The International Trade Unit is one of the technical divisions of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce- Jamaica’s Business Ministry. The mandate of the International Trade Unit is to provide sound technical support and advice in the areas of trade policy, including but not limited to market access, rules of origin, tariffs/common external tariff (CET), competition and technical barriers to trade.
The main functions of the Trade Unit include:
Develop policy advice and recommendations for export and import arrangements as well as providing policy advice on matters which affect domestic, regional, and international trade.
Advocate stakeholder positions at national, regional, and international meetings/fora on issues affecting trade (market access, tariffs, SPS/TBT etc.)
Continuous research and analysis to provide guidance to the Ministry and its Agencies on opportunities for development and expansion of domestic goods and services.
Acts as the focal point within the Ministry for trade remedies and enforcement.
Represents the Ministry at trade negotiations and regional and multilateral meetings.
Acts as a focal point for issues related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the implementation of the National Foreign Trade Policy.
Agency Monitoring
The International Trade Unit monitors the Jamaica Trade Board (JTB) which is an agency under the MIIC. The Jamaica Trade Board is Jamaica’s certifying authority for goods exported under the various trade agreements. The Jamaica Trade Board has responsibility for: WTO Agreement on Import Licensing. Issuing import and export licences for specific items that may have a negative impact on the environmental, social or economic conditions of the country, Issuing certificates of origin for Jamaican exports under various Preferential Trade Agreements.
International Trade Unit collaborates with the following Ministries, Departments and Agencies
