Electronic Platform Being Developed to Facilitate Investments

The Government has started development of two complementary electronic platforms that will enable increased efficiency in the investment and exporting sectors.

The platforms are the National Business Portal (NBP) and the National Trade Portal.

This was announced by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, during his address at the opening ceremony for the Jamaica Investment Forum (JIF), hosted at the Iberostar Hotels and Resorts in Montego Bay, St. James, on Tuesday (June 12).

Mr. Shaw said the NBP, being developed on a phased basis, will be the central point through which all investments are routed, providing access to all relevant stakeholders. This will serve to improve transparency and government cohesions.

“Ultimately, the NBP will seek to better streamline business approvals and will represent one key output of the National Investment Policy,” he said.

The National Trade Portal, meanwhile, is aimed at fast-tracking information sharing, facilitating online application submissions; and enabling back-office interface among the Government’s Border Regulatory Agencies.

The trade portal was approved by Cabinet in the 2017/18 fiscal year under the overarching Trade Facilitation Initiative.

Mr. Shaw said both projects are funded through the Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth Project of the World Bank.

“As a country, we have sought to build a strong and robust landscape in which business can thrive, recognising that comprehensive and supportive business facilitation frameworks are essential for investments and business development,” the Minister explained.