Beyond its image as a tourist destination, Jamaica is a place to do business on a global scale. JAMPRO is that gateway which connects the world to Jamaica, enabling entrepreneurs from around the globe to tap into the wealth of trade and investment opportunities available in the country.
JAMPRO - Jamaica’s investment and export promotion agency - was established in 1988 to stimulate, facilitate, and promote the development of trade and industry, and export and investment activities in all sectors of the island’s economy. The agency drives this process through focus on a number of targeted sectors which include the creative industries (film, music and entertainment), manufacturing, tourism, agri-business, information and communication technology, mining, and professional services.
JAMPRO has two focal points - investment and trade promotions – and has two local offices as well as an office in London serving Western Europe. Jamaica Trade & Invest also makes use of embassy facilities. In recent years the agency has put an extra focus on local direct investments to encourage Jamaican nationals to invest in Jamaica and has also committed to improving the business climate and the investment attractiveness for the country, in partnership with other government agencies.
In facilitating investment, JAMPRO guides investors through the necessary steps to making their projects possible, and also walks them through the approvals process and stays with them even after their investments are operational.
Operating under the direction of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, JAMPRO's continuous mission is to promote Brand Jamaica, attract and land jobs and wealth-creating investments to Jamaica and secure lucrative markets for quality Brand Jamaican products.
The agency is committed to ensuring sustainable development arising from foreign direct investment into the country - both in terms of the environment and in the deepening of the absorptive capacity of the economy by encouraging growth in local direct investments.
In 2008, JAMPRO was the recipient of the international accolade: “Best Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) from a Small Country”, awarded at the 7th World Conference of Trade Promotion Organizations held in the Netherlands in October of that year.
Delaine Morgan, Acting Executive Director, Trade and Business Development Division, accepts JAMPRO's award for "Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Small Country"
JAMPRO was copping the award for the second time in four years for its work in promoting a pro-export business environment that has led to increased exports, poverty reduction and economic growth. The World Trade Promotion Organisation specifically cited the agency for its work in facilitating trade, advocating sustainable policies, and developing the capacity of firms through a variety of technical assistance programmes to achieve competitiveness.
By securing and offering technical and financial assistance for its clients through international donor agencies, JAMPRO works at sustaining and building micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), recognizing that they form the Jamaican economy's backbone. JAMPRO facilitated $2.46 billion in export sales during the 2007-2008 fiscal year among non-traditional exporters. During the same period, the trade and promotion agency also facilitated unprecedented investment capital expenditure (CAPEX) inflows of over $22.9 billion and created 7,277 jobs.
JAMPRO is keen on making local businesses export-ready, ensuring the sustainable development of the export sector, and boosting Jamaica’s overall export performance. The agency scouts out and packages opportunities for trade with overseas markets and opportunities for local and foreign direct investment. JAMPRO, as such, seeks to maintain business relationships with key players in international markets which can help create this competitive advantage.
Below is a snapshot of the services that JAMPRO offers:
Provision of business information and advisory services
Trade and investment incentives
Export-related training
Creation of business linkages
Facilitation of business matchmaking
Provision of funding sources and technical assistance
Enterprise Rating and Upgrading
Investment facilitation
Business development initiatives
MONTEGO BAY OFFICE JAMPRO
UGI Building
30 Market Street, 2nd Floor,
Montego Bay, St. James
Jamaica W.I.
Phone: +1 876 952 3420
Fax: +1 876 952 1384
email: jampromobay@jamprocorp.com
