Growth Agenda & Special Economic Zones Policy Dialogue

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, through the Jamaica Logistics Hub Secretariat, headed by Dr. Eric Deans, and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Policy Steering Committee, chaired by Mrs. Patricia Francis, will be hosting an international dialogue titled “The Growth Agenda & Special Economic Zones Policy Dialogue” at the Jamaica Conference Centre from October 6 to 7, 2014.

The dialogue, to be held under the theme: “Positioning Jamaica for the Global Market”, aims to facilitate a “meeting of the minds”’ of technical experts and academics to identify strategies and approaches to address matters related to Special Economic Zones in Jamaica. Feedback will be obtained from local and international experts on the suitability, marketability and competitiveness of the SEZ policy framework, as the Ministry seeks to establish a modern integrated policy framework for the operation of SEZs.

An Interim Policy has been developed by the Ministry to provide an overview of the issues and challenges that the SEZ policy framework should address, as well as possible strategies and approaches to resolve the challenges identified. The draft Policy has benefitted from consultations with various organisations, some of which are represented on the SEZ Policy Steering Committee. In addition, public and private sector organisations were invited to review the draft Policy and provide written comments. The Growth Agenda and Special Economic Zones Policy Dialogue is an extension of that process.

Additionally, “The Growth Agenda and Special Economic Zones Policy Dialogue” seeks to build awareness among key organisations about the direction of the Government, in order to influence and boost investor confidence.

Overall, the SEZ policy framework is designed to enhance and create important social and economic linkages within the Jamaican economy. The framework will help to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, create high quality employment, and enable seamless integration of local businesses into the global value chain. A modern SEZ regime will stimulate economic growth through expanded production of goods and services, and diversification of the Jamaican economy. It will also bring Jamaica in compliance with its international obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2015.

Participants in the Forum will include professionals from international and local academic institutions, training institutions, associations and interest groups, ministries, departments and agencies, free zone operators, free zone companies, technical experts and industry players, representatives of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Bank technocrats, other multilateral partners, logistics companies, free zone operators, and various entities relevant to the sector.