COJ piloting Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF)

To improve service to its customers, the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, is piloting an Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF), which will allow for expedited Business Name Reservation and Registration.

The COJ intends, when the platform is fully operational, to offer registration on a 24 hour/seven-days a week basis.

The rollout of the eBRF is a two-phased effort. Phase 1 will facilitate the implementation of Business Name Reservation and Registration for sole proprietor and partnership (individual); while Phase 2 will see the launch of corporate sole proprietor and partnerships, as well as, company incorporation (limited by shares and limited by guarantee).

To accommodate access by customers, kiosks will also be placed at Tax Administration Jamaica Revenue Centres in Montego Bay, Constant Spring and Spanish Town.

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw who visited the COJ’s offices in New Kingston on April 11, viewed a live demonstration of registering a business using the eBRF. The Minister was also briefed on how the system would operate.

According to Mrs. Judith Ramlogan, Registrar, Companies Office of Jamaica, this is a major improvement in the way COJ provides services to customers.

“We continually strive to improve the services that we offer to our customers. This is the first online service that we are offering to our customers and, the next big thing will be the filing of change documents, especially annual returns online”, she added.

Miss Sania McDonald, a customer who was part of the live demonstration expressed her satisfaction with the eBRF. “I am quite happy with this system, it is very easy to use and I didn’t have to wait outside in that long line”, she informed.

The eBRF will boast the following features:
• Simple online form with help wizard
• Allowance for online business name reservation
– 30-day option ($500.00)
– 2-day option (free)
• Online payment using COJ eBank subscription
• Secret phrase for verification
• Confirmation of registration by email data protection and,
• Ability to track documents
Further information may be obtained from the COJ’s website at www.orcjamaica.com.
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