Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce (1st right), is pictured with Mr. Steven Whittingham, Chairman, Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) (1st left), Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) (2nd left), Consul General of Jamaica in New York, Mrs. Alsion Roach Wilson, OD (centre), and Ms. Andrea Kelly, GM, Jamaica Central Securities Depository (JCSD) (2nd right) at the “Investing in Jamaica and Housing Forum 2025,” held on May 8, 2025, at Resorts World New York. The event was hosted by Jamaica’s Consulate General in New York in partnership with the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE).
NEW YORK, USA – May 9, 2025: Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, delivered the keynote address at the Investing in Jamaica and Housing Forum hosted at Resorts World, New York City, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The high-level event, staged by Jamaica’s Consulate General in New York in partnership with the Jamaica Stock Exchange, brought together members of the Jamaican Diaspora, investment leaders, and institutional partners for a focused discussion on unlocking investment opportunities in Jamaica.
Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill laid out Jamaica’s macroeconomic case for investment highlighting historic levels of stability, growth and confidence.
“Jamaica has a record-low unemployment at 3.5%, a stable Jamaican dollar, inflation under control within the Bank of Jamaica’s 4-6% target range and Net International Reserves at an all-time high of US$5.785 billion. Our Andrew Holness Administration’s disciplined fiscal management and leadership are the bedrock of this success,” said Minister Hill.
He also stated that Jamaica’s economic transformation is being led by a strategic focus on exports and private sector-driven growth, with Special Economic Zones (SEZs) playing a key role in that shift. These zones offer investors substantial tax benefits, cutting the corporate income tax rate to 12.5%, with opportunities for further reduction to 7.5%. Minister Hill emphasized that SEZs are positioning Jamaica as a regional centre in logistics, manufacturing, and high-value service exports.
Minister Hill’s address anchored the forum’s evening session, which explored themes including emerging markets, real estate investment, diaspora wealth creation, and doing business in Jamaica. Attendees engaged in an active and transparent question-and-answer session with Minister Hill, where he addressed diaspora concerns and emphasized the Andrew Holness Administration’s commitment to maintaining a stable, sustainable, investor-friendly climate.
Throughout the day, representatives from Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Autbority (JSEZA), two of twenty agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Victoria Mutual and Jamaica National groups, Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ), and major real estate and financial firms provided detailed briefings and one-on-one engagement with participants, showcasing pathways to invest in housing, capital markets, and SEZ-linked industries. The New York forum followed an engagement in Philadelphia on Tuesday, as part of the Consulate's broader strategy to deepen diaspora investment ties and capitalize on Jamaica’s strong economic and financial fundamentals.
Source: New York, USA
