JIS NEWS
A branch of the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) is now in operation at the Office of the Prime Minister (Western), at 10 Delisser Drive, Montego Bay, St. James, to serve residents in the west.
Service began at the office, Monday October 10, and chief executive officer (CEO) of the COJ, Judith Ramlogan, told JIS News that the opening of the facility came after years of discussion at the Government level and consistent calls for it from the western Jamaica business community.
“I remember when then minister of industry, Dr. Christopher Tufton received complaints from the Montego Bay business community that there was no office in Montego Bay and people would always have to come to Kingston to do business. He (Dr. Tufton) was adamant that we should set up an office down here. We have found this location and we are so happy that we are here,” she said.
The office will receive applications from residents for the registration of companies and businesses, and while the processing time in Kingston is usually five working days, the processing of applications submitted to the Montego Bay office could take an additional seven days.
She is advising residents that all COJ forms are available online and there are clear details on how to register companies and businesses for profit or for charity.
Mrs. Ramlogan told JIS News that the addition of the Montego Bay branch will play a major role in increasing the number of registered companies and businesses in Jamaica and encouraged persons in the west to take advantage of the new location.
“Take advantage of our services. We can give you some advice on what kind of entity to set up, and for those of you who already have a business, come and check to see if your business is in compliance…if your registration is up to date,” she said.
Senior customer service officer at the COJ, Toni-Ann Stewart is managing the new location. She said employees of the COJ in Kingston have built a strong reputation of giving good customer service and that practice will be in full effect at the Montego Bay office.
Wayne Forrester told JIS News that the opening of a COJ branch in Montego Bay will result in tremendous savings for citizens of western Jamaica. “I feel real good about it. I went to Kingston the last time and I am living in Montego Bay, so I do not have to go there. I just come right here and I got through in
15 minutes. I welcome this,” he said.
In the meantime, the benefits of having a branch of the COJ in Montego Bay are being praised by members of the Cooperatives and Friendly Societies.
The Montego Bay office is operating on a cashless basis, which means that clients can only make payments by credit or debit cards or manager’s cheques.
