TODAY'S JAMAICA, means business...
We are on the radar of serious investors who are seeking out smart investment opportunities in Jamaica. Our credentials are impressive.
We are located at the heart of the Caribbean. We stand ready at the gateway to important trading partners in North, Central and South America, and we are within easy access to Asia via the Panama Canal.
Christopher Columbus was the first to recognise our strategic location on his discovery voyage of 1494. Claiming the island for Spain, Jamaica quickly became a major transhipment point to Central and South America.
A century and a half later, the British fought the Spanish to gain control of Jamaica, which had by then become the pearl of the Caribbean. History tells us that the pirates and buccaneers made Jamaica the richest island in the western hemisphere.
During the long centuries as a colony of Britain, Jamaica became the largest producer of sugar and one of the most valuable assets of the Empire. The wealth produced by the island in the 1800's dazzled Britain, and helped finance the Industrial Revolution in England.
Since then, Jamaica has grown to become the economic hub of the region. Our spirit of enterprise is unparalleled in trade, commerce and investing. We have had several claims to international fame – we led the world in the production of bauxite; our Blue Mountain Coffee is the most exquisite; our unique spicy jerk seasoning the most tantalizing; and our premium rums and very special Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur are unrivalled.
We are the capital of reggae music and a leading tourist destination.
Yet, our greatest resource is our people - determined, creative, talented - many Jamaicans have made us proud, excelling in the international arena in sports, music, the arts, academia and professional endeavours.
Since our Independence in 1962, Jamaica has followed a path of nation building. We have shed the old mantle of Third World, and have come into our own as New World - ready, willing, competent and able to take on the challenges as valued players in the global economy. We have forged ahead with major infrastructure developments - major highways, two state-of-the-art international airports, sophisticated port facilities and telecommunications systems.
Jamaica offers a stable government, a unique cosmopolitan Caribbean living environment, excellent working conditions, and a skilled, highly trained and trainable workforce.
Our investors have confidence in us. We have facilitated highly successful investment projects across the island from mega to medium and micro, in all sectors of the economy.
We pride ourselves in our business hospitality. Our aim is to make our investors feel at home in Jamaica and to establish long term partnerships. To facilitate all aspects of new business ventures, we have tailored a wide range of incentives, which include newly tabled laws and agreements, as well as sector specific concessions and incentives.
Our one-stop investment agency, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), is here to synchronize and accelerate your investment to enable you to operate successfully.
We know how to do business, and do it well.
Welcome to Jamaica!
JAMAICA IS a harmonious blend of all races and culture with an intriguing history that has created one people out of many and a culture that is unmistakably Jamaican. So whether you’re planning to come for leisure or business, you’ll find something to meet your every need in the diversity of Jamaica’s resort areas or in the spontaneity of Kingston, the nation’s capital. Kingston...the Island’s Heartbeat
At the foot of the Blue Mountains, overlooking the world’s 7th largest natural harbour, Jamaica’s vibrant capital is the largest English speaking city south of Miami, Florida. The centre of the country’s government and commerce, Kingston is home to the island’s commercial and cultural establishments. Richly steeped in folklore and adventure with a diverse array of historic and social attractions, the city dishes up sophisticated, upbeat nightlife and, a range of great dining venues offering a cosmopolitan contrast to the rest of the island’s relaxed and easy pace.
Take a tour of the Devon House Mansion, see the impressive works-of-art at the National Gallery, or visit any of the city’s night-clubs and restaurants. Not afraid of an adventure? Sail out to Lime Cay, stop by Port Royal, once a hang-out for pirates, or hike the nearby Blue Mountains. Or maybe you prefer to see the National Dance Theatre Company perform or hear the University Singers.
International musical artistes, sports enthusiasts, world-leaders, historians, gourmands and artists from around the world easily cross paths in the Caribbean’s favourite city. Kingston delivers a potent adrenaline rush, unlike any other Caribbean city.
The most westerly of the English-speaking islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica is 885 kilometres (550 miles) south of Miami, Florida and 145 kilometres (90 miles) south of Cuba. It is 235 km (146 miles) long and 82 km (51 miles) wide.
With low coastal plains and its best beaches on the north and west coasts, and with a mountainous interior, Jamaica is geographically diverse, with its highest peak, at 2,256m (7,402 feet) in the Blue Mountains.
Modern Infrastructure
Jamaica has nine (9) active ports, the largest of which is the Port of Kingston. Geographically and strategically located along the north/south east/west axis of the Caribbean, the port is just 32 miles from the trade routes that pass through the Panama Canal.
The Port of Kingston handles approximately 80% of all imports. It includes a modern container terminal, a large break-bulk wharf with roll on/roll off facilities, an oil refinery and a dry bulk terminal. The present, fully computerised terminal has eleven berths, backed by over 40 hectares of container yard space. Its state-of-the-art stevedoring equipment includes seven rail-mounted 40-ton gantry cranes, 30 straddle carriers, yard chassis and hustlers, refer outlets and a freight station.
Jamaica has two international airports, Norman Manley International Airport located in Kingston and the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
The Norman Manley International Airport sits south of the Kingston Harbour on 228 hectares (563 acres) of land. It has a runway of 816 square metres (8,785 square feet).
The Sangster International Airport runs along the northern strip of the country, 3.2 km from downtown Montego Bay. It’s on approximately 235 hectares (580 acres) of land, with a runway of 809 square metres (8,700 square feet).
Both international airports offer air cargo, courier and ground handling services.
The national carrier, Air Jamaica, is responsible for approximately 60% of the total passenger arrivals and departures.
Meanwhile, American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, BWIA, Copa, Cubana, USAir, Northwest Airlines, Cayman Airways, Condor Airlines and Continental Airlines, Spirit and Virgin Atlantic are but some of the 56 airlines that fly to Jamaica. Additionally, there are several major international charter airlines operating non-scheduled flights into Jamaica as well as two airlines for private and military use.
