Minister Aubyn Hill advances Jamaica’s global investment position at World FZO Congress in Panama

Investment & Commerce, Jamaica’s Business Ministry, is participating in the 12th World Free Zones Organisation (World FZO) World Congress  held at the Panama Convention Centre from 12-14 May 2026 under the theme “Free Zones in the New Global Operating Model: Challenges and Opportunities.”

The Congress brings together Heads of State (both the President of Panama and the President of the Dominican Republic addressed the Congress), Ministers, global investors, and Free Trade Zone leaders to examine how Special Economic Zones must evolve in a rapidly changing global economy shaped by a more unpredictable geopolitics, digital transformation, climate resilience, and shifting trade patterns. Jamaica’s participation reinforces its position as a strategic, efficient, productive, profitable and attractive investment destination, and a leading voice in the transformation of modern Free Zones.

Minister Hill also chaired the Caribbean Ministerial Roundtable, where regional leaders explored the future of Special Economic Zones as integrated industrial ecosystems designed to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and innovation in the global economy. 

The discussions focused on positioning Caribbean economies to better attract investment, deepen value chains, and expand participation in digital and green industries.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Aubyn Hill said Jamaica is deliberately positioning itself at the centre of global investment flows through disciplined reform and strategic clarity. “Jamaica is building Special Economic Zones that work. Zones that are efficient, secure, digitally enabled, and profitable for investors. We are focused on results, productivity, and on prosperity for Jamaicans.

This is how we secure Jamaica’s place in the new global economy.” A major outcome of the Congress was the launch of the Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association (CARI SEZ), on Wednesday, May 13th, led by Jamaica. The Association marks a historic step in regional coordination, aimed at strengthening investment competitiveness, improving policy alignment, and advancing shared standards across the Caribbean Free Trade and Special Economic Zones.

Also, in attendance and actively participating in the Congress, Caribbean Ministerial Roundtable as a panellist was Mrs. Kelli-Dawn Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), who highlighted Jamaica’s whole-of-government approach to investment facilitation and SEZ development.

Throughout the congress, Minister Hill engaged in a series of high-level business-to-business meetings with international investors, Free Zone stakeholders, colleague ministers and government officials from other countries. These engagements are aimed at advancing Jamaica’s investment agenda and promoting opportunities within Jamaica’s Special Economic Zones and broader productive sectors.

The World FZO Congress programme features a comprehensive series of ministerial sessions, panel discussions, breakout forums, networking engagements, and site visits, providing a global platform for dialogue, partnership building, and practical exchange on the future of Free Trade Zones and global trade transformation.

The Congress and the establishment of CARI SEZ, together, mark a significant step forward in advancing a more coordinated, resilient, and investment-ready Caribbean Free Trade Zone architecture, with Jamaica playing a leading role in shaping its direction.

Source: Our Today