JSEZA to digitise application process to improve ease of doing business

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) is moving to digitise its application process as part of ongoing efforts to improve the ease of doing business, strengthen investor confidence and support the continued growth of Jamaica’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) regime. Chief Executive Officer of JSEZA, Kelli-Dawn Hamilton, explained that the digital platform will allow the authority to track the customer journey from application to approval, making it easier to identify bottlenecks and implement targeted improvements. “We’re digitising our application process to identify where the gaps are, and to understand exactly where applicants encounter challenges, so that we can make the process more efficient, more transparent and more responsive to their needs,” Hamilton said in response to a question posed during a stakeholder consultation session held recently at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

She pointed out that the initiative forms part of JSEZA’s broader programme of continuous improvement aimed at creating a more business-friendly environment for investors. The digitisation effort complements the authority’s ongoing development of Jamaica’s first Special Economic Zone Master Plan, which is expected to provide greater certainty regarding the strategic location of future zones, priority investment sectors and the supporting infrastructure needed to foster long-term industrial growth. According to Hamilton, both initiatives are designed to position Jamaica to compete more effectively for investment by ensuring that the country’s regulatory and planning frameworks are modern, efficient and responsive to the needs of business.

She emphasised that improving the investor experience extends beyond processing applications. “It’s about creating an ecosystem that supports investment from start to finish. That means making our systems easier to navigate, providing greater predictability and ensuring that investors have the confidence to choose Jamaica,” Hamilton said.