Policies
Home > Policies
| Industry Policies | Tourism Policies | Entertainment Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Development of an Entrepreneurial Culture | Incentives for Attractions | Entertainment Sector Policy Proposal |
| Development of Value Added Products | Hotel Incentives Act (HIA) & Resort Cottages Incentives Act (RCIA) | |
| Encouragement of Export Industries | Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development | |
| Investment Facilitation | ||
| Free Zone and Office Spaces | ||
| Modernization of Industry | ||
| Strengthening of SME Sector |
| Policies that are being developed | Stage |
|---|---|
| Cluster Competitiveness | 2 |
| Entertainment Sector Policy Proposal Discussion Paper | 2 |
| Export Encouragement and Investment Development in the Services Sector | 6 |
| Improved Access to Small and Micro Financing Programmes | 5 |
| Policies to be developed in FY 2005/2006 | Stage |
|---|---|
| *Small Business Development | 4 |
| Policy to streamline and integrate the management of motorized and non-motorized water based leisure sports in marine recreational areas. | 1 |
| Policy to streamline and integrate the management of river based water sports activities in rivers designated for recreational areas. | 1 |
*Although there are a number of ongoing programmes relative to small business development, there is currently no specific policy document (other than the National Industrial Policy) which addresses the various areas or support arms for the development of the micro and small business sector. The objective of the proposed policy is to articulate in a precise and clear way government's vision for the sector and how the vision is to be achieved.
Key
- Cabinet Office advised of intention
- Initial Concept paper
- Plan of action prepared and submitted to Cabinet Office
- Policy document being prepared
- Public Consultations
- Approved (a) Committee (b) Cabinet
- Approved by Parliament
GOJ POLICY REGISTER MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & TOURISM
TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND ENTERTAINMENT POLICIES
TOURISM DIVISION
Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development
Consistent with global and regional trends in tourism, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism's underlying policy thrust has been the development of a sustainable tourism industry while improving our competitive position in the marketplace. This is articulated in the Ministry's key policy document, the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development in Jamaica. The Master Plan recognizes that the greater diversification of our product offering is the key to improving our competitive position both regionally and in the global context. It acknowledges that sustainability requires: greater involvement of communities in the industry, whether as entrepreneurs, or as service providers, so that there will be a better spread of the benefits; incorporation of more opportunities to showcase Jamaica's culture and heritage; forging stronger linkages with sports and entertainment; forging stronger linkages with other productive sectors and greater focus on environmental management and protection by all players in the sector. Also, there has been increased effort in events led (including sporting events) promotion and in focusing more attention on marketing and promotions in Europe.
Hotel Incentives Act (HIA) & Resort Cottages Incentives Act (RCIA)
The Ministry continues to grant incentives to the tourism sector through administration of the Hotel Incentive Act (HIA) and the Resort Cottages Incentives Act (RCIA).
Under the provisions of the HIA and the RCIA hotel/resort cottages operators are entitled to certain concessions, namely, relief from Custom Duties and Income Tax for a specified period - in the case of hotels: 10-15 years, and in the case of resort cottages - 7 years. Applications may be made by new properties or existing properties which are doing expansion, alterations or refurbishing.
Incentives for Attractions
Since April 2003, Cabinet granted approval for incentives to be made available to the attractions sub-sector. Incentives are made available for the establishment, refurbishment, conservation, reconstruction, and repositioning of attractions in the market place and in an effort to stimulate growth in the sub-sector.
The sub-sector now benefits by importing specific items free of GCT and Custom Duty up to a maximum of five years and Corporate Tax exemption if required and approved for the same time period.
ENTERTAINMENT DIVISION
Entertainment Sector Policy Proposal
Through the Entertainment Division of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism the government of Jamaica seeks to position the entertainment sector as a national priority, in recognition of the pivotal role the sector plays in social and economic development as well as promoting the creative excellence of our people and the nation generally.
The proposed Entertainment Sector Policy Document (April 2001) emphasizes the need to create an appropriately staffed, efficient, effective and accountable public/private sector infrastructure that delivers high quality service to an enabled entertainment sector.
INDUSTRY DIVISION
Development of an Entrepreneurial Culture
To provide a policy framework and the necessary institutional support to develop enterprise skills in young people and to encourage the creation of new and innovative enterprises in order to achieve economic growth and increased productivity.
Development of Value Added Products
To provide the policy framework and institutional support to encourage the use of adaptive technology/research and development in order to facilitate the process of product innovation and material research in relation to natural resources - fibres, clays, fruits, herbs - and creative efforts in software development in order to exploit new and emerging business opportunities.
Encouragement of Export Industries
To provide the policy framework and policy interventions to promote continued expansion of exports through the growth of existing competitive industries in tradable goods and services as well as diversification into new competitive industries.
Investment Facilitation
To contribute to an appropriate framework for investment by ensuring that the business environment is more business friendly, efficient and competitive particularly in terms of the turn around period for the approval process of investment applications.
Modernization of Industry
To ensure that the policy framework and the policy interventions encourage firms to engage in the retooling of plant and equipment, technological upgrading and modernization of processes and that the institutional support is provided to firms seeking and requiring technical assistance in their operations.
Free Zone and Office Spaces
To facilitate the delivery of competitive investment and export expansion through the provision of ready factory and office space for activities in targeted sectors - ITC, light manufacturing agro processing - and in aiding such firms to benefit from reduced transaction costs through agglomeration of support services and resources.
Strengthening of SME Sector
To provide an environment that is conducive to micro and small enterprise development in order to assist in the growth and competitiveness of these firms and the employment and export opportunities they provide training, financing, technical assistance and business development services are critical support measures to the thrust.
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