International Customs Day & Week 2022

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 21 CUSTOMS WEEK T HE JAMAICA Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) has and continues to support Jamaica’s economic growth through the facilitation of sustainable invest- ment by offering attractive and in- centives to prospective investors. The JSEZA’s efforts have allowed Jamaica to remain competitive in the global business landscape. WITH APPROXIMATELY 190 en- tities operating and registered as special economic zones (SEZs), the JSEZA has secured a plethora of jobs and an influx of local and in- ternational investments. Through exceptional work, the process of knowledge sharing regarding how to navigate and take advantage of opportunities has become far more enhanced, resulting in more com- petitive and sustainable investment interests. There are approximately 5,000 SEZs globally which utilise the pol- icies of the respective governments and their efforts to position econ- omies to meet current and future demands. The thrust towards the development of creative sectors, advancements in technology (arti- ficial intelligence and the Internet of Things), and human capital has significantly contributed to the suc- cess of SEZs globally. SEZs provide entrepreneurs, creatives, manufac- turers, and investors with a unique opportunity to incorporate technol- ogy and innovation to bring forth value-added profitable goods and services. In April 2020, as the friendly reg- ulator, the JSEZA launched its SEZ monitoring framework to foster transparency and reduce profit loss within our zones, whilst edu- cating zone users, stakeholders, and occupants. Our cornerstone partnerships with two of our main stakeholders, the Tax Administration of Jamaica and the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), have greatly assisted in the ease of doing business, for which Jamaica is known, and yielded prof- itable results for the country. Currently, Jamaica has benefited from over $565 million in invest- ments from SEZs alone and the creation of over 39,190 jobs – a fig- ure which is expected to increase significantly by the end of the year. The authority anticipates that it will continue to collaborate with the JCA to fulfil the aim of increas- ing investments, contributing to the sustainable growth and devel- opment of the Jamaican economy by advancing its special economic zones. As we bolster our zones and business strategies, we anticipate that a continued partnership with the Jamaica Customs Agency will significantly and positively impact Jamaica’s GDP and development. – Contributed by Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority Special economic zones: A path to sustainable investment CUSTOMS TIPS 7 Make use of the door-to-door delivery services offered by some agents and port operators, which could reduce travel and wait time. 8 Items exported temporarily for repairs or commercial use must first be registered with Jamaica Customs, using an Electronic Customs Declaration-EX2. Reimported items which are upgraded, altered, or re- placed may attract customs duty. 9 Charity organisations must ensure that certificates of registration are valid, or up-to-date, before undertaking clearance. 10 For Customs-related information, visit the JCA’s website, our social media platforms, or contact us by telephone at 876-922-5140-8, or email: public.relations@jca.gov.jm .