NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Rules put in place to keep Jamaica off watch lists compiled by international financial institutions may be making it harder to do business here, says minister of efficiency, innovation and digital transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister Audrey Marks, who has taken on the challenge of finding the sweet spot that sees Jamaicans following the rules without getting bogged down in red tape.

“The other day, the World Bank visited Jamaica and because we had been on the grey list for a while, in order to get back certain certifications as a country, we went really hard…We overcompensated in the amount of requirements. We have to take a back-look at that and see to make sure that we don’t stifle ease of doing business in order to get into that compliance. We have to find the balance, and I see that as my job,” said the minister, who assured that she will be working on addressing the issue.

Marks was speaking during the All-Island Chambers of Commerce (AICC) quarterly luncheon held at Skylark Negril Beach Resort last Saturday. Hosted by the Negril Chamber of Commerce, it was the first AICC quarterly meeting and luncheon to be held since last October’s passage of Hurricane Melissa. Participants used the opportunity to point Marks in the direction of their pain points. They have suggested a new system of late fees for unpaid traffic tickers, more electronic payment options for government services, streamlining of hotel industry certifications and a simplification of the land subdivision process as issues she needs to tackle in her role as red tape slayer.