Government Supports Export Efforts Of Local Businesses

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, said the Government is committed to facilitating the export efforts of local businesses.

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, Dr. Dunn said the Government has been pursuing several initiatives to facilitate increased exports.

“We believe that export is the lifeblood of our economy. We need to not just trade for trading sake. We trade to earn foreign exchange that can allow us to purchase and or produce goods and services that our people need here in Jamaica, so trade and export is an integral part, but it is also a great push that we have re-energised at MIIC,” he said.

The State Minister added that the implementation of the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) at the Trade Board Limited has seen an improvement in the processing of export permits.

“One of the successes of JSWIFT is that we have been able to turn around the export permits within two to four hours rather than 24 hours. The export component was instituted before the import component, which shows the level of interest that the Government has in export,” he said.

JSWIFT is a one-stop-shop facility designed to provide fully automated services to enable traders and their representatives to transact all attendant business engagements online through a single portal.

Dr. Dunn reiterated that the Government will continue to be responsive to the needs of exporters.

“Export has its challenges. We have a number of small manufacturers that are engaged in developing new products for themselves, and we are facilitating and encouraging them through the export process. We believe that Jamaica is the perfect place to do business. We have the skills and we have the commitment from the Government to ensure that our stakeholders achieve their objectives, as we are their equal partner,” he explained.

JSWIFT is implemented, hosted and operated by the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) on behalf of the Government of Jamaica.

Source: JIS