Commerce Division
The Commerce Division of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) is responsible for developing policies and programmes that facilitate commerce and govern business and trade activities in Jamaica. Its mandate includes creating a stable, competitive, and transparent environment to enhance commercial activities, sustain businesses, and promote exports and investments. The division aims to balance the interests of domestic and regional producers, importers, retailers, and consumers.
Functions of the Commerce Division:
- Policy Development: Design, recommend, and implement policies, strategies, legislation, and programmes to ensure a stable and transparent commercial environment that balances the interests of various stakeholders.
- CARICOM Administration: Administer Caribbean Community (CARICOM) safeguards and Common External Tariff (CET) suspensions in line with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
- Commodity Management: Formulate projects and programmes to manage and monitor select sensitive commodities.
- Agency Collaboration: Monitor, support, and ensure close collaboration with commerce-related departments and agencies within the Ministry’s portfolio.
Services Offered by the Commerce Division:
- Suspension/Alteration of the CET: This incentive allows registered manufacturers to import raw materials and intermediate goods duty-free.
- Application Process:
- Complete the “Suspension Form.”
- Complete the “CARICOM Value Form.”
- Application Process:
- Safeguard Mechanism Certificate to Manufacturers: This mechanism ensures compliance with the Rules of Origin (ROO), allowing manufacturers to use extra-regional inputs while still qualifying for duty-free access under CARICOM.
- Application Process:
- Complete the “Safeguard Application Form.”
- Submit a letter describing the item(s) for which suspension is requested.
- Send the completed application to commerce@miic.gov.jm.
- Application Process:
- Removal of the Word “Limited” from Company Names: Companies wishing to remove “Limited” from their names must submit a letter outlining the company’s contributions to the community and any amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Association.
- Required Documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation (original and copy).
- Articles of Incorporation (original and copy).
- Memorandum of Association (if registered before 2004) (original and copy).
- Special Resolution from the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) if amendments were made to the Articles.
- MIIC Special Resolution form.
- Required Documents:
- Extension of Financial Year: Section 150 facilitates the extension of the financial year for a holding company or its subsidiary to align with that of the holding company and to postpone the submission of relevant accounts to a general meeting from one calendar year to the next.
- Application Process:
- Submit a letter requesting the extension of the financial year along with relevant documents.
- Application Process:
Agency/Department Liaison:
The Commerce Division collaborates with various agencies and departments, including:
- Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies (DCFS).
- Office of the Government Trustee.
- Office of the Supervisor of Insolvency (OSI).
- Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ).
- Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC).
- Fair Trading Commission (FTC).
- Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC).
- National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA).
- Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID).
- National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ).
