By Chris Patterson
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – Minister of industry, investment and commerce, senator Aubyn Hill, says the government is committed to building out the digital ecosystem to foster greater participation of local entities in international trade.
Addressing a capacity-building session on e-commerce and the digital economy at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew on March 19, senator Hill said that prime minister, Andrew Holness, is leading initiatives in e-commerce, recognising that “for the country be competitive in the global digital economy, we must act decisively.”
“This is why we have embarked on a comprehensive legislative and regulatory reform agenda. We are aligning with international best practices, learning from global leaders, and ensuring that our policies create an environment where Jamaican businesses can succeed, grow, increase their productivity and profitability, and create successful businesses in the digital space,” he said.
Senator Hill informed that the Trade Board Limited is driving digital transformation with platforms such as Export Jamaica, which provides market intelligence and compliance information for exporters.
In addition, the Export Academy, which is a free online training platform, offers personalised training to Jamaican business owners, entrepreneurs, students, and others interested in exporting their products and services to strengthen their export performance.
“The Jamaica Trade Information Portal, a combination between the Trade Board, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), launched in May 2019, consolidates regulatory information for cross-border transactions reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing transparency,” he said.
Minister Hill said that Jamaica’s participation in the digital trade movement is not just about goods; it is also about services.
“We must be the logistics and ecommerce provider for the region,” he declared. “Policymakers, regulators, private-sector leaders… you are all part of the movement to change and improve Jamaica’s digital trade ecosystem, but it’s not just to make the ecosystem better; it’s to make sure we do a lot more trade, a lot more trade in services so that this country can become richer. I have no interest in poverty except to eradicate it,” the minister said.
“This sensitisation session makes it clear that Jamaica is serious about digital trade innovation and serious about creating a regulatory environment that empowers every Jamaican business while protecting our consumers and every citizen in this country and their privacy,” senator Hill added.
The session was organised by the ministry and the International Trade Centre, which is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
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