In a significant move to accelerate economic recovery, the Jamaican government has unveiled a comprehensive package of business fee reductions for seven parishes severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Industry Minister Aubyn Hill announced the measures in the Senate on Friday, targeting both immediate relief and longer-term business revitalization.
The centerpiece of the initiative involves a 50% reduction in incorporation fees for charities specifically established to support hurricane recovery efforts. This special rate will be available during a four-month window from December 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, recognizing the crucial role community organizations play in disaster response.
Additionally, the Companies Office of Jamaica will extend its late fee waiver program for existing businesses in affected areas, now covering the period from October 27, 2025, to October 31, 2026. The agency will also reduce costs for essential documentation services, including letters of good standing and certified copies, which many businesses need to verify their operational status after losing critical paperwork in the storm.
To improve accessibility, the office will deploy mobile pop-up services across affected parishes between December 2025 and March 2026, bringing essential business services directly to communities still grappling with transportation challenges.
The announcement came as part of a broader update on post-hurricane recovery efforts that have already involved assessments of 1,293 businesses despite significant infrastructure obstacles. Minister Hill acknowledged the difficulties faced by assessment teams, including blocked roads and communication breakdowns in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
While opposition spokesperson Kisha Anderson welcomed the measures, she called for more extensive support, particularly for micro-enterprises that form the backbone of local economies. Anderson argued that many small operators—from hairdressers to craft vendors—typically maintain less than two weeks of cash reserves and may require complete fee waivers rather than reductions to survive. She advocated for establishing a national task force incorporating government, opposition, private sector, and civil society representatives to develop a more structured recovery plan.