The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), one of 20 agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), continues to strengthen Jamaica’s business environment through modernisation, improved service delivery, and digital transformation.

The COJ has grappled with the quality of its service delivery to its customers, ranging from overcrowding at the Kingston office, inadequate facilities, and limited parking.

This has caused long in-branch wait times and slow turnaround times on documents such as Annual Returns and Change Forms, which have frustrated businesses, and gaps in technology have compounded the challenges.

In an effort to curtail this issue, the MIIC, Jamaica’s Business Ministry, hosted a press conference on Tuesday, September 23, led by Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, with Permanent Secretary Sancia Bennett Templer and Shellie Leon, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the COJ. 

“The process has not been as efficient as we would like, and that is not acceptable. We have heard the concerns of clients whom we must serve better, ” Hill said. “With a clear mandate from the Jamaican people, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has directed us to focus sharply on efficiency, ease of doing business, and rapid digitisation. Jamaican businesses deserve speed, certainty, and sustained high-quality services.”

He emphasised that the MIIC and the COJ are now making additional changes and new arrangements to deliver faster processing, fewer bottlenecks, and transparent, reliable turnaround. “These reforms will strengthen Jamaica’s position as a trusted, modern place to do business, where entrepreneurs can grow and investors know their capital will be treated with efficiency and respect,” Hill continued.

Expanding and Acquisition of New Office Facilities

To improve customer service and operational efficiency, COJ is undertaking a strategic expansion of its facilities. “At Grenada Way, the lobby is being enlarged from 460 sq. ft. to 696 sq. ft. to ease congestion, while the first floor will be expanded to 3,064 sq. ft. for document dispatch services, allowing additional space to focus on frontline service delivery,” said Leon.

She added that the COJ is also expanding its footprint at the Pan Jamaica Building by leasing an additional 7,685 sq. ft. floor to house support units, including Finance, HR, PR, Compliance, Audit, and the Call Centre.

In the interim, the Ministry and COJ are in advanced negotiations for a suitable location for the relocation of the office, which would see an expansion of the office by approximately 40 per cent.

Advancing Digitisation and Instant Approvals

COJ’s digital transformation continues to improve speed, reliability, and access to services. “Phase 1 of online services for the MSME sector already enables instant auto-approval for business name registrations, renewals, and closures. Phase 2, commencing in October– November 2025, will extend auto-approval to annual returns, changes to company secretaries, registered offices, and directors.

“QR-coded E-Certificates will launch in the same period, reducing fraud risk and paper reliance, while a COJ mobile app planned for 2026 will provide end-to-end digital registration, renewals, and customer support,” Leon continued.

Collectively, these initiatives are designed to reduce repeat visits, speed turnaround, and provide more efficient and reliable access to business services across Jamaica.

COJ’s Role in Strengthening Jamaica’s International Credibility

The COJ has also played a central role in Jamaica’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list and the EU list of high-risk jurisdictions.

The Agency led the establishment of a Beneficial Ownership Registry, strengthened due diligence on company registrations, and expanded digital access to company information. These reforms boost investor confidence, reduce transaction costs, and improve access to banking and trade, signalling that Jamaica is a safe, transparent, and reliable place to do business.

“We understand that people want their business transactions completed quickly, efficiently, and with ease. With expanded space, streamlined processes, and new digital services delivering instant approvals, the COJ will make conducting business services simpler and more comfortable for entrepreneurs and investors,” Leon noted.

She revealed that such reforms by the COJ, supported by the MIIC and its agencies, strengthen Jamaica’s standing as a trusted, modern, and competitive place to do business. “For Jamaican entrepreneurs, they mean smoother growth and expansion at home, while for global investors, these reforms deliver efficiency in setting up and running businesses, real opportunities for growth, and easier access to international markets,” Leon added.