Government launches bureaucracy hotline

The government has moved to improve the business environment in Jamaica with the launch of a bureaucracy hotline ‘1-888-red tape’.

The hotline was officially launched this morning at the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce in Kingston, according to a release.

The hotline is an interim mechanism whose main function is to collect data on the challenges, bottlenecks and impediments to doing business in Jamaica, the Ministry said.

Members of the public are being asked to call 1888-redtape, (1-888- 733 8273), or email noredtape@miic.gov.jm to register complains about hurdles and inefficiencies in trying to conduct business with government offices.

Operators will take calls from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, the release said.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton, who also chairs the National Competitiveness Council, emphasized that improving the environment for doing business and raising Jamaica’s level of competitiveness are of central importance to the ministry.

Over the last five years Jamaica’s ranking on the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Report’, used by international investors to gauge the investment climate in a country, has slipped.

The business community and other members of the public are increasingly demanding improvements in government services related to the approval and facilitation of investment projects, the release noted.

In addition, local businesses continue to lobby for an enhanced business environment to improve their regional and global competitiveness.

Hylton pointed out that the proposal for Jamaica to become the global trans-shipment and logistics hub of the Americas, is built on a platform of efficiency in business.

He added that with the expected increase in economic activity associated with the expansion of the Panama Canal, Jamaica must make radical improvements to the business environment to facilitate investment, economic growth and job creation.

Hylton said the perception that inefficiency is the hallmark of many government agencies must be changed and that the signal must be clear that Jamaica is open and ready for business.

The bureaucracy hotline is the first step towards making the necessary changes.

business@gleanerjm.com