                                
13 Vision 2030 Progress Report. Viewed at:  http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/Portals/0/Progress_Reports/  
Update%20on%20Vision%202030%20Jamaica%20 -%20September%2025,%202016.pdf  [10 November 
2016].  
14 MSET online information. Viewed at: http://mset.gov.jm/energy -policies -glance  [1 February 2017].  
15 IMF, Working Paper WP/16/53 (2016),  Caribbean Energy: macro -related challenges . Viewed at: 
http://www.imf.org/exter nal/pubs/cat/longres.aspx?sk=43776.0  [16 January 2017].  
16 IMF, Working Paper WP/16/53 (2016),  Caribbean Energy: macro -related challenges . Viewed at: 
http://www.imf.org/external/pu bs/cat/longres.aspx?sk=43776.0  [16 January 2017].  
17 JPS has five functional hydropower plants, with a generation capacity of 22 MW.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Partners (WKPP), Wigton Windfarm Limited (WWFL), BMR Jamaica Wind (BMRJW), and  Content 
Solar Limited (CSL).  
Table 4.8 Functional generation capacity of the electricity system  
Owner/Operator  Type  Installed capacity (functional) (MW)  
Total   938.73  
  JPS   570.57  
  IPPs   368.16  
    IPPs (firm capacity)   249.86  
    JEP  Medium sp eed diesel (MSD)  124.36  
    JPPC SSD 60.00  
    WKPPa MSD 65.50  
    JAMALCOb Steam  00.00  
    IPPs (as -available energy)   118.30  
    WWFLc  Wind power  62.70  
    BMRd Wind power  36.30  
    Content Solare Solar PV  20.00  
a In 2012, the WKPP generation p lant, based on MSD engine technology and operating on heavy fuel 
oil (HFO), was commissioned, which added 65.5 MW of firm capacity to the grid. WKPP has a 20 -
year power purchase agreement with JPS.  
b Contracted for 11 MW. Capacity constraints due to altere d configuration.  
c WWFL currently owns and operates three wind generation facilities supplying a total of 62.7 MW of 
contracted capacity to JPS' system, subject to a 20 -year power purchasing agreement (PPA). The 
most recent facility was commissioned in 201 6.  
d The 36.3 MW wind generation facility, owned and operated by BMRJW, was commissioned in 2016 to 
supply energy to the system under a 20 -year PPA.  
e The 20 MW solar PV facility, owned and operated by CSL, was commissioned in 2016 to supply 
energy to th e system under a 20 -year PPA.  
Source:  Information provided by OUR.  
4.45.   The renewable energy contribution to the total energy supply mix has increase d in the last 
decade : from 5% in 2007 to 7.84% in 2016,18 due to the addition of a number of renewable 
energy ge neration facilities to the system, namely: Wigton II (18 MW – wind) in 2010, JPS 
Constant Spring Hydro (0.8 MW – hydro) in 2009 (recommissioning), JPS Munro Wind Farm (3 MW 
– wind) in 2010, JPS Maggotty Hydro (6.37 MW – hydro) in 2014, Wigton III (24 MW – wind) in 
2016, BMR (36 MW – wind) in 2016, and Cotent Village (20 MW – solar) in 2016. The Government 
introduced other initiatives to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, such as 
the full roll -out of ethanol blended with gasoline in 20 09. Jamaica has approximately 151.1 MW of 
renewable energy capacity from hydro, solar and wind power plants. In addition, a licence was 
given to Eight Rivers Energy Company in 2016 to supply up to 37 MW of electricity from a solar 
photovoltaic plant; it is  planned to be commissioned in December 2018.  
4.2.2.3   Electricity tariff s 
4.46.   Electricity tariffs are determined by, inter alia , the JPS energy rate, and the "Fuel & IPP" 
charge. The energy (or non -fuel) rate is fixed by OUR at Rate Reviews held every five years. Rat es 
are adjusted annually in accordance with the annual Performance -Based Rate Making (PBRM) 
mechanism stipulated by the JPS licence to capture the effects of inflation and measure JPS's 
performance against pre -determined efficiency targets.  
4.47.   The "Fuel & IP P" charge is a monthly charge expressed in US cents per kWh or the 
equivalent Jamaican dollars per kWh, reflecting an aggregation of total fuel costs and an IPP 
surcharge. Fuel costs are by far the greatest component of the "Fuel & IPP" charge, representin g 
the total cost of fuel for producing and delivering each kWh of electricity in a given month. They 
include: the cost of fuel consumed in JPS's generating units for the production of electricity; and 
the cost of fuel in JPS's purchased energy from IPPs. T he IPP charge is a surcharge payable by the 
JPS. 
                                                
18 The MSET stated that recently energy generated from renewable sources reached 10.5% of net 
electricity generation.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.3  Manufacturing  
4.48.   The manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP remained at around 8.5% during the review 
period (Table 4.9). In 2016, the sector generated employment for 6.6% of the total labour force, 
down sl ightly from 7% in 2012.  
4.49.   The manufacturing sector is divided into two main categories: traditional and non -
traditional. According to the authorities' definition, traditional manufactured goods include sugar, 
rum, citrus, coffee and cocoa products. Non -traditional goods include food, beverages and tobacco 
(excluding rum), crude materials (inedible) and other materials (mineral fuels, and animal and 
vegetable oils and fats), chemicals (including ethanol), manufactured goods, machinery and 
transport equipment,  wearing apparel, furniture and other domestic exports. The authorities stated 
that, as Jamaica is located at the hub of air and sea routes in the Northern Caribbean, the country 
is ideally placed for export -oriented manufacturing and assembly operations.  
4.50.   Studies indicate that t he development of the manufacturing sector  in Jamaica  was 
negatively  affected by : weak external and internal demand ; low labour productivity ; high costs of 
energy, capital, and transport ; burdenso me import and export procedures;  and the high cost of 
compliance with product and process standards.19 Under the framework of Vision 2030 and the 
MTF 2015 -18, MICAF implements policies and programmes for the manufacturing industry, aimed 
at improving the business environment, providing instit utional support and capacity building, and 
increasing competitiveness to facilitate higher production and exports. After a number of years of 
contraction, value added of the manufacturing sector grew by 3. 6% in 2015 and 0.2% in  2016, 
facilitated by reduced  electricity costs as well as lower crude oil prices on the international market.  
Table 4.9 Manufacturing sector indicators, 2011 -16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Share of GDP (%)  8.5 8.6 8.5 8.4 8.6  8.5 
Growth rate (%)  1.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.8 3.6 0.2 
Export values (US$ million)  1,267.3  1,155.5  1,155.1  1,130.0  978.3  879.6  
Share of total merchandise exports (%)  78.1 67.5 73.6 77.8 77.5 73.2 
Import values (US$ million)  5,015.1  5,100.8  4,894.6  4,713.3  3,962.2  3,782.1  
Share of total merchandise imports (%)  77.9 77.5 78.7 80.8 79.4 79.3 
Trade balance (US$ million)  -3,747.8  -3,945.3  -3,739.5  -3,583.3  -2,983.8  -2,902.5  
Employment  74,767  76,950  71,875  72,900  72,975  78,567  
Share of employed labour force (%)  6.9 7.0 6.5 6.5 6.4 6.6 
Source:  UN COMTRADE; Jamai ca Manufacturers' Association Limited, AGM Economic Review 2014 . Viewed 
at: http://jma.com.jm/jma_/home_.php?id=38&headingID=28&headingMain=24&pop=1'&link = 
[1 February 2017]; Planning Institute of Jamaica, Selected Indicators 2012 -2016. Viewed at: 
http://www.pioj.gov.jm/Portals/0/Economic_Sector/Selected%20Indicators%2 02016.pdf  [28 June 
2017]; and information provided by the  Statistical Institute of Jamaica and other  authorities.  
4.51.   MICAF has responsibility for guiding the development of the manufacturing sector. Other 
relevant agencies include: the Bureau of Standards, the Companies Office of Jamaica, the Jamaica 
Customs Agency, the Fair Trading Commission, the Anti -Dumping and Subsidies Commission, 
JAMPRO, the Trade Board, the JIPO, and the Cannabis Licensing Authority (for medical marijuana 
and hemp). The Jamaica Manuf acturers' Association is the main industrial association.  
4.52.   A number of incentives had been granted to the manufacturing sector in the form of income 
tax and import tariff exemptions or reductions.20 The authorities stated that the effects of these 
incentive  schemes, "with the exception of the export free zones", were questionable. Pursuant to 
the WTO Decision taken in 2007, the export contingent requirements of four of the incentive 
programmes were required to be phased out by 31 December 2015. The promulgat ion of the 2014 
Omnibus Incentives legislation, which provides for non -sectoral fiscal incentives aimed at 
increasing business competitiveness, repealed the long -standing incentives and removed 
discretionary waivers. It increased transparency in the proces s of granting incentives. The 
incentives granted to the manufacturing sector under this new scheme include GCT deferrals and 
import tariff exemptions (Section 2.4.2).  
                                                
19 UNCTAD (2015), Trade Policy Framework: Jamaica . Viewed at: http://unctad.org/en/  
PublicationsLibrary/ditctncd2013d9_en.pdf  [11 January 2017].  
20 TPR of Jamaica (2011), p. 70.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.4  Services  
4.53.   Services are the main contributor to the economy, accounting for over 70 % of GD P.21 The 
main subsectors in terms of their contribution to GDP were: wholesale and retail trade; 
government services; real estate, renting and business activities; transport, storage and 
communications; other services; finance and insurance ; and hotels and restaurants.  
4.54.   Based on data provided by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, t he services sector grew at 
an annual average rate of 5. 8% between 2011 and 201 6, with hotels and restaurants registering 
the highest averaging growth rates ( 7.5%). Around 67% of  the workforce was employed in the 
tertiary sector. Jamaica's trade in services balance was positive throughout the review period 
(Table 1.2).  
4.55.   Since 2011, apart from one notification on contact enquiry points (S/ENQ/78/Rev.14, 25 
October 2013 ), Jamaica has  not made any notifications to the WTO regarding the GATS, nor has it 
made any conditional offers. Jamaica participated in the extended negotiations on basic 
telecommunications and financial services, and presented offers in both negotiations. Jamaica 
deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Fifth Protocol to the GATS in 2012.22 
4.56.   Under GATS, Jamaica scheduled horizontal commitments on commercial presence and the 
presence of natural persons for all sectors included in its Schedule.23 In its Schedule of Spe cific 
Commitments, Jamaica maintains no market access restrictions with respect to commercial 
presence, as total foreign ownership is allowed in all sectors with the exception of the preference 
for joint ventureships in certain professional services.24 Its list of Article II (MFN) exemptions are:  
a. For all sectors, a work permit requirement waiver for citizens of CARICOM countries; and  
b. For maritime transport, cargo reservation under the UN Convention on a Code of 
Conduct on Liner Conferences.25  
4.4.1   Financial servi ces 
4.4.1.1   Institutional framework  
4.57.   The BOJ is responsible for promoting and maintaining financial system stability.26 It 
supervises deposit -taking institutions (DTIs) under the Bank of Jamaica Act as well as entities 
operating under the Banking Services Act (2014) . These include:  
a. DTIs: commercial banks, merchant banks, and building societies;  
b. Money services businesses: cambios , bureaux de change, remittance companies;   
c. Credit bureaus; and  
d. Financial holding companies (FHCs) under which entities including DTIs are h eld. 
4.58.   Credit unions have been designated by the Minister of Finance as "specified financial 
institutions", as a preliminary step towards placing these institutions under the supervisory 
oversight of the BOJ.  
4.59.   Non-deposit -taking financial institutions supervi sed by the Financial Services Commission 
(FSC) are: insurance companies; insurance intermediaries; securities firms/dealers; and 
administrators and investment managers of pension plans. The FSC also regulates and supervises 
pension plans and collective inv estment schemes (unit trusts and mutual funds). The Financial 
Regulatory Council is responsible for facilitating information sharing among the BOJ, the FSC, the 
                                                
21 Planning Institute of Jamaica, Selected Indicators 2012 -2016. Viewed at: 
http://www.pioj.gov.jm/Portals/0/Economic_Sector/Overview%202016.pdf  [28 June 2017].  
22 WTO online in formation. Viewed at: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/  
wto_status_legal_inst15_e.pdf  [13 June 2017].  
23 WTO document GATS/SC/45, 15 April 1994.  
24 WTO docume nt GATS/SC/45, 15 April 1994.  
25 WTO document GATS/EL/45, 15 April 1994.  
26 BOJ online information. Viewed at: http://www.boj.org.jm/financial_sys/index.php  [6 February 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation (JDIC), and other relevant institutions. The JDIC carries  
out a deposit insurance scheme to protect depositors from loss up to a specified limit (J$  600,000 
per depositor, per insured institution).  
4.60.   In the securities market , the Jamaica Stock Exchange , which  allows for the trading of 
ordinary shares, preference s hares and corporate bonds , regulates the listing on its exchange and 
has rules on how to list a company . The Jamaica Stock Exchange  has an electronic trading 
platform with modern clearance arrangements through the Jamaica Central Securities Depository.  
4.4.1.2   Legislative framework  
4.61.   A number of laws were promulgated, amended, or revised during the review period, notably 
the Banking Services Act (BSA) and the Bank of Jamaica Act.  
4.4.1.2.1   Banking Services Act  
4.62.   The BSA (2014), which became effective on 30 September 2015, conso lidated three 
deposit -taking statutes: the Banking Act, the Financial Institutions Act, and the Bank of Jamaica 
(Building Societies) Regulations, into one law. It serves to further strengthen oversight of the 
deposit -taking financial sector and achieve gre ater conformity with the Basel Core Principles (BCP). 
Major enhancements include:  
a. Supervisory autonomy: consistent with the IMF and BCP recommendations on 
supervisory independence, the BSA transferred certain supervisory power from the 
Minister of Finance  to the "Supervisor" and the "Supervisory Committee (SC)". It 
contains provisions which: strengthen the governance and accountability structure of the 
Supervisory Authority; prescribe the establishment of an independent Supervisory 
Appeals Board (SAB); and  codify timelines for supervisory determinations in relation to 
new businesses or products, new delivery channels for existing businesses or products, 
strategic alliances, joint ventures and co -branding initiatives.  
b. Consolidated supervision framework: und er this framework each financial group to which 
a deposit -taking institution (DTI) belongs is required to structure itself to facilitate 
effective consolidated supervision and establish a financial holding company (FHC) which 
is to be licensed by the BOJ. Each FHC has the responsibility to ensure that the financial 
group is adequately capitalized on a consolidated basis, and is subject to effective group -
wide governance and risk management.  
c. Agent banking framework: a framework for DTIs to extend certain ba nking services to 
their customers through agents authorized by the Supervisory Authority.  
d. Enforceable Code of Conduct: a code of conduct for DTIs, outlining their responsibilities 
for customers (e.g. disclosure of relevant information regarding product and  service 
offerings; fees and charges; and resolution of customer complaints).  
4.63.   The BOJ administers the Banking Services Act (BSA) through its Supervisory Committee 
(SC) and undertakes its expanded role of supervisory and financial system stability oversight , in 
collaboration with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Jamaica Deposit Insurance 
Corporation (JDIC), in the statutory committees (the Financial System Stability Committee (FSSC), 
and the Financial Regulatory Committee (FRC)).  
a. The Supervis ory Committee (SC) is responsible for the administration of the BSA which 
includes determining the granting, refusal and revocation of licences, among other 
matters.  
b. The FSSC is tasked with providing oversight to the BOJ's risk assessment, coordinating 
required policy measures, and communicating with the public to safeguard the stability 
of the financial system.  
c. The FRC was established to facilitate information sharing, coordination and cooperation 
among regulatory authorities to strengthen the financial sy stem. The FRC replaced the 
Financial Regulatory Council, which was established in 2000.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.4.1.2.2   Bank of Jamaica Act  
4.64.   The Bank of Jamaica Act was amended in October 2015. Main amendments include:  
a. The Supervisor  assumes temporary management of a DTI if the BOJ believ es that such a 
DTI is/appears unlikely to meet its obligations;  
b. The BOJ may assess fines for specific offences under the Banking Services Act and the 
Financial Institutions Act;  
c. The BOJ may require a DTI to legally separate its banking operations from its securities -
trading activities and investment activities undertaken on behalf of its clients;  
d. The BOJ may carry out consolidated supervision of banks and other companies if they 
are all members of a group; and  
e. The BOJ may require a bank to broaden informati on disclosure regarding the types of 
cases concerning specific customer accounts.  
4.65.   The Act also mandated the establishment of a Financial System Stability Committee (FSSC).  
4.4.1.2.3   Other legislation  
4.66.   The proposed BOJ (Credit Unions) Regulations, which , as at June 2 017, were still being 
reviewed, are expected to result in the BOJ proceeding with the licencing of credit unions. 
Important features include prescribed criteria covering capital adequacy, liquid assets, credit 
limits, non -accrual and provisioning requireme nts, submission of financial statements and 
minimum solvency standards. In addition, all volunteers, managers and key employees are to be 
assessed as "fit and proper" persons for credit unions, while provisions will be in place for the 
supervisor to addres s cases of unsafe and unsound practices or insolvency. Savings in credit 
unions are to be covered by the Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation (JDIC) up to the 
prescribed limit.  
4.67.   The Government is proposing the enhancement of microcredit legislation for pri vate money 
lending institutions, with the intention of improving transparency, consumer protection and 
reducing the risk of this industry being used as a vehicle for money laundering. The BOJ is 
undertaking a comprehensive re -drafting of regulations to pro vide specific legal guidelines for loan 
accounting, credit classification, and provisioning requirements for bad and doubtful debts. It has 
been preparing regulations on the qualifications of auditors, and on the supervisory regime of 
credit unions.  
4.68.   Jamai ca is participating in regional consultations aimed at finalizing the draft CARICOM 
Financial Services Agreement (CFSA). The CFSA is expected to play a critical role in the CSME 
(CARICOM Single Market and Economy) by facilitating the formation of a harmoni zed financial 
services market in the community.  
4.4.1.3   Overview  
4.69.   According to data provided by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, f inancial services 
contributed 8. 6% of GDP  (market price)  in 201 6, down from 8.9% in 2011. This sector provided 
employment for ab out 24,000 people (about 2% of the total employed labour force).27 Total assets 
accounted for 169% of GDP in 2015 (Table 4.10).  Jamaica was ranked 16th in the World Bank's 
Doing Business Report for ease of getting credit, among 190 countries.28  
                                                
27 Statistical Instit ute of Jamaica online information. Viewed at: http://statinja.gov.jm/  
LabourForce/NewLFS.aspx  [7 March 20 17]. 
28 World Bank (2017), Doing Business 2017 – Jamaica . Viewed at: http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/  
media/wbg/doingbusiness/documents/profiles/country/jam.pdf  [3 February 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 4.10 F inancial system structure, 2009, 2015, and 2016 (as at end -year)  
(J$ billion)  
 2009  2015  2016  
Commercial banks     
Number of institutions  7 6 6 
Total assets  583.1  896.9  1,038.8  
Percent share of total financial sector assets  32.9 35.2 36.8 
Merchant bank s    
Number of institutions  2 1 1 
Total assets  31.9 35.4 35.8 
Percent share of total financial sector assets  1.8 1.4 1.3 
Building societies     
Number of institutions  4 3 3 
Total assets  159.4  246.7  278.7  
Percent share of total financial sector assets  9.0 9.7 9.9 
Credit unions     
Number of institutions  47 34 34 
Total assets  56.5 89.0 95.6 
Percent share of total financial sector assets  3.2 3.5 3.4 
Financial houses and trust companies     
Number of institutions  1 1 1 
Total assets  1.5 1.6 1.8 
Perce nt share of total financial sector assets  0.1 0.1 0.1 
Life insurance companies     
Number of institutions  5 7 6 
Total assets  153.9  281.7  297.1  
Percent share of total financial sector assets  8.7 11.04  10.5 
Non-life insurance companies     
Number of inst itutions  12 10 11 
Total assets  44.7 64.9 70.7 
Percent share of total financial sector assets  2.5 2.5 2.5 
Unit trust funds     
Number of institutions  4 3 3 
Total assets  0.7 1.2 2.1 
Percent share of total financial sector assets  0.0 0.0 0.1 
Securities firms     
Number of institutions  29 29 29 
Total assets  512.5  530.2  550.8  
Percent share of total financial sector assets  28.9 20.8 19.5 
Pension funds     
Number of pension plans  787 801 802 
Number of institutions (investment managers)  28 26 26 
Total as sets 228.6  396.9  453.1  
Percent share of total financial sector assets  12.9 15.6 16.0 
Total assets  1,772.9  2,550.5  2,824.5  
Percent of GDP  166.4  169.4  .. 
.. Not available.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities; BOJ (2016), Annual Report 2015 . Viewed at: 
http://boj.org.jm/uploads/pdf/boj_annual/boj_annual_2015.pdf  [6 February 2017].  
4.70.   The financial sector  has remain ed relatively stable  during the review period. Although 
capital adequacy ratios (CARs) remained relatively flat, falling slightly from 15% in 2011 to 14.1%  
in 2016, non-performing loan ratio (NPLs over total loans) for commercial banks dec lined from 
8.7% in 2011 to 2.7% in 2016, resulting in improved asset qual ity (Table 4.11). Both the pre -tax 
profit margin and the return on average assets improved in 2016 , but were below the 2011 levels. 
On the other hand, despite improvements in financial intermediation, the interest -rate spread 
remains rather high. This, and  in particular the high average weighted loan rate, may partly 
explain why private sector credit as a share of GDP was lower in Jamaica than in comparable 
countries in the region.29 
                                                
29 IDB (2016), IDBG Country Strategy with Jamaica 2016 -2021, draft. Viewed at: 
http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=40713849  [8 November 2016]. Private sector 
credit as a share of GDP in 2015 was 30.4% in Jamaica, low er than in comparable countries such as the 
Bahamas (72.1%), LAC countries (55.2%), middle income countries (101.7%), or Caribbean small states 
(41%).  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table 4.11 Financial sector indicators (for commercial banks, merchant bank s and 
building societies), 2011 –16 
(Per cent)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Balance sheet growth (year on 
year)        
Capital base  5.3 2.1 21.2 7.1 11 16.4 
NPL 72.7 -9.9 -11 3.4 -12.8 -19.8 
Liquidity        Loans/deposits  68.6%  70.0%  72.9%  72.1%  70.5%  73.3%  
Asset quality        Provision for loan losses/NPLs  78.6 99.7 105 107.3  113.2  126.1  
NPLs to total loans  8.7 6.8 5.2 5.1 4.1 2.7 
Capital adequacy              
Capital base/total assets  10.4 9.9 10.7 10.2 10.2 10.3 
CAR 15 12.9 14 14.3 13.5 14.1 
Profitabilitya             
Pre-tax profit margin  32.6 21.6 17.3 17.9 20.6 29 
Return on average assets  4.5 2.6 2 2.1 2.2 3.4 
Interest rate spreadb             
Average weighted loan rate  19.41897  18.44231  17.49227  17.18428  16.92459  16.19642  
Average weigh ted deposit rate  2.443566  2.100299  2.040565  2.6396  1.62349  1.341571  
Overall spread  16.9754  16.34202  15.4517  14.54468  15.3011  14.85485  
a Figures are for the calendar quarters.  
b Commercial bank interest rate spread, December.  
Source:  Bank of Jamaica.  
4.71.   At the time of the previous TPR, Ponzi schemes were a threat to the integrity of financial 
markets in Jamaica.30 As a response to this threat, t he Securities Act was amended in 2013 to 
include provisions that:  
a. Prohibit schemes commonly known as "Ponzi" and "pyr amid";  
b. Enhance the enforcement and investigation capabilities of the FSC in relation to breaches 
of the Act or regulations under the Act; and  
c. Introduce additional remedial measures, such as restraint and production orders, that 
can be used by the FSC for t he benefit of investors.  
4.72.   In the context of the current review, t he authorities stated that  they did not consider  Ponzi 
games are to be a major threat to the financial markets in Jamaica.  
4.4.1.3.1   Banking  
4.73.   During the review period, one of the main challenges facing Jamaica's banking services was 
the de -risking by overseas correspondent banks. De -risking refers to the practice of ending 
banking relationships with clients or closing accounts deemed high risk, including when the 
earnings from such relationships are cons idered small in relation to the risk. As a result of de -
risking, several DTIs in Jamaica lost correspondent banking relationships; had restrictions imposed 
by their international correspondent bank on the types of customers and the types of products 
allowe d; or have encountered enhanced due diligence requirements. According to the authorities, 
these banks, however, were able to identify replacement correspondent banking relationships or 
have been using the banking relationships of other local banks. In this  context, the BOJ has 
enhanced reporting standards of local banks to facilitate ongoing assessments of their adherence 
to the due diligence requirements for cash transactions. Jamaica, alongside its CARICOM partners, 
has sought to highlight the impact of d e-risking and to identify the best means of addressing and 
mitigating its effects.  
                                                
30 WTO (2011), TPR of Jamaica 2011 . WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.4.1.3.1.1   Deposit -taking institutions (DTIs)  
4.74.   In 2016, there were 11 licensed DTIs operating in Jamaica: 6 commercial banks, 2 
merchant banks, and 3 building societies. The combined as sets of the DTIs recorded  a significant 
growth of 15.1% in 2016, much higher than the 9% growth in 2015 (Table 4.12). According to the 
BOJ Annual Report, the expansion primarily reflected increased loans (18.3% increase), 
investment securities (14.2%), and  cash and bank balances (16.4%). The major source of 
financing for the increase in assets were deposits (increased by 13.8%), followed by borrowings 
(32.8%) and shareholders' equity (11.6%).  
Table 4.12 Number and market share (assets) of licensed DTIs and of credit unions, 
2013 -16 
 2013  2014  2015  2016  
DTIs  J$ billion  % J$ billion  % J$ billion  % J$ billion  % 
Commercial banks  741 76 829 76 917 77 1059 77 
Merchant banks  25 23 31 3 30 2 38 3 
Building societies  212 21 230 21 247 21 279 20 
Total  978 100 1,090.9 100 1,194  100 1,375.9  100 
DTIs including credit unions  
Credit unions  77 7.3 82 7 89 6.9 95.6 6.5 
Combined total of DTIs  1,054  100 1,173  100 1,283  100 1,471.5  100 
Source:  Bank of Jamaica (2017), Annual Report 2016 . Viewed at: http://www.boj.org.jm/uploads/  
pdf/boj_annual/boj_annual_2016.pdf  [29 May 2017].  
4.75.   The six commercial banks are: Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (BNSJ), Citibank N.A., 
First Caribbean Internatio nal Bank (Jamaica) Limited, First Global Bank Limited, National 
Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ), and Sagicor Bank (Jamaica) Limited. Assets of the 
commercial banking subsector grew by 15.5% in 2016, and the market share of this sector 
increased from  76% in 2014, to 77% in 2015 and 2016. Two of the six commercial banks 
accounted for over 70% of the market (NCBJ and BNSJ).  
4.76.   Among the six commercial banks, five have foreign parents. Foreign and domestic banks are 
subject to the same licensing requirement s, as well as the same capital -fixed-asset and credit -limit 
exposures. No distinction is made between foreign and domestic banks regarding the services they 
can provide. Foreign banks may establish branches or subsidiaries in Jamaica. Foreign banks 
establi shing branches must satisfy a global minimum capital requirement in accordance with the 
BOJ Act, and the requirement is the same for foreign and domestic bank branches.  
4.77.   Merchant banks' assets increased by 26% in 2016, in contrast to a reduction of 2% in 20 15. 
The market share of the two merchant banks, JMMB Merchant Bank Limited, and MF&G Trust and 
Finance Limited, increased from 2.5% in 2015 to 2.8% in 2016.  
4.78.   The three building societies are: Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), Scotia Jamaica 
Buildin g Society, and Victoria Mutual Building Society. Notably, in September 2016, JMMB 
Merchant Bank Limited (JMMBMB) received supervisory approval from the BOJ to upgrade its 
existing licence to a commercial banking licence. The merchant bank joined the JNBS i n this 
transition, as the JNBS obtained Ministerial approval in September 2015 for its conversion into a 
commercial bank and the re -organization of the group. JNBS was upgraded to a commercial bank 
in February 2017 – Jamaica National Bank.  
4.79.   In 2016, credit  unions accounted for 6.5% of the assets held by the combined DTIs 
(including credit unions). The number of credit unions fell from 34 in 2015 to 32 in 2016, resulting 
from continued merger activities. Total assets increased by 7.4% to J$95.6 billion, with  asset 
expansion largely funded by the growth in the savings fund.  
4.4.1.3.1.2   Non-DTI financial institutions supervised by the BOJ  
4.80.   In addition to DTIs, the BOJ also supervises money services businesses such as cambios  
(foreign exchange traders) and remittance service s providers (RSPs). The focus is on ensuring the 
effectiveness of licensees' AML/CFT (anti -money laundering and combating the financing of 
terrorism) compliance programmes.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.81.   In 2016, one new cambio  licence was issued while seven were voluntarily surrendere d. This 
resulted in a decline in the total number of cambio  outlets from 150 at end -December 2015 to 144 
at end -December 2016. Four companies ceased offering cambio  services, resulting in a reduction 
in the number of cambio  entities from 61 in 2015 to 57 i n 2016 (Table 4.13). The number of RSPs 
(Primary Agents) increased from eight to nine during the same period. The number of licensed 
outlets increased to 422 at end -2016 compared to 402 at end -2015.  
Table 4.13 Status of cambios  and RSPs, as at 31 December 2016  
 2014  2015  2016  
Cambio s    
New locations licensed  5 3 1 
Locations closed  14 12 7 
Number of locations  159 150 144 
Number of companies  66 61 57 
Remittance services providers ( RSPs)     
New locations licensed  39 28 41 
Locations closed  82 27 21 
Number of locations  401 402 422 
New licences issued  69 131 82 
Licences relinquished/revoked  95 46 61 
Number of licences  573 658 679 
Number of primary agents  8 8 9 
Source:  BOJ (2017), Annual Report 2016 . Viewed at: 
http://www.boj.org.jm/uploads/pdf/boj_annual/boj_annual_2016.pdf  [29 May 2017].  
4.82.   RSPs continued to offer inbound, outbound, and intra -island services. Inbound remittances 
continued to flow mainly from: the United S tates, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Cayman 
Islands.  
4.4.1.3.1.3   International financial services  
4.83.   The Jamaica International Financial Services Authority (JIFSA) Act was promulgated in May 
2011,31 with the aim of establishing an authority to market Jamaica as a ce ntre for international 
financial and business services. The functions of JIFSA include: promoting the adoption and 
maintenance of international standards of competence; promoting compliance with supervisory 
and regulatory standards for the conduct of inter national financial services; and making 
recommendations for legislative changes where necessary.  
4.84.   JIFSA has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the legislative and regulatory 
framework to support Jamaica in becoming a well -regulated and transpare nt international financial 
jurisdiction. It has spearheaded the development of seven international financial services bills, 
three of which were passed by Parliament in January 2017: the Partnership (General) Act, the 
Partnership (Limited) Act, and the Int ernational Corporate and Trust Services Providers Act (ICTSP 
Act). The authorities stated that the International Business Companies Bill is to be passed by 
Lower House of Parliament (House of Representatives) in 2017.  
4.85.   The authorities consider that these le gislative enactments will form the core of Jamaica's 
international financial services regime. Both the Partnership (General) Act and the Partnership 
(Limited) Act contain provisions that ha d not previously existed in Jamaica, and provide for the 
creation o f business entities and investment vehicles to suit a wider variety of financial 
transactions. The ICTSP Act, which regulates international corporate and trust service providers, is 
a central component of the international financial services regime.  
4.4.1.3.2   Insur ance  
4.86.   The FSC supervises insurance companies and various types of insurance intermediaries 
including the six life insurance companies and the 11 general insurance companies (one in run -off 
mode) (Table 4.14). Gross premiums of both life and non -life insura nce sectors grew by 4% in 
2016 from the year before. The life and non -life sectors are concentrated; the three largest 
                                                
31 Jamaica International Financial Services Authority Act. Viewed at: http://moj.gov.jm/laws/jamaica -
international -financial -services -authority -act [10 February 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  companies in each sector accounted for about 84.8% in 2016 (82% in 2009 and 84% in 2015) and 
49.9% in 2016 (48% in 2009 and 51% in 2015) of their respective sector's assets, and final 
control of the life insurance business rests mainly abroad.  
Table 4.14 Insurance indicators  
 Registered at 
31 March 
2014  Registered at 
31 March 
2015  Registered at 
31 March 
2016  Registered at 
31 March 
2017  
Life insurance companies  6 7 7 6 
General insurance companies  10 10 11 11 
Association of underwriters  1 1 1 1 
Insurance brokers  25 26 27 27 
Facultative placement brokers  18 18 18 19 
Overseas reinsurance brokers  1 1 1 1 
Local reinsurance brokers  2 2 2 2 
Insurance agents  14 22 28 32 
Insurance sales representatives  2,917  3,095  3,220  3,301 
Loss adjusters  34 36 35 36 
Loss adjusters – employed practitioners  5 7 7 7 
Investigators  13 14 16 20 
Claim negotiators  6 7 7 7 
Insurance consultants  3 3 3 3 
Total   3,055  3,249  3,383  3,473  
 2015  2016  
Insurance indicators  Life insurance  
Gross premiums written (J$ M)  46,757.7  48,804.3  
Insurance penetration (%)  3.0 2.9 
Insurance density (J$)            17,134.3                  17,884.2  
  Non-life insurance  
Gross premiums written (J$ M)            38,720.6                  40,426.2  
Insurance penetration (%)  2.5 2.4 
Insurance density (J$)            14,189.1                  14,814.1  
Source:  FSC (2016), Annual Report 2015 -2016. Viewed at: http://www.fscjamaica.org/about -the-
fsc/content -1285.html  [9 February 2017]; and information provided by the authorities.  
4.87.   The insurance industry is regulated by the:  
a. Insurance Act 2001, amended in 2016;   
b. Insurance Regulations 2001, amended in 2004;  
c. Insurance (Actuaries) (Life Insurance Companies) Regulations 2001;  
d. Insurance (Actuaries) (General Insurance Companies) Regulations 2002, amended in 
2011; and  
e. Insurance (Prescribed Sum) Regulation 2004.  
4.88.   The I nsurance Act 2001 was amended in 2016 to keep pace with developments in the local 
and international insurance sectors, and to align with international standards. Main amendments 
include:  
a. enhanced disclosure requirements;  
b. clarified treatment of unclaimed be nefits;  
c. exemption of certain persons from the regulatory requirements under the Act;  
d. requirement for insurance companies to introduce and implement comprehensive risk 
management programmes including stress testing and asset liability management; and  
e. clarified priority for claims by policy holders in the event of the winding -up of an 
insurance company.  
4.89.   Jamaica is a member of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and 
the Caribbean Association of Insurance Regulators, which set guidelin es for best practices in the 
insurance industry. The Caribbean Association of Insurance Regulators has annual conferences and WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  training workshops. The FSC issued a bulletin on group insurance, and continues to develop a 
suitable regulatory framework for mic ro insurance. The FSC indicated that the requirements for 
registering an insurance company are the same for both local and foreign companies. In Jamaica, 
four general insurers and five life insurers have foreign parents.  
4.4.1.3.3   Securities  
4.90.   The securities industr y is governed by t he: 
a. Securities Act,  enacted in 1993 and last amended in 2014; and  
b. relevant regulations including the Securities (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 
the Securities (Conduct of Business) Regulations, the Securities (Disclosure of Int erest) 
Regulations, the Securities (Takeovers and Mergers) Regulations, the Securities (Retail 
Repurchase) Regulations, the Securities (Prudential) Regulations, the Securities 
(Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, and the Securities (Central Secur ities 
Depository) Regulations.  
4.91.   The Securities (Licensing and Registration) Regulations were amended in 2014, while both 
the Securities (Retail Repurchase Agreement) Regulations and the Securities (Collective 
Investment Schemes) Regulations were amended in 20 15. In July 2015, an advisory on the New 
Retail Repurchase Agreement Regulatory and Operational Framework was issued, to provide 
further guidance on the application of several provisions outlined in the Securities (Retail 
Repurchase Agreement) Regulations 2015. In addition, Guidelines for Jamaica Depositary Receipts, 
issued in April 2015, allow for the issuance of depositary receipts both across the Jamaica stock 
exchange and to selected investors through an exempt distribution format.  
4.92.   In January 2016, the FSC notified the securities industry of its intention to amend the 
Securities (Takeovers and Mergers) Regulations 1999 and the Securities (Disclosure of Interest) 
Regulations 1999 in preparation for an up -coming IMF and World Bank Financial Sector 
Assessme nt Programme (FSAP). Based on the feedback received from consultations, the FSC is 
examining the proposed amendment to the regulations.  
4.93.   On 31 March 2016, the FSC implemented a Strategy for Prudential Tightening to tighten the 
prudential standards for the s ecurities sector. As part of the Strategy, the FSC, on 30 June 2016, 
issued Part I of the Guidelines to the Securities (Prudential) Regulations 2014. These Guidelines 
seek to provide more clarity with respect to the method of computation for regulatory met rics and 
the corresponding benchmarks specified in the regulations, as well as how other areas of the 
regulations are to be implemented.  
4.94.   As at March 2017, there were 43 companies licensed as securities dealers in Jamaica 
(Table  4.15). They are grouped into  core securities dealers, i.e. those engaged in securities dealing 
as their principal activity, such as unit trust fund management companies; and non -core securities 
dealers, such as building societies, insurance companies and others. These companies do no t deal 
in securities as a principal activity; instead, they are required to obtain a securities dealer's licence 
to conduct some aspects of their business, for example, pension fund management.  
Table 4.15 Licensees and registrants by category, 2015 -17 
 Registered at  
31 March 2015  Registered at  
31 March 2016  Registered at  
31 March 2017  
Securities dealers – companies  46 44 43 
Securities dealers – individuals  3 3 3 
Securities dealers' representatives  792 862 927 
Investment advisors – companies  2 3 3 
Investment advisors – individuals  2 2 2 
Investment advisors – representatives  0 2 2 
Mutual funds  10 11 11 
Unit trust schemes  12 14 15 
Total  867 941 1,006  
Source:  FSC (2016), Annual Report 2015 -2016. Viewed at: http://www.fscjamaica.org/about -the-
fsc/content -1285.html  [9 February 2017]; and information provided by the authorities.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.95.   The FSC stated that the requirements for registering a securities dealer are the same for 
local and foreign companies. About one quarter of the core securities dealers have foreign parents.  
4.4.2   Telecommunication s services  
4.96.   The telecommunications sector had significant increases in penetration for mobile phone 
and Internet services  during the review period . Landline penetration ceased declining in 2016, and 
increased to 11.4% (Table  4.16).32 The combined contribution of transport, storage and 
communications accounted for 8.4% of GDP (market price) in 2016  (Chart 1.1) , up from 7% in 
2015. Value added in the tran sport, storage and communications sector registered a growth rate 
of 0.5% in 2016, compared with -0.1% in 2012, due mainly to the buoyance in the 
telecommunication subsector. Progress was made in expanding the broadband network across the 
island, via the d eployment of Community Access Points (CAPs) within publicly accessible spaces. 
As at June 2017, a programme to provide free Internet access in public spaces such as parks and 
town centres was being rolled out. Reflecting the ongoing investment in and integ ration of ICT, 
Jamaica improved its ranking on the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) from 85th (out of 144 
economies) in 2013 to 83rd (out of 139 economies) in 2016.33 Its rank on the ICT Development 
Index (IDI) improved in 2016 as well, from 101st in 2015 to  99th in 2016 (out of 175 economies).34 
4.97.   Since the previous Review in 2011, Internet has become the primary means of 
communication, and c ompetition has been strengthened with number portability, which was 
implemented in June 2015. OUR decided to undertake an other assessment of competition in the 
sector, scheduled for completion in early 2018. The objective of the project is to define and review 
all markets (retail and wholesale) for fixed, mobile, and data services over which OUR has 
regulatory oversight, and  to determine where regulatory intervention is warranted.  
4.98.   In July 2013, OUR reduced the mobile termination rate from JS$9 to JS$1.10. After this, 
Jamaica's mobile termination rate became the lowest in CARICOM. Its retail call rates were 
reduced as well. T he rates for some call categories were decreased by more than 60% during the 
review period.  
4.99.   In 2011, Jamaica had three main mobile providers: Cable and Wireless Jamaica Limited 
(trading as LIME), Digicel Jamaica Limited (trading as Digicel), and Oceanic Di gital Jamaica Limited 
(trading as Claro). There were also three fixed -line networks operated by LIME, Digicel, and 
Columbus Communications (trading as FLOW). Since 2011, there have been a number of mergers 
and acquisitions in the sector. In addition, a new  licence was granted in 2016 to Symbiote 
Investment Limited (Symbiote). Thus i n 2017, there were three mobile network operators  (Digicel, 
LIME, and Symbiote ) and three fixed network operators  (Digicel, LIME, and FLOW ). In the Internet 
segment, there are th ree major providers and a few small providers. Although they are still 
operating under separate licences, Cable and Wireless and Columbus Communications have been 
operating under the single brand "FLOW" since August 2015.  
4.100.   The number of fixed -line subscribe rs increased by 15.9% from 2011 to 2016, with its 
penetration rate increasing from 9.9% to 11.4% (Table 4.16). During the same period, mobile 
service subscriptions totalled 3.2 million as at December 2016, up by 10.9% from its 2011 level, 
with the penetrat ion rate increasing from 108.6% to 120%. Prepaid subscribers continued to 
account for the majority of this market (94% of mobile subscribers). Reflecting the rapid increase 
in mobile broadband subscribers, the overall Internet penetration rate went up from  4.4% in 2011 
to 65% in 2016.  
Table 4.16 Telephone subscribers by category, 2011 -16 
('000)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Fixed lines  267.6  253.1  250.3  253.5  252.8  310.1  
Residential  189.1  175.9  174.9  180.1  181.0  234.9  
                                                
32 OUR (2016), Annual Report 2015/16 . Viewed at: http://www.our.org.jm/ourweb/sites/default/files/  
images/content/OUR%20201516/O.U.R%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%202015 -2016.pdf  [28 February 2017].  
33 WEF online information. Viewed at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/  
GITR2016/WEF_GITR_Jamaica_2016.pdf  [1 March 2017].  
34 ITU online information. Viewed at: http://www.itu.int/net4/ITU -D/idi/2016/#idi2016countrycard -
tab&JAM  [1 March 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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   2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Business  78.5 77.2 75.5 73.4 71.8 75.2 
  Penetration (%)  9.9 9.5 9.2 9.3 9.3 11.4 
Mobile lines  2,945.4  2,714.9  2,846.2  3,005.5  3,137.2  3,267.3  
Pre-paid 2,825.7  2,563.6  2,696.4  2,851.1  2,970.8  3,085.0  
Post-paid 119.7  151.3  149.8  154.4  166.4  182.3  
Penetration (%)  108.6  100.1  104.9  110.4  115.2  120 
Internet  118.3  124.2  998.1  1,384.6  1,670.3  1,781.3  
  Fixed narrowband (dial up 
and below 256  kbps)  0 1.12 0.98 0.97 0.96 .. 
  Fixed broadband  118.3  123.1  140.8  156.4  164.0  192.0  
Mobile broadband  .. .. 856.3  1,227.6  1,505.4  1,589.3  
Penetratio n (%)  4.4 4.6 36.8 50.8 61.3 65 
.. Not available.  
Source:  OUR (2016), Annual Report 2015/16 . Viewed at: http://www.our.org .jm/ourweb/sites/  
default/files/images/content/OUR%20201516/O.U.R%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%202015 -2016.pdf  
[28 February 2017]; and information provided by the authorities.  
4.101.   Compared with the previous review period, the number of telecom licences continued to 
grow but at a much slower pace (Table 4.17). In 2014, the first local Internet Exchange Point 
(IXP) was installed by OUR. Through the IXP, Internet service providers (ISPs) and content 
providers are able to connect their networks to facilitate the exchange of  local Internet traffic 
within Jamaica. As at the end of March 2016, all major ISPs and one content provider were 
connected to the facility. Some participants began peering (interconnection of their networks over 
the IXP fabric to exchange Internet traffic ) or are making arrangements to peer.  
Table 4.17 Number of telecom licences granted, 2011 -16 
 Total at 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015a 2016b 
ISP 89 1 5 1 1 2 
ISP for subscriber television 
operators (STVO)  7 0 0 0 0 0 
International voice service 
provider (IVSP ) 54 0 0 1 0 1 
Domestic carrier (DC)  44 0 6 2 4 1 
Domestic voice service provider 
(DVSP)  54 1 2 1 4 1 
Data service provider (DSP)  34 0 2 0 0 0 
Free-trade zone carrier (FTZC)  11 0 0 0 0 0 
Free-trade zone service provider 
(FTZSP)  8 0 0 0 0 0 
Internatio nal (voice/data) transit 
(IC) 85 1 6 2 4 1 
International (voice/data) service 
provider (INTL.SP)  76 0 0 0 1 1 
Total  462 3 21 7 14 7 
a Revised.  
b Preliminary.  
Note:  Figures for 2012 –2016 are new licences granted. Carrier licences issued after 2013 do no t 
differentiate between domestic and international carriers, therefore the same number was used for 
both categories.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.102.   The MSET is responsible for providing the overall policy framework to guide the 
developme nt of the telecommunications sector. The ICT Policy  was promulgated in 2011. It  
outlines the l egal, regulatory, institutional and administrative environment for the ICT sector and 
places emphasis on those areas considered critical to ensuring investment in  the sector. OUR, inter 
alia, receives and processes applications for licences to provide telecommunications services. The 
Fair Trading Commission (FTC) monitors and regulates competition matters in conjunction with 
OUR, and the Consumer Affairs Commission  protects the rights of consumers in conjunction with 
OUR. Other relevant agencies include the SMA and the Broadcasting Commission.  
4.103.   The authorities stated that, given the impact of convergence and the ubiquitous nature of 
the Internet, the Government devel oped a National Cyber Security Strategy and began working WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  with various stakeholders to implement it. In support of the Strategy, steps were taken to harden 
the Government's ICT assets against cyber threats with the establishment of a Cyber Incident 
Respons e Team (CIRT) in 2016. In 2016, work started on the drafting of an ICT Act, which will 
repeal the Telecommunications Act and the Data Protection Act.  
4.104.   The main pieces of legislation governing the telecommunications sector remain: the 
Telecommunications Act (2000); the Post Office Act (1941); the Radio and Telegraph Control Act 
(1973); the Broadcasting and Radio Re -Diffusion Act (1944); the Electronic Transactions Act 
(2006); the Fair Competition Act (1993); the Consumer Protection Act (2005); the Cybercrimes  
Act (2015); and the Office of Utilities Regulations Act (1995).  
4.105.   In 2012, the Telecommunications Act was amended. The amendments gave OUR the 
authority, inter alia,  to: utilize the pure LRIC (long run incremental cost) methodology when 
setting termination rates; impose infrastructure sharing obligations; examine customer contracts 
and direct the modification of any term which appears to OUR to be unreasonable and unfair; and 
implement a pecuniary penalty regime for licensees who commit an offence against th e 
Telecommunications Act or regulations made thereunder.  
4.106.   The Act also expanded the powers of the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) to enable 
the prescription of a procedure to be adopted by the Minister and the SMA in the event that a 
spectrum licensee contravenes any term or condition of its spectrum licence or fails to pay licence 
fees or regulatory fees. It also empowers the Minister to suspend or revoke a spectrum licence on 
the recommendation of the SMA. The Act prescribes the procedure which the SM A must adopt 
prior to making a recommendation to the Minister for revocation or suspension. Additionally, the 
SMA was granted greater enforcement powers (similar to OUR).  
4.107.   Other amendments include specifying the circumstances under which the Minister may 
issue a spectrum licence, such as:  
a. On condition that the spectrum issued is to be used and operated in an efficient manner 
and in accordance with international best practices; and  
b. Ensure compliance by spectrum licensees with any obligation regarding the use  and 
operation of the spectrum as either imposed by or under a spectrum licence, a provision 
of the Act, or regulations made thereunder.  
4.108.   The Cybercrimes Act 2010 was replaced by the Cybercrimes Act 2015. The 2015 Act 
provides criminal sanctions for comput er-specific offences such as unauthorized interception, 
unauthorized modification of computer programs and unauthorized access to any program or data 
held in a computer. The new Act introduced new offences regarding fraud, forgery, malicious 
communication,  actions prejudicing investigations and forfeiture of computer material which is the 
subject matter of an offence. Penalties under the Act were significantly increased reflecting the 
seriousness with which cybercrimes are being treated.  
4.109.   The Office of Util ities Regulation (OUR) Act was amended in 2015 to, inter alia , increase 
the number of Office members as well as to diversify its composition. Under the 
Telecommunications Act, OUR is responsible for ensuring that the price levied for interconnection 
by dom inant carriers is cost effective, and that the price for wholesale interconnection services is 
determined in a manner that only takes account of avoidable costs. To this end, in 2013 OUR 
developed a Bottom -Up LRIC model for the determination of mobile term ination rates. OUR is in 
the process of finalizing a Bottom -Up LRIC Model for the determination of fixed termination rates.  
4.110.   According to the Telecommunications Act, OUR may modify terms in contracts that are 
deemed to be unfair. OUR is currently developin g guidelines, taking into account local and 
international laws and best practices, as to what are to be considered unreasonable and unfair 
contract terms with respect to customer contracts for telecommunications services and facilities. 
Licensees will be r equired to use these Guidelines when drafting their customer contracts. As part 
of the exercise, all existing customer contracts will be reviewed to determine where modifications 
may be required to eliminate unreasonable or unfair terms.  
4.111.   Section 44 of the  Telecommunications Act gives OUR the power to make rules prescribing 
quality of service standards for the provision of telecommunications facilities and services. During WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  the review period, OUR submitted Instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, thr ough the 
MSET, for the drafting of quality of service standards. Once promulgated, a service quality 
monitoring regime will be established, under which licensees will be required to measure and 
report on the stated parameters on a quarterly basis. The rule s will also set minim um targets for 
each parameter.  
4.112.   OUR is also taking steps to implement the pecuniary penalty regime for licensees who wish 
to discharge their liability for conviction by making a payment to OUR. Work has started on the 
development of inf rastructure sharing rules. The sharing of infrastructure will facilitate the 
optimum utilization of resources which can reduce the investment cost as well as afford new 
entrants the opportunity to accelerate service expansion.  
4.4.3   Transport services  
4.113.   The Minis try of Transport and Mining is the main government entity responsible for policy 
formulation and implementation in the sector.  Since 2011, there have been some major 
achievements in the transport sector, such as the privatization of the Kingston Container Terminal, 
the designation of Ian Fleming Airport as an international airport, the establishment of the 
Falmouth Cruise Ship Terminal, and the completion of the North -South segment of the tolled 
highway (Highway 2000). These are accompanied by legislative d evelopments including the  
issuance of the  Civil Aviation Regulations (2012), the Shipping Fees (Amendment) Regulations 
(2014), and the Shipping (Medical Examination) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.  
4.114.   Other initiatives of the Government include the pursuit of , inter alia : the privatization of 
the railway service; the privatization of the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA); the 
Vernamfield Development Project; and the establishment of the Land Transport Authority.  
4.4.3.1   Air transport  
4.115.   According to Vision 2030, t he air transport system in Jamaica comprises three main 
entities: aviation service providers such as airports, air traffic services, aircraft maintenance 
organizations, airlines and AEROTEL; aviation service users such as passengers and shippers; and 
the regulator – the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).35  
4.116.   The air transport sector is primarily regulated by the Civil Aviation Act (most recently 
amended in 2015) and Regulations. The Civil Aviation Regulations were strengthened in 2012 to 
ensure Jamaica' s continued compliance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation 
(Chicago Convention 1944) and its Annexes. In 2015, amendments were made to the Civil 
Aviation Act to increase the number of members of the JCAA. In 2016, the Cabinet approved a 
comprehensive revision of the Civil Aviation Act and Regulations, to strengthen its provisions in 
keeping with the changes in the aviation sector, and to meet International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO) standards.    
4.117.   Jamaica has two main international air ports with the equipment required to accommodate 
large jet aircrafts: Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, and Sangster 
International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay. The Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA), formally 
the Boscobel Aerod rome (St. Mary), was upgraded in February 2011 to provide services to both 
domestic and international flights (for small aircrafts). There are local prescribed aerodromes at 
Tinson Pen (Kingston), Ken Jones (Portland), and Negril (Hanover) which cater to d omestic flights 
only. The domestic aerodromes and the IFIA are located in proximity to major resort towns across 
the island, thereby facilitating the easy movement of tourists, leisure and business passengers, as 
well as light cargo. There are also some sm all, privately -owned aerodromes at locations near sugar 
estates or bauxite mines.  
4.118.   The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), established in 1974 under the Airports Authority 
Act, used to own and manage the two international airports (NMIA and SIA), and was later 
assigned responsibility in 1990 for the prescribed domestic aerodromes.  
                                                
35 Vision 2030 Jamaica – Transport Sector Plan 2009 -2030. Viewed at: http://www.mtw.gov.jm/  
images/Bulletins/v2030transport.pdf  [22 February  2017]. WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  4.119.   The SIA was privatized in 2003, and is now operated by a private consortium – MBJ 
Airports Limited (using a PPP model) – under a 30 -year concession agreement with the AAJ. The 
SIA is the largest international airport in Jamaica in terms of the number of passengers: among all 
visitors to Jamaica, approximately 71% use the SIA as their primary airport (Table 4.18).36 About 
95% of total passengers at the SIA are those travelling inte rnationally. Leading partners of MBJ 
Airports Limited are: Desarrollo de Concesiones Aeroportuarias, a holding company fully owned 
and controlled by Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico; and Vantage Airport Group.  
4.120.   The NMIA remains fully owned by the Governmen t. It has been managed since 2003 by 
NMIA Airports Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of AAJ, under a 30 -year concession 
agreement. It caters to approximately 1.6 million passengers, and handles about 70% of the 
island's airfreight.37 According to the authorities, divestment process is under way.  
Table 4.18 Airport performance, 2011 -16 
 2011 -12 2012 -13 2013 -14 2014 -15 2015 -16 
Passenger traffic       
   NMIA  1,457,840  1,462,072  1,370,601  1,467,993  1,553,928  
   SIA 3,338,827  3,351,751  3,526,733  3,731,028  3,867,968  
   Total 4,796,667  4,813,823  4,897,334  5,199,021  5,421,896  
Freight (kg)       
   NMIA  12,336,776  11,991,323  12,041,376  12,277,715  12,631,448  
   SIA 5,078,916  5,151,382  5,747,736  6,215,724  6,291,549  
   Total  17,415,692  17,142,705  17,78 9,112  18,493,439  18,922,997  
Source:  AAJ (2014), Annual Report 2013 -2014. Viewed at: http://www.airportsauthorityjamaica.aero/  
pdf/NORMAN%20MANLEY%20INTL%20AIRPORT%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%202013 -2014.pdf  [22 
February 2017]; and information provided by the authorities.  
4.121.   The JCAA, established in 1996, is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization 
(ICAO). It is responsible for the development of air transport services in Jamaica with a focus on 
strengthening safety measures. The JCAA regulates all air navigation activities and matters 
relating to safety and security in civil aviation. Its main functions are:  
a. Flight safety: i ncluding licensing of industry personnel and continued safety and security 
oversight of all aviation service providers;  
b. Economic regulation: relating to the regulation of airport services and charges, permits 
for charter flights, and air transport licences  to aircraft operators; and  
c. Air navigation services: including air traffic management, air traffic control training and 
aeronautical information services, as well as aeronautical communication services 
through its subsidiary AEROTEL.  
4.122.   AEROTEL was establishe d in 1978 to provide engineering and telecommunication services 
to the aviation sector. Its functions include designing, installing, maintaining, and operating 
aeronautical telecommunication facilities and systems for various entities such as the JCAA, the  
Meteorological Office, the AAJ, airlines and users of Jamaica's airspace, and the Kingston Flight 
Information Region.  
4.123.   There are 38 international carriers providing direct flights connecting Jamaica to other 
parts of the world. Jamaica has seven domestic a irlines. Air Jamaica, once the national airline of 
Jamaica, was sold by the Government to Caribbean Airlines in May 2011. The Government of 
Jamaica retained a 16% share in Caribbean Airlines.  
4.124.   According to information provided by the JCAA, the Provisional C ollection of Tax (GCT) 
(Removal of Exemption) (Miscellaneous Provision) Order, 2015, removed the JCAA's exemption 
from the GCT as part of the Government's efforts to broaden its tax base. Other taxes and charges 
collected at airports are:  
a. Departure tax – US$35 per passenger;  
                                                
36 MBJ online information. Viewed at: http://www.mbjairport.com/history -facts [21 February  2017]. 
37 NMIA online information. Viewed at: http://www.nmia.aero/profile  [21 February  2017]. WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  b. Airport Improvement Fund (AIF) – US$10 at the NMIA, and US$5 at the SIA;  
c. Passenger Aviation Service Charge (PASC) – US$4 each way, or US$8 for a round trip;  
d. Passenger Facility Charge – US$5.  
4.125.   In addition, the Tourism Enhancement Fund is  funded through a fee of US$20 charged to 
incoming airline passengers (Section 4.4.4).  
4.126.   Airlines seeking a Jamaican Air Operator Certificate must be substantially owned and 
controlled by Jamaicans. Foreign investment of up to 33% equity shares is allowed. Cabotage by 
foreign operators is allowed if there is an un -met need. One foreign operator, InterCaribbean 
Airways, was approved on 16 April 2014 to operate domestically between the NMIA and the SIA.  
4.127.   Jamaica is a signatory to the Air Transport Agreement (A TA) among the member States 
and associate members of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)38; it entered into force in 
2008.39 Jamaica has bilateral air service agreements (ASAs) with 35 countries, including 11 open -
skies agreements. Among the 35 ASAs, 5  are substantially completed and initialled, and can be 
administratively/provisionally applied until the constitutional arrangements are completed and the 
official signing takes place. These are with China, Ghana, Kuwait, Paraguay, and Switzerland.  
4.4.3.2   Maritim e transport  
4.128.   Reflecting its location (in the Caribbean Sea, on the shipping lane to the Panama Canal) 
and relative proximity to large markets in North America and emerging markets in Latin America, 
Jamaica receives high container traffic. In addition to the  Kingston harbour, which is the 7th largest 
natural harbour in the world, there are several ports around the island including the alumina ports, 
sugar ports, ports for agricultural products, as well as cruise ship piers. Some ports are privately 
operated ( sufferance wharves) and a few are public wharves such as the Port of Montego Bay. The 
port of Kingston consists of two public cargo terminals:  
a. KWL – mixed use and privately owned and operated; and  
b. the container terminal – Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) , publicly owned but now 
privately operated under a 30 -year concession agreement.  
4.129.   The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), a statutory corporation established under the Port 
Authority Act of 1972, falls within the Ministry of Transport and Mining. The PAJ is the principal 
maritime agency responsible for the regulation and development of seaports in Jamaica. It is 
responsible for ensuring that security systems, standards and procedures at seaports comply with 
the International Maritime Organization/Internationa l Ship and Port Facility Security (IMO/ISPS) 
Code.  
4.130.   PAJ's operation is mainly driven by two segments: containerized cargo, and cruise 
shipping.40 Containerized cargo activities are undertaken at the KCT and the Port of Montego Bay. 
Cruise shipping activitie s are undertaken at four ports: the port of Montego Bay, Historic Falmouth 
port, the port of Ocho Rios, and Ken Wright pier. The number of container moves at the KCT 
contracted  in 2015 and 2016  from 2014 , caused by  the decline in transhipment moves (Table 
4.19). Container throughput has been declining, from 1.8 million TEUs in 2012 to 1.6 million in 
2014.41 It then increased to 1.65 million in 2015 and declined to 1.57 million in 2016.  
4.131.   The KCT has a rated capacity of 2.8 million TEUs.42 In 2016, it accounted  for about 90% of 
vessel calls and 60% of tonnage handled. In April 2015, a 30 -year concession agreement was 
signed between the PAJ and the Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) to develop, market, 
                                                
38 The ACS is a union of nations centred in the Caribbean Basin, with 25 member States and 7 associate 
members.  
39 The text of the ATA can be found at: http://www.acs -aec.org/sites/default/files/Final_ATA_En.pdf  
40 PAJ (2016), Annual Report 2015 -2016. Viewed at: http://www.portjam.com/nmCMS.php?p=reports  
[24 February  2017]. 
41 UNCTAD (2015), Review of Maritime Transport 2015.  Viewed at: http://unctad.org/en/  
PublicationsL ibrary/rmt2015_en.pdf  [3 March  2017]. 
42 PAJ online information. Viewed at: http://www.portjam.com/nmCMS.php?p=ports  [23 February  
2017]. WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  operate, and transfer the assets of the KCT. This was a step towards the privatization of the KCT, 
which was privatized in 2016. KFTL is a company which is 60% owned by CMA CGM, and 40% by 
Terminal Link. According to the concession agreement, the PAJ will retain responsibility for 
maintenance dredging, provis ion of ancillary services, and enacting regulations and policies. KFTL 
has the right to finance, expand, operate, maintain and transfer the KCT at the end of the 
concession period.  
Table 4.19 Container moves at the KTC, and cruise passeng er arrivals, 2013/14 – 
2016/17  
 2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17a 
Container moves at the KTC  833,309  883,781  877,802  646,444  
Transhipment moves  720,147  782,203  772,655  552,695  
Domestic moves  113,162  101,578  105,147  93,749  
Cruise passenger arrivals  1,240,391  1,490,532  1,661,390  1,040,493  
Ocho Rios  615,857  775,102  760,816  279,134  
Montego Bay and Port 
Antonio  223,855  261,968  442,256  285,400  
Falmouth  400,680  453,462  458,318  475,959  
Vessel calls by business 
segment  3,444  3,533  3,680  2,720 
Cruise  363 433 495 304 
Cargo  2,833  2,866  2,941  2,282 
Other  248 234 244 134 
a Data for 2016/17 are up to December 2016.  
Source:  PAJ (2016), Annual Report 2015 -2016.  
4.132.   The primary mandate of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, established under the Shipping 
Act 1988 , is to regulate and develop shipping in Jamaica. Its functions include the registration of 
ships, regulating safety and security of shipping, preventing ship -source pollution, and training and 
certification of seafarers. In 2016, 17 commercial vessels wer e registered, up from 8 in 2011.  
4.133.   Since the previous Review in 2011, a number of regulations and orders have been 
amended or adopted, including:  
a. The Shipping (Load Lines) Regulations 2011, to incorporate the International Convention 
on Load Lines, 1966;  
b. The Pilotage (Amendment) Regulations, 2013, to facilitate an increase in the fees 
payable to pilots;  
c. The Shipping (Declaration of Port of Registry) Order, 2014, to declare Montego Bay as a 
port of registry for ships involved in foreign trade, and to declare  ports as ports of 
registry for the registration of ships not involved in foreign trade to facilitate access to 
local trade;  
d. The Shipping (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014, to amend the fee structure for the 
registration service and related services;  
e. The Shipping (Registration of Ships) (Amendment) Regulations, 2015,  to introduce a 
regulation regime for yachts and personal water craft (jet skis) and to promote cruising 
around Jamaica by visiting yachts;  
f. The Shipping (Medical Examination) (Amendment) Regu lation, 2015, to incorporate the 
2012 amendments to the International Convention on the Standards of Training, 
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention (STCW Convention), also 
known as the Manila Amendments; and  
g. The Caribbean Maritime Univer sity Act, 2017, aimed at strengthening the statutory 
power of institutions such as universities to confer degrees/awards/certificates/diplomas, 
etc.  
4.134.   Other legislation being adopted or amended includes:  
a. The Ballast Water Management Convention Bill, 2017, t o implement the requirements of 
the Ballast Water Management Convention adopted by the IMO in 2004, and to provide a WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  legal framework for the regulation and management of ships' ballast water and the 
sediments which remained in the tanks of vessels after th e ballast water had been 
discharged ; and   
b. The Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2016, including the Shipping (Welfare of Seafarers and 
Maritime Labour Compliance) Regulations, 2016, the Shipping (Pollution Prevention, 
Response, Liability and Compensation) Bill, t he Shipping (Prevention of Pollution of the 
Sea) Act, 2012, and the Shipping (Training, Certification, Safe Manning, Hours of Work 
and Watchkeeping) (Amendment) Regulations, 2016.  
4.135.   Jamaica is a party to the UN Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conf erences, and 
has ratified a number of IMO conventions as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of 
the Sea. Jamaica has two bilateral maritime transportation agreements: with Cuba (signed in 
1999), and with the Russian Federation (signed in 1978) . Both agreements accorded reciprocal 
national treatment to the vessels of each party.  
4.136.   Foreign -owned  ships, if they meet the conditions set out in the Shipping (Local Trade) 
Regulations 2003, may participate in local trade. To be recognized as Jamaican, a ship must be 
registered or licensed in Jamaica. Jamaica nationals and businesses, and persons deemed to 
belong to Jamaica pursuant to the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act, are 
qualified to own a Jamaican ship.  
4.137.   Under Section 101C of the Shipping Act, Jamaican ships engaging in foreign trade may be 
declared "exempted ships"; entities that own or operate an "exempted ship" may be exempted 
from income tax in respect of gains derived from ownership or operation of the ship for 10 years, 
renew able. These entities are also exempt from transfer tax, stamp duties, and customs duties 
and GCT on imports to be used for the operation of an exempted ship and on articles imported for 
the construction, repair, etc. of a ship.  
4.138.    Port fees for public wharv es are generally gazetted and updated via a Wharfage Rate 
Hearing, in accordance with the Wharfage Act.  
4.4.4   Tourism  
4.4.4.1   Overview  
4.139.   The tourism sector is the mainstay of the Jamaican economy. According to the World 
Travel and Tourism Council, the travel and tourism industry directly contributed 9.3% to GDP in 
2016, while its total contribution to the economy was 30.3%. Moreover, the industry is a major 
foreign exchange earner, capturing a significant share of capital investment and accounting for 
over half of total e xports (Table 4.20).  
Table 4.20 Jamaica: Absolute and relative contribution of the tourism sector, 2016  
 Absolute 
contribution  Relative contribution  
(% of total)  
Direct contribution to GDP (J$ billion)  162.6  9.3 
Total contribution to G DP (J$ billion)  529.2  30.3 
Direct contribution to employment ('000 jobs)  97 8.4 
Total contribution to employment ('000 jobs)  318.5  27.5 
Capital investment (J$ billion)  43.2 12.1 
Visitor exports (J$ billion) 303 58.2 
Source:  World Travel and Tourism Co uncil, Travel & Tourism. Economic Impact 2017. Jamaica . Viewed at: 
https://www.wttc.org/ -/media/files/reports/economic -impact -research/countri es-
2017/jamaica2017.pdf  [2 June 2017]. 
4.140.   The number of stopovers (visitors staying at least 24 hours in the country) has grown 
steadily since 2011, reaching about 2.2 million in 2016 (Table 4.21). The United States continues 
to be the largest inbound market , accounting for 64% of all overnight tourist arrivals in 2016, 
followed by Canada (17%), Europe (14%), the Caribbean (3%), Latin America (1.2%), and Asia 
and Pacific (0.3%). In the same year, 93% of visitors came from other countries, and the rest WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  were Ja maicans living abroad.43 Among all the overnight visitors, 75.6% were visiting for the 
purpose of leisure, recreation and holidays, 13.8% for visiting friends and relatives, 4.7% were on 
business, and the remaining 5.9% were on other or unstated purposes.  
4.141.   In 2015, both the number of hotel rooms and the average hotel room occupancy rate went 
up, reaching 69% (Table 4.21). The average length of stay for foreign nationals was 8.8 nights, 
and 16.4 nig hts for non -resident Jamaicans.  
Table 4.21 K ey tourism indicators, 2011 -16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Total stopovers  1,951,752  1,986,085  2,008,409  2,080,181  2,123,042  2,181,684  
United States  1,225,565  1,257,669  1,271,262  1,296,457  1,344,149  1,406,058  
Canada  378,938  403,200  399,331  419,898  391,409  372,137  
Europe  253,049  222,428  235,811  261,081  279,332  294,709  
Caribbean  66,216  64,984  58,249  59,057  62,612  65,592  
Latin America  16,589  25,037  30,538  29,263  29,387  27,726  
Asia and Pacific  6,522  7,020  7,505  8,194  9,238  8,949 
Other  4,873  5,747  5,713 6,231  6,915  6,513 
Stopover arrivals by 
purpose of visit        
Leisure, recreation and 
holiday  1,519,363  1,573,853  1,608,751  1,668,217  1,604,302  .. 
Visiting friends and 
relatives  183,501  185,646  173,908  182,879  293,693  .. 
Business  105,839  100,360  96,443 96,776  100,839  .. 
Other/not stated  143,049  126,226  129,307  132,309  124,208  .. 
Cruise ship 
passengersa  1,125,481  1,320,083  1,265,268  1,423,797  1,568,702  1,655,565  
Tourist 
accommodation  28,304  28,536  26,839  26,888  28,408  .. 
Hotel rooms  20,665  20,974 20,359  20,310  21,454  .. 
Other rooms  7,639  7,562  6,480  6,578  6,954  .. 
Average hotel room 
occupancy (%)  60.5 62.3 67.9 68.0 69.0 .. 
Average length of 
stay (nights)        
Foreign nationals   8.9 8.8 8.7 8.7 8.8 .. 
Non-resident 
Jamaicans  16.4 17.6 16.8 16.5 16.4 .. 
Visitor expenditures 
(US$ million)  2,008  2,070  2,113  2,244  2,402  .. 
Stopovers   1,928  1,968  2,011  2,126  2,265  .. 
Cruise passengers  80 102 102 118 137 .. 
Employment in 
accommodation 
sector  34,921  35,197  35,197  35,166  39,255  .. 
.. Not avai lable.  
a Includes armed forces on naval vessels.  
Source:  Jamaica Tourist Board, Annual Travel Statistics various issues (2012 -15). Viewed at: 
http://www.jtbonline.org/report -and-statistics/  [20 February 2017].  
4.142.   Gross visitor expenditure in 2015 was estimated at approximately US$2.4 billion, an 
increase of 7% from the estimated figure in 2014. The majority of the expenditure was from 
stopover tourists (94.3%), while cruise passengers accounted fo r 5.7%. The number of cruise ship 
passengers grew for most of the years during the review period, and it increased by more than 
                                                
43 Jamaica Tourist Board (2016), Annual Travel Statistics 2015 . Viewed at: 
http://www.jtbonline.org/report -and-statistics/  [20 February  2017]. WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  10% in 2015. It is estimated that in 2015 cruise tourists spen t about US$87 per person per night, 
while foreign nationals spent on average US$126 per person per night.44 
4.4.4.2   Legislative and institutional framework  
4.143.   In September 2011, the Travel Agencies Regulation Act (No.  18 of 2011) was amended to 
increase penalties (both monetary and imprisonment) for breaches. Other main legislation 
includes: the Tourist Board Act, the Hotel Keepers Liability Act, the Tourism Enhancement Fund 
Act, the River Rafting Authority Act, the Bath of St. Thomas the Apostle Act, the Milk River Bath 
Act, the Resort Cottages (Incentives) Act, the Motion Picture I ndustry (Encouragement) Act, and 
the Noise Abatement Act.45 
4.144.   The institutional framework has remained the same since the previous Review in 2011. 
The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for tourism development, with subordinate agencies such 
as: 
a. The Jamaica T ourist Board, which markets and promotes Jamaican tourism;   
b. The Tourism Product Development Company, which is responsible for the development 
and quality of the tourism product;  
c. Jamaica Vacations, which manages airlift capacity; and  
d. The Tourism Enhancemen t Fund, which provides funding for development projects in the 
tourism sector.  
4.145.   In particular, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, established in 2005, aims to provide 
financing for the development of tourist attractions. It is funded through a fee of US$20 charg ed to 
incoming airline passengers, and US$7 to cruise passengers.  
4.146.   These agencies also work closely with other organizations such as the Jamaica Hotel and 
Tourist Association (JHTA) and Jamaica Trade and Investment (JTI) in the marketing of Jamaica as 
a tourist destination.  
4.147.   The Ministry of Tourism is working to develop a Community Tourism Policy (CTP) which will 
include local communities throughout the island.46 The CTP was tabled in April 2015 as a white 
paper.  
4.148.   Tax incentive schemes for the tourism sector  were replaced by the Omnibus Incentive 
schemes, which mainly include reduced customs duty, additional stamp duty rates, and corporate 
income tax rates. The authorities consider that, under the Omnibus Incentive schemes, more 
persons will benefit, more sub sectors will be  covered (attractions and transportation rather than 
accommodation  alone ), and incentives will be available  in perpetuity ( compared to the 10 or 15 
years previously ).  
 
 
                                                
44 Jamaica Tourist Board (2016), Annual Travel Statistics 2015. Viewed at: 
http://www.jtbonline.org/report -and-statistics/  [20 February 20 17]. 
45 Ministry of Tourism online information. Viewed at: http://www.mot.gov.jm/page/core -legislation  [21  
February 2017].  
46 Ministry of Tourism online information. Viewed at: http://www.mot.gov.jm/page/community -tourism -
policy -and-strategy -white -paper  [21 February 2017].  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 1 Merchandise exp orts by HS sections and main chapters, 2011 –16 
(US$ million and %)  
Description  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Total exports  1,623  1,712  1,569  1,452  1,263  1,202  
 Domestic exports  1,536  1,644  1,488  1,388  1,212  1,097  
 Re-exports  87 68 81 64 50 105 
  (% of total exports)  
1 - Live animals; animal products  1.1 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.6 2.0 
 03. Fish and crustaceans  0.6 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.1 
 04. Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey  0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 
 02. Meat and edible meat offal  0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 
2 - Vegetable products  4.3 4.0 4.9 4.7 5.6 7.4 
 09. Coffee, tea, maté and spices  1.6 1.4 1.6 1.5 2.5 3.2 
 07. Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers  1.6 1.5 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.7 
 08. Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons  0.6 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.7 1.0 
3 - Animal or vegetable fats and oils; prepared edible fats  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 
4 - Prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; 
tobacco  16.4 27.4 20.2 11.9 11.4 17.4 
 22. Beverages, spirits and vinegar  7.5 16.5 10.8 5.5 4.8 7.5 
 20. Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts 
of plants  1.4 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.8 2.9 
 21. Miscellaneous edible preparations  1.4 1.4 1.7 1.9 1.8 2.4 
 19. Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk  1.2 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.1 1.7 
 17. Sugars and suga r confectionery  4.0 5.5 3.5 0.2 0.5 1.4 
 23. Residues and waste from the food industries  0.5 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 
 16. Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans  0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 
5 - Mineral products  31.9 30.4 31.1 32.7 27.6 23.5 
 27. Minera l fuels, mineral oils and products thereof  22.9 22.7 22.6 21.2 15.4 14.5 
 26. Ores, slag and ash.  8.8 7.6 8.2 9.0 10.3 7.7 
 25. Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; lime and cement  0.2 0.2 0.2 2.5 2.0 1.3 
6 - Products of the chemical or allied industries  38.1 31.6 35.3 38.3 44.9 39.3 
 28. Inorganic chemicals  36.4 30.3 34.2 37.1 44.0 38.1 
7 - Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof  0.3 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.8 1.0 
 40. Rubber and articles thereof  0.1 0.5 0.3 0.8 0.6 0.5 
 39. Plastics and article s thereof  0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.5 
8 - Raw hides and skins, leather, furskins and articles 
thereof  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
9 - Wood and articles of wood;  cork and articles of cork  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
10 - Pulp of wood; paper and paperboard and artic les 
thereof  0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.6 
11 - Textiles and textile articles  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
12 - Footwear, headgear, umbrellas; prepared feathers  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
13 - Articles of stone, cement, etc.; ceramic products; 
glassware  0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 
14 - Pearls, precious or semi -precious stones and precious 
metals  1.7 1.8 1.3 0.9 0.5 1.0 
15 - Base metals and articles of base metal  1.7 0.4 1.2 1.9 1.0 2.2 
 73. Articles of iron or steel  0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.2 
 72. Iron and steel  1.3 0.1 0.9 1.5 0.6 0.6 
16 - Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical 
equipment  1.6 0.8 1.6 0.8 0.9 2.4 
 84. Machinery and mechanical appliances  0.7 0.5 1.1 0.5 0.6 1.6 
 85. Electrical machinery and equipment  0.9 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.8 
17 - Vehicles, aircra ft, vessels and associated transport 
equipment  1.5 0.5 1.0 0.6 0.7 1.1 
 89. Ships, boats and floating structures  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 
18 - Optical, photographic, medical instruments; watches; 
musical instruments  0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.8 
 90. Optical, photographic, medical or other precision 
instruments  0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.6 
19 - Arms and ammunition  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
20 - Miscellaneous manufactured articles  0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
21 - Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Other  0.4 0.3 0.4 4.4 4.2 0.6 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table A1. 2 Merchandise imports by HS sections and main HS chapters, 2011 –16 
(US$ million and %)  
Description  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Total 6,437 6,580  6,216  5,836  4,993  4,767  
  (% of total imports)   
1 - Live animals; animal products  3.3 3.2 3.2 3.5 4.0 3.4 
 03. Fish and crustaceans  1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.2 
 02. Meat and edible meat offal  1.2 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.2 
 04. Dairy produce; birds' egg s; natural honey  1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.3 0.9 
2 - Vegetable products  4.4 4.2 4.6 3.5 3.4 4.2 
 10. Cereals  3.3 3.1 3.4 2.2 2.0 2.9 
 11. Products of the milling industry  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 
3 - Animal or vegetable fats and oils; prepared edible fats  1.1 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.5 
4 - Prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; 
tobacco  13.3 14.1 12.5 10.4 11.4 12.5 
 21. Miscellaneous edible preparations  1.3 1.5 1.7 1.7 2.0 2.5 
 22. Beverages, spirits and vinegar  6.4 6.9 4.9 2.5 2.8 2.3 
 20. Preparati ons of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other 
parts of plants  1.0 1.0 1.2 1.1 1.5 1.7 
 19. Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk  1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.6 
 23. Residues and waste from the food industries  0.9 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.0 1.5 
 16. Preparations of mea t, of fish or of crustacean  1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 
 17. Sugars and sugar confectionery  1.4 1.4 1.2 0.9 1.0 1.1 
5 - Mineral products  36.4 36.6 36.6 33.5 23.4 20.0 
 27. Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products thereof  35.9 36.3 36.3 33.2 23.0 19.8 
6 - Products of the chemical or allied industries  7.1 7.0 7.2 7.7 8.3 9.0 
 30. Pharmaceutical products  2.2 2.1 2.1 2.5 3.1 3.1 
 28. Inorganic chemicals  1.6 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.9 
 38. Miscellaneous chemical products  0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 
 34. Soap, organic s urface -active agents, washing  
preparations  0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.8 
 33. Essential oils and resinoids; cosmetic or toilet 
preparations  0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 
 29. Organic chemicals  0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 
 32. Tanning or dyeing extracts and their deriv atives  0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 
7 - Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles 
thereof  3.6 3.7 3.9 4.3 5.1 5.1 
 39. Plastics and articles thereof  2.6 2.7 2.9 3.2 3.8 3.8 
 40. Rubber and articles thereof  1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.4 
8 - Raw hides and skins, leather, furskins and articles 
thereof  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 
9 - Wood and articles of wood; cork and articles of cork  1.1 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.5 
 44. Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal  1.1 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.5 
10 - Pulp of wood; paper and pap erboard and articles 
thereof  2.8 2.6 2.5 3.1 3.4 2.8 
 48. Paper and paperboard, articles thereof  1.9 1.9 1.9 2.1 2.5 2.1 
 49. Printed books, newspapers, other products of the 
printing industry  0.9 0.7 0.6 0.9 1.0 0.7 
11 - Textiles and textile articles  1.8 1.6 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.2 
 62. Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not 
knitted or crocheted  0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.8 
 63. Other made up textile articles  0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 
12 - Footwear, headgear, umbrellas; prepared feathers  0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 
13 - Articles of stone, cement, etc.; ceramic products; 
glassware  1.5 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.2 2.1 
 70. Glass and glassware  0.8 0.6 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.9 
 69. Ceramic products  0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 
14 - Pearls, precious or semi -precious stones and 
precious metals  0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.3 
15 - Base metals and articles of base metal  4.2 3.8 4.0 4.1 5.2 4.8 
 73. Articles of iron or steel  1.6 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.2 
 72. Iron and steel  1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.8 1.0 
 76. Aluminium and articles thereof  0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 
 83. Miscellaneous articles of base metal.  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.5 
16 - Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical 
equipment  10.1 8.5 9.3 11.4 14.3 14.7 
 84. Machinery and mechanical appliances  5.9 5.1 5.6 6.3 7.9 8.4 
 85. Electrical machine ry and equipment  4.2 3.4 3.7 5.1 6.4 6.4 WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Description  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
17 - Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport 
equipment  4.5 5.4 5.2 5.2 6.6 11.6 
 87. Vehicles other than railway /tramway, parts and 
accessories  4.3 5.3 5.1 5.1 6.3 11.4 
18 - Optical, photographic, m edical instruments; 
watches; musical instruments  1.3 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7 
 90. Optical, photographic, medical or other precision 
instruments  0.9 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.4 
19 - Arms and ammunition  0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 
20 - Miscellaneous manufactured article s 1.1 1.4 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.4 
 94. Furniture; bedding, mattresses, cushions, etc.  0.8 1.0 1.1 1.4 1.8 1.7 
 96. Miscellaneous manufactured articles  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.5 
21 - Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Others  1.0 1.8 1.8 2.9 3.1 0.4 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table A1. 3 Merchandise exports and by trading partner, 2011 –16 
(US$ million and %)  
Description  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Total exports  1,623  1,712  1,569  1,452  1,263  1,202 
 (% of total exports)  
Americas  75.1 64.2 70.5 65.1 59.5 65.1 
  United States  51.7 48.1 49.1 39.5 37.0 41.5 
  Other America  23.4 16.1 21.4 25.6 22.5 23.6 
          Canada  16.2 7.1 14.3 15.3 14.5 12.1 
          Trinidad and Tobago  1.3 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.0 1.9 
          Barbados  0.6 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.1 
          Guyana  0.4 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.6 1.0 
          Cayman Islands  0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.0 
          Saint Lucia  0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.9 
          Dominica  0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.6 
          Antigua and  Barbuda  0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 
          Belize  0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.5 
          Suriname  0.3 0.3 0.5 1.0 0.8 0.4 
          Haiti 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 
          Costa Rica  0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 
          Mexico  0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.3 
          Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 
          Bahamas  0.1 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 
          Bermuda  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 
          Grenada  0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 
          Curacao  0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 
Europe  19.9 22.4 21.5 24.0 24.9 20.0 
  EU-28 16.8 20.6 19.1 19.5 17.0 17.8 
          Netherlands  5.6 4.1 6.9 5.7 8.7 10.4 
          United Kingdom  6.9 2.6 5.2 5.2 6.1 4.1 
          France  0.4 1.0 1.0 3.1 0.6 0.9 
          Sweden  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 
          Latvia  0.0 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 
          Germany  0.3 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 
          Belgium  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
  EFTA 3.1 1.7 2.4 4.5 7.9 2.0 
          Iceland  0.5 1.6 2.4 4.4 7.8 2.0 
  Other Europe  0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
Commonwealth of I ndependent States 1.2 5.6 4.3 5.9 9.1 7.9 
          Russian Federation  0.7 3.5 1.6 5.1 7.0 5.9 
          Georgia  0.6 2.1 2.6 0.8 2.0 2.0 
Africa  0.0 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.9 
          Cameroon  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 
Middle East  0.1 4.1 0.7 0.4 1.9 0.0 
Asia 3.6 1.9 2.8 4.6 4.6 5.0 
  China  1.3 0.7 1.0 2.6 2.3 2.4 
  Japan  0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6 1.4 1.6 
  Other Asia  1.4 0.6 1.1 1.3 0.9 0.9 
          New Zealand  0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 
Other  0.0 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armania, Az erbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and 
Uzbekistan.  
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.  WT/TPR/S/359 • Jamaica  
 
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  Table A1. 4 Merchandise imports by trading partner, 2011 –16 
(US$ million and %)  
Description  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Total imports  6,437  6,580  6,216  5,836  4,993  4,767  
 (% of total imports)  
Americas  80.3 78.8 78.2 75.3 70.5 69.0 
  United States  33.6 35.7 34.1 39.2 37.5 39.5 
  Other America  46.7 43.1 44.0 36.1 33.0 29.6 
          Trinidad and Tobago  12.9 10.6 12.3 10.2 9.5 7.3 
          Mexico  3.8 4.0 4.4 3.3 2.6 4.1 
          Colombia  1.1 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.1 3.8 
          Canada  1.8 1.5 1.6 1.8 1.9 1.8 
          Dominican Republic  1.0 0.7 0.8 0.8 1.2 1.6 
          Brazil  5.0 3.7 2.7 1.0 1.5 1.3 
          Panama  0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.9 1.3 
          Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of  14.9 15.4 14.9 11.5 7.1 1.3 
          Costa Rica  0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.1 
          Guyana  0.8 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 
          Suriname  0.5 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 
          Guatemala  0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.8 
          Bahamas  0.9 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.6 
          Barbados  0.6 0.4 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.6 
          Ecuador  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 
          El Salvador  0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 
Europe 7.9 7.6 7.4 9.0 10.0 10.9 
  EU(28)  6.6 5.8 5.9 7.3 8.6 9.8 
          Germany  1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.7 2.4 
          Spain  0.3 0.4 0.5 0.8 1.6 1.8 
          United Kingdom  1.3 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.3 1.5 
          France  0.5 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.9 
          Belgium 1.0 0.8 0.8 1.3 1.0 0.7 
          Netherlands  0.3 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7 
          Italy 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.5 
          Sweden  0.3 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.4 
  EFTA 1.0 1.1 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 
          Switzerland  0.6 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 
  Other Europe  0.4 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.4 
Commonwealth of I ndependent States  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Africa  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
Middle East  0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 
Asia 10.3 11.7 12.3 13.6 17.3 19.4 
  China  4.4 4.7 5.4 6.8 8.2 6.5 
  Japan  2.3 3.2 2.9 2.7 3.6 6.3 
  Other Asia  3.6 3.8 4.1 4.2 5.6 6.6 
          Thailand  0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.0 2.1 
          India 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.0 
          Korea, Republic of  0.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.6 
          Hong Kong, China  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 
          New Zealand  0.6 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 
Other  1.1 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 0.3 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.  
 
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