G/SCM/N/299/JAM  
 
23 August 2016  
(16-4489) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Subsidies and Count ervailing Measures  Original: English  
  
 G/SCM/N/299/SLV  
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SUBSIDIES  
FINAL TRANSPARENCY NOTIFICATION (FOR 2015) PURSUANT TO  THE PROCEDURES IN 
THE GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION IN  DOCUMENT WT/L/691 ON THE EXTENSIONS 
UNDER  SCM ARTICLE 27.4 OF THE TRANSITION PERIOD  FOR THE  
ELIMINATION OF EXPOR T SUBSIDIES  
JAMAICA  
The following communication, dated 19  August 2016, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Jamaica . 
 
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This notification is being submitted for purposes of transparency in the context of the extensions 
granted to Jamaica under Artic le 27.4 of the Agreement, pursuant to the procedures in  WT/L/691.  
 
EXPORT INDUSTRY ENCO URAGEMENT ACT  
1. Description of the programme  
 
The Export Industry Encouragement Act was established as an incentive framework geared toward 
the encouragement of export industries.  
 
2. Period covered by the notification  
 
Programme description for the calendar year 2015.  
 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
 
The objective is to encourage investment and growth in export manufacturing industries.  
 
4. Status of the subsidy  
 
By virtue of the Fiscal Incentives Act (FIA), 2013, the Export Industry Encouragement Act was 
repealed. Existing beneficiaries were provided with the options of either having the incentives 
grandfathered for the remaining period granted or beg in operations under the FIA.  
 
JAMAICA EXPORT FREE ZONES ACT  
1. Description of the programme  
 
The Jamaica Export Free Zones Act provides an incentive and regulatory framework for the 
operation of Free Zones in Jamaica.  
 
2. Period covered by the notification  
 
Programme description for the calendar year 2015.  
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  3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
 
The objective is to encourage investment, exports and foreign exchange earnings and to create 
employment opportunities.  
 
4. Status of the subsidy  
 
A new  Special Economic Zones Act, which is intended to repea l the Jamaica Free Zones Act 
of 1996, was approved by Parliament on January 12, 2016.  The SEZ Act will come into effect in 
August 2016.  
 
INDUSTRIAL INCENTIVE S (FACTORY CONSTRUCT ION) ACT  
1. Description  of the programme  
 
Provides an enabling framework for the provision of factory space in Jamaica.  
 
2. Period covered by the notification  
 
Programme description for the calendar year 2015.  
 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
 
To facilitate and  encourage the construction of factories in Jamaica.  
 
4. Status of the subsidy  
 
By virtue of the Fiscal Incentives Act (FIA), 2013, the Industrial Incentives (Factory Construction) 
Act was repealed. There was very little activity under the programme and th erefore no incentives 
were recorded as grandfathered.  
 
FOREIGN SALES CORPOR ATION ACT  
1. Description of the programme  
 
A legislative framework for the operation of Foreign Sales Corporation (FSCs) in Jamaica.  
 
2. Period covered by the notification  
 
Progra mme description for the calendar year 2015.  
 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
 
To attract foreign investment into the country and to promote Jamaica as an attractive FSC 
location.  
 
4. Status of the subsidy  
 
By virtue of the Fiscal Incenti ves Act (FIA), 2013, the Foreign Sales Corporation Act was repealed. 
There was very little activity under the programme and therefore no incentives were recorded as 
grandfathered.  
 
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