2011年-世界发展银行全球_Enterprise_Surveys___Jamaica_Country_Profile_2010_15页_835kb

Jamaica Country Profile 2010 Summary

Core Content Overview

The Jamaica Country Profile 2010 is part of the World Bank's Enterprise Surveys, which assess the business environment and firm performance across various sectors and firm sizes. The surveys focus on key areas such as infrastructure, trade, regulations, taxes, corruption, crime, finance, and innovation. This document provides a detailed comparison of Jamaica's business environment with its regional group (Latin America & Caribbean) and income group (Lower middle income).

Main Topics and Indicators

1. Business Environment Obstacles

• The surveys highlight the main constraints firms face, including corruption, regulations, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• Corruption is a significant issue, with firms reporting the need to make informal payments for various services and licenses.
• Regulatory and licensing processes are time-consuming and costly, particularly for construction and import-related permits.

2. Average Firm Characteristics

• The average firm in Jamaica has been in operation for 20.9 years.
• Female participation in management and ownership is notable, with 24.1% of firms having a female top manager and 38.2% involving women in ownership.
• Ownership structure is predominantly private domestic (94.1%), with private foreign (5.7%) and government/state (0.0%) playing minimal roles.

3. Infrastructure

• Electricity supply is a major concern, with an average of 3.1 power outages per month and 0.2% of sales lost due to outages.
• Water shortages occur 2.5 times per month, with an average duration of 3.4 hours, leading to 0.2% of sales lost.
• Delays in obtaining infrastructure services, such as electrical and water connections, are significant, with 20.5 days and 7.0 days respectively, compared to regional averages.

4. Trade

• 10.6% of firms in Jamaica are exporters, with 75.5% using foreign inputs.
• Customs clearance is a major obstacle, with 13.1 days for direct exports and 7.5 days for imports.
• Transport risks are minimal, with 0% of losses reported during direct exports due to theft or spoilage.

5. Regulations, Taxes, and Business Licensing

• The Graft Index in Jamaica is 21.2, indicating that 21.2% of firms reported being asked or expected to pay a bribe for public services.
• Import licenses require 8.1 days to obtain, while construction-related permits take 72.3 days.
• Senior management time spent dealing with government regulations is 1.7%, and tax inspections occur on average 0.5 times per year.

6. Corruption

• Corruption is prevalent, with firms frequently required to make unofficial payments for permits and contracts.
• 48.8% of firms expect to give gifts to obtain a construction permit, and 27.9% for an import license.
• 19.0% of firms expect to make informal payments for an operating license.

7. Crime and Informality

• 61.6% of firms believe the court system is fair.
• Security costs account for 1.0% of sales, and theft and vandalism cause 0.4% of sales lost.
• Informality is low, with 90.0% of firms being formally registered at startup.

8. Finance

• Internal finance is the primary source for investment, with 71.9% of firms relying on it.
• Bank finance accounts for 21.8%, and trade credit for 2.6%.
• External working capital is used by 34.2% of firms, with 204.3% of loan value required as collateral.

9. Innovation and Workforce

• 16.5% of firms have internationally recognized quality certifications.
• 68.9% of firms have annual financial statements reviewed by external auditors.
• 36.4% of firms use their own websites, and 72.6% use email for communication.
• The workforce is composed of 1.5 temporary workers and 29.2 permanent workers on average, with 44.5% of full-time workers being female.

Key Findings

• Corruption remains a major challenge, particularly in obtaining construction permits and import licenses.
• Regulatory delays and complexity are significant for large firms, which face longer processing times for permits.
• Infrastructure deficiencies affect firm operations, with electricity and water supply being key issues.
• Trade processes are generally efficient, but customs clearance and transport risks still pose some challenges.
• Financial systems are relatively developed, with bank finance and external working capital being important sources for firms.
• Innovation and digital adoption are limited, with only 16.5% of firms having quality certifications and 36.4% using their own websites.
• Female participation in management and ownership is moderate, with 24.1% of firms having a female top manager and 38.2% involving women in ownership.

Conclusion

The Jamaica Country Profile 2010 highlights both the challenges and strengths of the business environment in the country. While corruption, regulatory inefficiencies, and infrastructure issues are major obstacles, financial systems and female participation show positive trends. The data underscores the importance of improving public services, regulatory frameworks, and digital infrastructure to enhance firm productivity and economic growth.