The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) in its special economic zone (SEZ) application process requires applicants to submit a variety of documents, come get a better understanding of what those documents are and their role and importance in the JSEZA application process.

1. Understanding the
functions of
documents submitted
to JSEZA
Ainsley Brown
September 2019

2. Developer
A company limited by shares that is
incorporated under the companies
agreement act and is established by a
sponsor for the purposes of entering into a
master-concession or licence-agreement.
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3. Basic Eligibility Requirements
1. SEZ applicant must be company limited by shares
registered under the Companies Act
2. Issued and paid up share capital of a developer/single entity
zone shall not be less than US$1,500,000.00
3. Investments by a developer in any zone shall be sufficient to
accommodate at least three occupants, except single-entity
zones
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4. Occupant
A person, other than a developer of a zone
or zone user, who conducts business in the
zone under a sub-concession that is in
accordance with a master-concession or a
licence-agreement held by the developer.
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5. Basic Eligibility Requirements
1. Occupant issued or paid up share capital shall not be less
than US$25,000.00.
2. Investments by an occupant in zone-related buildings,
machines, equipment, facilities and other necessary assets
during the first year of the occupant’s sub-concession shall
not be less than US$50,000.00.
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6. What are the
documents and
why are they
needed?

7. Payment Receipt

8. What is a Payment Receipt?
A document proving that money,
goods, or information have been
received
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9. Why is Payment Receipt needed?
A copy of the payment receipt is
required to prove that the developer or
occupant has made the payment so
that further processing can be done.
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10. Articles of
Incorporation

11. What is the Articles of Incorporation ?
These documents gives the company's name, names of its
members (shareholders) and number of shares held by them,
and location of its registered office. It also states the company's
(1) objectives, (2) amount of authorized share capital, (3)
whether liability of its members is limited by shares or by
guaranty, and (4) what type of contracts the company can enter.
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12. Why is the Articles of Incorporation needed?
It serves as part of what constitutes proof of incorporation
and provides details of the company such as:
1.The number and names of Shareholders
2.The number and names of Directors
3.The max number so shares that can be issue
4.Number of shares issued on incorporation
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13. Certificate of
Incorporation

14. What is the Certificate of Incorporation?
A legal document relating to the formation of a
company or corporation
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15. Why is the Certificate of Incorporation
needed?
It serves as part of what constitutes proof of
incorporation
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16. Tax Registration
Number

17. What is a Tax Registration Number?
A Taxpayer Registration Number TRN is a unique
nine-digit identification number assigned to each
individual taxpayer, business enterprise, and other
types of organizations. This is needed for but not
limited to remitting G.C.T. & S.C.T. and Paying
Customs Duties.
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18. Why is a Tax Registration Number
needed?
This is needed for but not limited to remitting G.C.T.
& S.C.T. and Paying Customs Duties.
Critically it is needed to access the SEZ fiscal
benefits.
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19. General
Consumption
Tax Number

20. What is the General Consumption Tax
Number?
A unique identification number assigned to
individuals for the Value Added Tax (GCT) on
consumption and is added to the price of goods
and services.
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21. Why is the General Consumption Tax Number
needed?
It is needed to access the SEZ fiscal benefits.
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22. Tax Compliance
Certificate

23. What is a Tax Compliance Certificate?
Tax Compliance Certificate is a document issued
to an individual or a company as proof that
payments of tax liabilities and wage-related
statutory deductions are up-to-date.
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24. Why is a Tax Compliance Certificate
needed?
This provides proof of tax compliance and is
important for monitoring:
1. SEZ performance
2. Conformance with Jamaica’s tax laws
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25. Affidavit

26. What is an Affidavit?
A statement of facts made under oath.
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27. Why is an Affidavit needed?
Developer
1. Land not subject of actual or impending legal
dispute
2. Third parties have no object to SEZ (if
applicable)
3. Transition: setting out commercial information
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28. Why is an Affidavit needed?
Occupant
1. Setting out commercial information
2. Transition: Setting out commercial information
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29. Sub-Concession

30. What is a Sub-Concession?
A sub-concession is an agreement between an
SEZ Developer and an Occupant to allow an
Occupant to enter an SEZ and conduct its
business activities.
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31. Why is a Sub-Concession Lease Agreement
needed?
Forms the basis of and sets out the relationship
between Developer and Occupant.
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32. Certificate of legal
right to land
ownership or
occupancy

33. What is a Certificate of legal right to land
ownership or occupancy?
This is proof that the developer or occupant has
certified use of the land and such information is
necessary for the SEZ process.
A title or lease.
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34. Why is a Certificate of legal right to land
ownership or occupancy needed?
It must always be remembered that a SEZ is a
geographic space therefore right to legally occupy
this space is of critical importance.
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35. Surveyor’s
Documents

36. What are the Surveyor’s Documents?
1. Technical description
2. ID Site Plan
3. Report
This shows a detailed description of the area in
relation to the boundaries of the land longitude,
topography and other geographic features
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37. Why are the Surveyor’s Documents needed?
It must always be remembered that a SEZ is a
geographic space therefore the Authority needs to
have an understanding of the space as part of it
evaluation and analysis.
Need to define the geographic space for
designation of a SEZ.
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38. Project
Implementation
Schedule

39. What is a Project Implementation
Schedule?
Detailed description of actions that demonstrate
how to implement an activity within the project in
the context of achieving project objectives,
addressing requirements, and meeting
expectations agreed between Developer and the
Authority.
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40. Why is a Project Implementation Schedule
needed?
It forms a critical part of the License Agreement
and Sub-concession.
Build it or lose it.
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41. Permits

42. What is a Permit?
A certificate or document written authorization to
carry out a certain process.
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43. Why is a Permit needed?
Two examples:
1. Fire
2. Building
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44. Developme
nt Plan

45. What is a Development Plan?
A plan which is usually prepared by planners to
guide or promote development in an area. It usually
contains maps of the area, and planning policies
and proposals for the area.
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46. Why is a Development Plan needed?
It is approved by the Authority and forms part of the
License Agreement.
It is what the Developer has promised and is
approved to build and the Authority hold them to
account.
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47. Master
Plan

48. What is the Master Plan?
A master plan is a dynamic long-term planning
document that provides a conceptual layout to guide
future growth and development.
Master planning is about making the connection
between buildings, social settings, and their
surrounding environments
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49. What is the Master Plan?
A master plan includes analysis, recommendations,
and proposals for a site’s population, economy,
housing, transportation, community facilities, and
land use.
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50. Why is the Master Plan needed?
It is approved by the Authority and forms part of the
License Agreement. It performs the role to:
> Develop a phasing and implementation schedule
and identify priorities for action
> A framework for regen attract private sector
investment.
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51. Why is the Master Plan needed?
> Conceptualize and shape the three-dimensional
urban environment.
> Define public, semiprivate, and private spaces
and public amenities.
> Determine the mix of uses and their physical
relationship.
https://urban-regeneration.worldbank.org/node/51
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52. Lease
Agreement

53. What is a Lease Agreement?
An agreement between the owner of vacant land or
property (the “landlord” or “lessor”) and an individual
or entity who wants to develop or improve the
property (the “tenant” or “lessee”).
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54. Why is a Lease Agreement needed?
It must always be remembered that a SEZ is a
geographic space therefore right to legally occupy
this space is of critical importance.
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55. Business
Plan

56. What is a Business Plan?
A document setting out a business's future
objectives and strategies for achieving them.
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57. Why is a Business Plan needed?
It is approved by the Authority and forms part of the
License Agreement and Sub-concession.
It is what the Developer or Occupant has promised
and is approved to do and the Authority holds them
to account.
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58. Disaster
Management
and
Emergency
plan

59. What is a Disaster Management and
Emergency plan?
A course of action developed to mitigate the
damage of potential events that could endanger an
organization's ability to function. Such a plan should
include measures that provide for the safety of
personnel and, if possible, property and facilities.
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60. Why is a Disaster Management and
Emergency plan needed?
It is part of the Authority’s dive to ensure that Zones
are safe and secure.
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61. Business
Continuity Plan

62. What is a Business Continuity plan?
A course of action developed to mitigate the
damage of potential events that could endanger an
organization's ability to function. Such a plan should
include measures that provide for the safety of
personnel and, if possible, property and facilities.
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63. Why is a Business Continuity plan
needed?
It is part of the Authority’s dive to ensure that Zones
are safe and secure.
Jamaica is situated in a hurricane and earthquake
zone and is also susceptible to other natural and
man-made disasters, therefore having plans in
place to quickly ‘bounce back’ adds to the
sustainability and resilience of Jamaican SEZs.
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64. Financial Plan

65. What is a Financial Plan?
A financial plan is a comprehensive statement of an
individual's long-term objectives for security and
well-being and a detailed savings and investing
strategy for achieving those objectives
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66. Why is a Financial Plan needed?
Critically this assists with answering:
1. Is the Developer’s or Occupant’s proposal
financially feasible?
2. Does the Developer or Occupant appear to
have the financial resources to execute on their
proposal?
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67. 67
Thanks!
Any questions?