Free zones help boost economy Free zones play a key role in Jamaica’s economy. Exempt from normal taxes and Customs dues, they offer first-rate opportunities for inward investors. Jamaica has four strategically placed free zones with facilities for added-value activities like manufacturing and packaging.
T
he strategic location of Jamaica on major trade routes has brought key benefits to companies involved in importing raw materials and exporting finished products to markets around the world.
Jamaica’s free zones provide opportunities for goods to be manufactured, warehoused
• Free zones in Kingston, Montego Bay and Portmore
or packaged for export, all free of normal
• Key role in attracting inward investment
infrastructure and communications at all the
taxes and Customs dues. Security, zones are well up to international standards.
• Versatile units in a range of sizes for commercial activities
Kingston
• Ready access to educated and literate workforce
The island’s four free zones are operated by
• First-rate ICT facilities • Ideal location for those targeting international markets
the Port Authority of Jamaica: • Kingston Free Zone (KFZ), the first free zone in Jamaica, was established in 1976 as a warehousing operation to support the transhipment operations at Kingston Container Terminal. Covering an area of about 6 hectares, KFZ has standard modules, of 558 square metres each, for manufacturing and warehousing. The zone has direct access to the Port of Kingston and lies within easy reach of Norman Manley International Airport. • Montego Bay Free Zone (MBFZ) was established in 1985 to build on the success of Kingston Free Zone. The estate covers 37 hectares and contains office units of 465 square metres. MBFZ is used mainly for ICT
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Jamaica Port Handbook 2012-13