KINGSTON: The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), in association with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), launched the Jamaica Logistics Hub Master Plan on Thursday, November 16, at a public session at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, Mona. Prior to the public launch, the Master Plan was presented to senior Ministers of the Government of Jamaica, Hon. Audley Shaw and Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, as well as Executive Director of the Economic Growth Council, Senator Aubyn Hill.

JSEZA, which is housed under the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, is the Government agency responsible for facilitating the development of Jamaica’s special economic zones. The Master Plan, designed by international consultancy, Nathan Associates in conjunction with Berger ABAM, recommends land use and infrastructure improvements necessary for successful implementation of the Jamaica Logistics Hub Initiative, which will involve the creation of zones, the upgrading and further development of ports and the creation of an enabling environment, allowing businesses to fully exploit Jamaica’s strategic location.

Dr. Paul Kent, senior vice-president of Nathan Associates, presented the draft Master Plan, and said Jamaica can now move forward in asserting its position in global trade. The final Master Plan will be submitted at the end of November 2017, following feedback they have received locally, including at Thursday’s public session.

“The roadmap outlined in this report represents one of the most significant milestones in Jamaica’s modern industrial history,” said Dr. Eric Deans, chief executive officer of JSEZA, during his opening remarks. He said the Master Plan “demonstrates the link between the vision [and] the future possibilities for the Logistics Hub, and establishes the overall character, extent, and location of various land uses.”

The draft Master Plan outlined that, at full build-out, there will be over 3,800 hectares of development
across the island, an investment of over US$28 billion and 87,000 direct jobs. Dr. Deans emphasised that the development of Jamaica as a Logistics Hub will be an ongoing process. The feasibility study for the
Caymanas Special Economic Zone, for example, should be concluded during 2018, followed by its
development.

Other projects mentioned in the draft Master Plan, that constitute elements of the Logistics Hub, include the dredging of the shipping channel in the Kingston Harbour, private concession of the Kingston Container Terminal and the expansion of Port Esquivel.

PIOJ Deputy Director General Kirk Philips, who spoke on behalf of the institute, explained its involvement. “We funded the consultancy that developed the [Master Plan], through the Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth Project (FCGP) … a US$50 million project designed to strengthen the business environment in Jamaica for private sector development,” he noted.

Thomas Vis, senior private sector development specialist for the World Bank, and task team leader for the FCGP, also spoke. The World Bank provided the loan of US$50 million that funded the FCGP. Also in attendance were Opposition Spokesman on Industry, Investment and Commerce Peter Bunting and Shadow Minister for Development and National Physical Planning Anthony Hylton. A question and answer session followed the presentations.

As a Logistics Hub, Jamaica is positioned to be the fourth node in global logistics, joining Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. It will establish the country as a significant player in the global shipping and logistics industry, and potential investors and business interests will see themselves as being within striking distance of a market of 800 million people, including North America and Brazil.

The FCGP is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica. It is aimed at enhancing competition in the business environment through the implementation of reforms that will improve the ease of doing business in Jamaica as well as increase the country’s global competitiveness.