. There are no policies or regulations reserving areas exclusively to Jamaicans. While foreigners are not excluded from participation in privatization/divestment activities, the Government has in the past appeared to favor national investors when divesting Government assets;
. Investments in areas which may increase productive output, use domestic raw materials, earn or save foreign exchange, develop linkage industries, generate employment, or introduce new technology are greatly favored. Investment in new ventures has slowed over the last two years despite the Government's continued commitment to open the economy, increase reliance on the private sector, divest most of the Government-owned enterprises and offer an attractive package of incentives;
. In communications, Cable & Wireless of Jamaica Ltd. (formerly Telecommunications of Jamaica, TOJ), a subsidiary of a U.K. multinational, enjoys monopoly rights on telephone and related services. (In compliance with WTO obligations, the system is being gradually demonopolized). With respect to cable television, the Government has announced that operators must have government licenses by July 1998. Licenses will be granted to companies in which majority ownership and controlling interest are held by Jamaican/Caricom nationals;
. Screening mechanisms are nondiscriminatory. The main criterion is the creditworthiness of the company. Environmental impact assessments are required for new developments. Foreign investors are treated the same as domestic investors before and after the investment. Other than controls on restraint of trade (e.g. anti-monopoly), there are no barriers to foreign …
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