Business View Caribbean | May 2016

38 May 2016 - Business View Caribbean Business View Caribbean - May 2016 39 The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture - A conversation with former Minister Anthony Hylton Serving the island’s construction industry The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture (MICAF) is described as Jamaica’s “Business Ministry.” Its mandate is to lead in the development of policies that will create growth and jobs, while achieving social inclusion and consumer protection. The Ministry, work- ing with its stakeholders, is primarily responsible for business policy development, monitoring, and evalua- tion, while giving direction and oversight to a cluster of implementing departments and agencies. The mission of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture is: • To increase local and foreign investments • To be the driver of innovation and job creation • To promote and protect Jamaican brands, consum- ers, and businesses • To create an enabling environment to increases earnings from export The following text is taken from a recent conversation with former Minister, Anthony Hylton, who oversaw the Ministry for the past several years when it was called the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. Although both the name and the leadership of the Min- istry changed when a new government was installed in Jamaica, this past February, its basic functions remain the same. And former Minister Hylton’s comments are still eminently relevant and timely. Mr. Minister, can you speak a little bit about the busi- ness climate in Jamaica and why it’s a good place to do business? “The global indices indicate that Jamaica is in a ‘sweet spot’ and has entered a period where we have focused on improving our business rankings in a variety of ar- eas: in our ease of doing business; in our competitive- ness; in our profile for investment; and in logistics per- formance. Forbes Magazine sums it up best by saying Jamaica is, at the moment, the best country in the Ca- ribbean for doing business and for investing. We have what it takes to attract investment, drive industrial de- velopment, and enable commerce to take place in a very efficient and competitive manner. The mix of poli- cies and programs being pursued by the government, and the professionalism that increasingly exists within AT A GLANCE WHO: Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce WHAT: A ministry of the government of Jamaica WHERE: Kingston, Jamaica WEBSITE : www.miic.gov.jm