Jamaica’s Policy
Making Process: Large
Scale Infrastructure
Projects
Shornalee P. Jackson
Mef12513
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Outline of Presentation(1)
 1.Brief
History of Jamaica
 2. General Policy Making Process
 2.1 Salient Features of the policy making
process
 2.2 Policy Framework
 3. National Development Plan
 4 Challenges and Opportunities
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Outline of Presentation (2)
 5.1
Characteristics of the Global Logistic
Hub Project
 5.2 Policy Process
 5.3 Coordination and Decision Making
Machinery
 6. Conclusion
 7. References
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1. Brief History of Jamaica (1)
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Jamaica, land of wood and water, got its
independence from Britain on August 6, 1962.
Has a Parliamentary democracy based on
the Westminster model of Government.
The head of state is the Queen of England,
who is represented by the Governor General
Has ten Prime Ministers since independence.
Currently has a female Prime Minister
Size is 4,244 sq miles (10,991 km²)…. Rather
small, isn’t it?
Population is approximately 2.7 million
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1.Brief History of Jamaica (2)
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2. Policy Authorization
 The
Jamaican Constitution states that “the
Cabinet shall be the principal instrument
of policy and shall be charged with the
general direction and control of the
Government of Jamaica and shall be
collectively responsible therefore to
Parliament” - S69(2).
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2.1 Salient Features of Jamaican
Policy Making Process (1)
 1.
Resoluteness of the Jamaican
government- strong executive branch of
government and significant concentration
of power in the hands of the Prime Minister.
 2. Independent Judiciary and
professionalized bureaucracy-highly
skilled technocrats with a significant
number being trained abroad
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2.1Salient Features of Jamaican
Policy Making Process (2)
 3.
Strong business and labour unionsthese are institutionalized and are viewed
as partners for progress.
 Thus,
the Jamaican government has the
ability to effectively discuss, design,
approve and implement policies
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2.2 Policy Framework (1)
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2.2 Policy Framework (2)
 Policy
Development –Policy definition i.e.,
definition of problem in a realistic and
pragmatic way
 Policy Analysis- Critical assessment of the
policy for, among other things, technical
feasibility, compatibility with national
development goals (desirability), policy
impact -economic, political, social, legal,
sustainability, exit strategy
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2.2 Policy Framework (3)
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Policy Process: Each ministry or department
usually has three general divisionAdministration, Operations and Policy
divisions.
Once the analyst has developed a framework
to examine a policy issue, written the
appropriate policy paper, she/he must begin
the formal process of consultation, and
integration to reach a Cabinet decision. The
process includes consultation, coordination,
integration and agreement from the ministry’s
management, other ministries, Cabinet
committee and Cabinet.
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2.2 Policy Framework (4)
 Within
the ministry, vertical coordination
and integration is achieved through an
Internal Policy Committee which discusses
and agree on the policy.
 Once agreement has been reached
internally, discussions and negotiations
with other ministries who have an interest
in the policy are undertaken to have the
proposal adopted across the government
(horizontal coordination).
 Once consensus is reached, a Cabinet
submission is made.
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2.2 Policy Framework (5)
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2.2 Policy Framework (6)
 Communication:
In addition to the policy
paper, a communication plan has to be
submitted to Cabinet. The goal of the
communication is to increase public
acceptance of the policy.
 Typical forms are private stakeholder
consultations -“locked up” session with
minister and key stakeholders; public
consultations- face to face discussions
with larger groups; press/media briefings
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2.2 Policy Framework (7)
 Implementation:
Choice based on
political ideology-market orientation vs
public ownership
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2.2 Policy Framework (8)
 Monitoring
and Evaluation: -Reviewing the
operational aspects of the policy,
evaluating results and suggesting areas
for improvement
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3. National Development Plan
 The
Planning Institute of Jamaica has
crafted the national development plansVision 2030. The vision is for Jamaica to be
the place of choice to live, work, raise
families and do business. From this long
term plan, medium term socio economic
policy frameworks are developed for
three year periods.
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3. Medium Term Socio-Economic
Policy Framework (MTF)
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4. Opportunities and Challenges
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5.1Characteristics of the Global
Logistics Hub Initiative (1)
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It is the single largest project to be undertaken by
the Government of Jamaica for decades. It is a
large scale integrated industrial zone focusing on
logistics management, transshipment and light
manufacturing. It comprises six complementary
elements:
1. The dredging of the Kingston Harbour
2. Port facility expansion
3. The Caymanas Economic Zone (CEZ)
4. Transshipment Commodity Port facility
5. Dry dock facility
6. Air cargo and passenger facility (Vernamfield)
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5.1 Characteristics of the Global
Logistics Hub Initiative (2)
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When completed, the Caymanas Economic Zone will
include clusters of global businesses operating from
special economic zones, technology parks, logistics
parks and industrial parks (export focused, high
value niche manufacturing).
The industries/clusters for the Caymanas Economic
Zone under consideration are:
Assembly Plants – Electronics
Light Manufacturing Facilities e.g. furniture craft,
agro- processing
Software Development, Telecommunications and
Information Technology
Pharmaceutical operations
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5.1 Characteristics of the Global
Logistics Hub Initiative (3)
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Logistical planning & Warehousing
Small Business Incubator Centre
The Creative Sector
Services (banks, medical facility, restaurants) for
workers
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Cost and Funding: US$9billion through public private
partnership. The World Bank, Inter-American Bank and
investors from China, Singapore, Dubai, the Netherlands,
Canada, Panama and Jamaica have pledged their support
for the project.
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Initial project estimated duration: 5-10 years. However PM
wants it completed by 2015.
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Caymanas Economic Zone
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Caymanas Economic ZoneTechnology Park
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Logistic Hub- Expansion of Port
Facilities
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5.2. Policy Process- Global
Logistics Hub
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5.3. Coordination and Decision
Making Machinery (1)
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5.3. Coordination and Decision
Making Machinery (2)
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The Prime Minister has made this flagship
project a national priority as part of its growth
strategy.
As a symbol of her commitment, she has
established the National Logistics Initiative
Council to coordinate and monitor the
activities of the project. The chairman reports
directly to her.
The coordination and decision making
process is centralized and combines both a
top down (policy) and a bottom up (technical
issues) approach.
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6. Concluding Remarks
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Ideas for policy may originate from the chief servant (PM),
the planning agency (PIOJ), stakeholders or within the
ministry itself. The process is standardized.
The Logistic Hub Initiative was the brain child of the PIOJ.
Based on the nature of the project, the MIIC developed the
policy paper and sought consensus from the other integral
ministries (MOA, MWHT). It then went to the Economic
Development Committee of Cabinet for approval.
MIIC is the lead ministry. However, the PM has appointed a
council (NLIC) to coordinate the activities. This council
reports to the PM.
“A policy is a temporary creed liable to be changed but
while it holds good it has got to be pursued with apostolic
zeal” (Mahatma Gandhi)
Despite the many challenges, the Global Logistic Hub
Initiative is a very ambitious plan, if pursued with this zeal,
well coordinated and monitored will transform the
Jamaican economy and be a proud part of our
development history.
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7. References
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Government of Jamaica. Cabinet Office. (2002). A manual for policy
analysts, 2002. Kingston: Government of Jamaica.
Government of Jamaica. Jamaica Information Service. (2013). Logistics
Hub represents path to transformation of the economy, 2013. Kingston:
Government of Jamaica.
Government of Jamaica. Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
(2011). Caymanas Economic Zone investor update, 2011. Kingston:
Government of Jamaica
Government of Jamaica. Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
(2012). Medium term socio economic policy framework, 2012. Kingston:
Government of Jamaica
Government of Jamaica. Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
(2013). Sectorial debate presentation, 2013. Kingston: Government of
Jamaica
Government of Jamaica. Planning Institute of Jamaica. (1995). An
approach to industrial policy in Jamaica, 1995. Kingston: Government of
Jamaica
Government of Jamaica. Planning Institute of Jamaica. (2009). National
Development Plan, 2009. Kingston: Government of Jamaica
Government of Jamaica. Planning Institute of Jamaica. (2012). Medium
term socio economic policy framework, 2012. Kingston: Government of
Jamaica
Government of Jamaica. Statistical Institute of Jamaica. (2013). Statistics
everybody’s business, 2013. Kingston: Government of Jamaica
Harris J., (1995). An approach to industrial policy for Jamaica. PIOJ:
Kingston