| Basic data | |
| Capital | Kingston |
| Population | 2.96 million |
| Language | English, Jamaican Patois |
| Religion | Protestants (more than 2/3) |
| State system | constitutional monarchy |
| Head of State | Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Patrick Allen |
| Head of government | Andrew Michael Holness |
| Currency name | Jamaican Dollar (JMD) |
| Travel | |
| Time shift | -6 o’clock (in summer -7 o’clock) |
| Economy | 2021 |
| Nominal GDP (billion USD) | 30.3 |
| Economic growth (%) | 4.3 |
| Inflation (%) | 5.7 |
| Unemployment (%) | 10.4 |
Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy that is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The head of the country is still the British Queen Elizabeth, who is represented on the island by the Governor General. His duties are mostly to attend ceremonies and appoint the prime minister, who is always the chairman of the winning political party. The executive function in the country is held by the bicameral parliament. It consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is elected by the citizens, in the Senate 13 members are nominated by the Prime Minister and the remaining 8 by representatives of the opposition. Elections are held every 5 years. Jamaica’s relatively large distance from the Czech Republic, a small population with a lower standard of living and almost no experience of Czech companies in trade with Jamaica are the reasons for low Czech exports to this country and overall low trade exchange.
- Baglib: Overview of Jamaica, including popular places to visit, UNESCO World Heritage List, climate, geography and travel advice.
This summary territorial information is processed for the country that is so-called accredited. The information is provided in an abbreviated form.
Culture of business dealings
Subchapters:
- Introduction
- Addressing
- Business Meeting
- Communication
- Recommendations
- Public holidays
Introduction
Jamaicans have a reputation for being non-confrontational, straight-talking and unconcerned with too many details. They are mostly not afraid to accept new things and news. They don’t like pressure to close a deal. They prefer to make deals more slowly and casually.
Addressing
Unlike other English-speaking countries, it is not common to address partners by their first name right away, preferring to use “Mr. XY” or “Ms. XY”. The status is very important for the islanders, often managers are referred to as “bossman” or “bosswoman” in the conversation of others.
- Programingplease: Yearbook 2010 of nation Jamaica, including population, politics, and abbreviations.
Business meeting
With Jamaicans, extended families take precedence over business partners, a foreigner must always count on a preference for family or religious events over business (Jamaica has the largest number of churches per 1,000 inhabitants in the world). Jamaicans don’t like pressure to make a deal, they make it more slowly and casually. Bargaining is common. At the first meeting, the European should dress formally, wearing a suitable suit or costume, during subsequent meetings it is possible to suppress the formality, but always with regard to the clothing of the partner. Punctuality is important to Jamaicans, but it is not unusual for them to be late. The planned meeting needs to be verified a few days before it takes place. It is important to be professional and tactful. With the passage of time and with growing mutual trust, the number of small physical contacts between business partners increases.
Communication
The official language is English, but it is also possible to meet the English dialect Patois. Visit Calculatorinc for more information about Jamaica culture and traditions.
Recommendation
Czech companies should emphasize their seriousness and a long period of operation, so that the local representative feels comfortable and safe when starting a business.
Public Holidays
List of public holidays in 2022
- New Year 1.1.
- Ash Wednesday 2.3.
- Good Friday 15.4.
- Easter Monday 18.4.
- Labor Day 23.5.
- Emancipation Day 1.8.
- Independence Day 6.8.
- National Heroes’ Day 17.10. (third Monday in October)
- Christmas 25.12.
- Christmas Eve 26.12.
- Boxing Day 27.12.
Contacts
Subchapters:
- Contacts to Czech embassies in the territory
- Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firefighters, information lines, etc.)
- Important Internet links and contacts
Contacts at the embassies of the Czech Republic in the territory
Embassy of the Czech Republic in the USA
Embassy of the Czech Republic
3900 Spring of Freedom, NW
Phone: +1 202 274 9100 Fax: +1 202 966 8540
www.mzv.cz/washington
E-mail: eco_washington@embassy.mzv.cz, washington@embassy.mzv.cz
Honorary Consulate – Kingston
Head of Office: James Mark JOSEPH
93 King Street, Kingston
Phone: +01 876 922 6192, +01 876 922 4903 Fax: +1 876 948 84 76
E-mail: kingston@honorary.mzv.cz, jm@josephsja.com
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)
- Police 119
- Rescue service and fire brigade – 110
- Weather information, hurricane risk – 116
- Crime reporting – 311
Important web links and contacts
- Prime Minister http://opm.gov.jm
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade http://mfaft.gov.jm/wp/
- Ministry of Finance and Public Administration http://www.mof.gov.jm
- Ministry of Industry, Trade, Agriculture and Fisheries http://www.miic.gov.jm
- Ministry of National Security http://www.mns.gov.jm
- Ministry of Justice http://moj.gov.jm/laws
- Ministry of Education, Youth and Information http://www.moe.gov.jm
- Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology http://www.mstem.gov.jm
- Ministry of Local Government and Community Development http://www.localgovjamaica.gov.jm
- Ministry of Transport and Mining http://www.mtw.gov.jm
- Ministry of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sports http://mcges.gov.jm
- Ministry of Tourism http://www.mot.gov.jm
- Ministry of Health http://moh.gov.jm
- Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs http://www.mlss.gov.jm
- The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce http://jamaicachamber.org.jm/
Main online media:
- lJamaica Observer http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
- The Gleaner http://jamaica-gleaner.com
- The Star http://jamaica-star.com
- Bank of Jamaica http://www.boj.org.jm
