About Us

What is PSOJ?
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) was established in 1976. We are a national organisation of private sector associations, companies and individuals that are working together to promote a competitive and productive private sector.

MISSION STATEMENT
To promote prosperity through sustainable economic growth and development by providing private sector leadership in influencing, lobbying and engaging key decision makers and by advocating policies in the best interest of Jamaica.

OBJECTIVES

1. To promote the achievement of a lawful and just society
2. To promote and influence greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the operations of the public sector
3. To promote the achievement of a business friendly and prosperous economy
4. To promote the practice of good corporate governance in the private sector

How are we structured?
Our Organisation is governed by its Council, which is elected by the general membership at the Annual General Meeting to serve for a two year period. The Council elects each year from its members, an Executive Committee, which includes the President and Officers of the PSOJ.

Policy and Direction
The organisation seeks to influence national policy issues of a political, social, or economic nature. The Executive Committee, under guidance from the Council, leads this process by promoting discussions with the country's government, political directorate and the opposition. The Organization is also in close and constant contact with the major multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies.

Management
Our Executive Committee meets monthly and is responsible for the operations of the Organisation. Through the Committee, we are committed to providing our members with complete access to the organisation and to respond instantly to issues raised by them.
Day-to-day management is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and a secretariat of qualified employees.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

• Individual Member- a person over 18 years of age, resident in Jamaica whose principal occupation is within the private sector.
• Corporate Member – company, partnership or similar group engaged in private sector business in Jamaica.
• Association Member – association or organisation representing any sub-sector or group of interests within the private sector.

MEMBERSHIP
By being active in the Organisation, on the Council or any of the committees, companies and individuals can contribute directly to achieving changes that will make Jamaica a better place in which to live and work. Virtually everyone in the private sector has benefited in some way from the work of the PSOJ. Membership subscriptions are the major source of the funds needed to carry out this work.

Services and Benefits

• National and regional representation
• International trade linkages and support
• Events which allow our members to network with their peers.
• Monthly Job Creation awards to eligible private sector companies.
• Effective advocacy at all levels
• Monthly e-bulletin with current information on international trade agreements, missions and promotions, events, training and seminars
• Quarterly newsletter with relevant business information
• Practical training seminars (targeted at the financial and wider business sector)
• Access to economic and trade policy research capabilities
• Serving on important government and non-government committees
• Access to working with Committees which meet monthly on issues of national importance

COMMITTEES
One of the primary mandates of the PSOJ is advocacy. The proactive participation of members, through a number of committees, impacts directly on the development of the private sector. The PSOJ continues to make meaningful representation on behalf of the private sector to ensure that the presence and strong voice of the private sector is always maintained. The following are the PSOJ committees:

• Corporate Governance
• Economic Policy
• Education
• Energy (Petroleum)
• National Crime Prevention Fund (Crime Stop)
• Standing Committee on National Security (Crime)
• Trade Policy
• Justice Reform

Our Achievements
Since its inception in the 1970s, some of the initiatives for which the PSOJ has been instrumental in are:

• The official adoption of the market economy as being the most appropriate framework for the country’s long term development;
• The process of liberalisation, deregulation and privatisation which began in the 1980s;
• The lifting of exchange controls;
• Tax reforms in the late 80s and early 90s;
• Establishment of the Jamaica America Medical Assistance Committee (JaMAC), in association with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, to coordinate overseas donations and medical services for the island’s health sector;
• The reform process in the Police Force, beginning with the Hirst Report;
• The drive to connect inflation with money supply;
• The ongoing process of electoral reform;
• Amendments to the New Companies and Revenue Administrative Acts;
• Reversal of the street light cess;
• Successful Crime Stop programme;
• Development of the National Crime Plan in partnership with the Government, the Opposition and civil society and introduction of new crime related programmes that contribute to the further enhancement of the profile of the Police, including Police Courtesy Week and the Phone-In programme;
• Training of trainers and company Directors with a view to increasing awareness of Corporate Governance principles and practises;
• Sensitisation of the private sector to developments in the international and regional trading arena through seminars, meetings, and other for a;
• Education Committee’s participation in the Task Force Report on Educational Reform.

How to Join
Please complete and return the online application form. Join us and participate in achieving the PSOJ slogan: A Productive Nation is our Priority.

Online Membership application form