What was it like to run a business in Jamaica?

[YardieLuke]

Did you own a business in Jamaica? Do you currently own a business in Jamaica?

What was it like to get the required licenses? Did you consider the fees to be excessive? Did you have to go through any "red-tape"? Did you have to pay anyone "under the table"?

What was it like to compete with others you refused to get the proper licenses? How successful was the business? If you closed it or sold it what made you make that decision?

Ps. There was a recent discussion on the Winston Barnes show about farming in Jamaica and why some succeeded and others did not. Some people believed that some people rushed into it without talking it seriously and getting the right paperwork. So there is an ongoing discussion about what it takes to be successful in business in Jamaica. Just curious to get your take...

[sistactry]

Re: What was it like to run a business in Jamaica?

no, i have never been in business in ja,
but from what i know
it depends on the business

hotels - dem get hit hard from protective services
restaurants - too much a dem want free food or pay u what dem feel fe pay u
web designer - u may get a deposit, but sorry fe u after it done

one thing I always admire about jcans, once they get an idea, all they need is the $$$ to jump on it,

ja on a whole, have a very enterpreneurial environment -

[YardieLuke]

Re: What was it like to run a business in Jamaica?

Thanks for your observations.

[j-kid]

Re: What was it like to run a business in Jamaica?

Das kina ah tough question? Som wi lov di JA environment, an som wi hate it fi duh business (di danger, extortion,.... an all). If yuh hav di right connections, drop di right names, an greese di appropriate palms, den in most case yuh wi duh alright. Depending, pan whe yuh buisness deh, yuh may also haffi build into yuh expenses, extra donations fi security (AKA protection against breakins, murder, and kidnapping).

Personnaly, mi tink di JA Govmt, is screwing ova di local farmers, is not all about lack of preparation pan di farmers part, dem jus cyaa compete wid di imported food, an getting squeezed fi lower dem prices by di big guys like, hotels and restaurants. Even at di open market dem hav it rough, caa dem still haffi compete wid di supermarkets, which di customers always hav di option tuh goh tuh instead. Those farmers who are surviving, barely a break even.

Di IMF also hav ah strangle hold pan JA.