You think we have a tough business environment on Barbados? Pity the poor hardworking business people who have to make their living in Jamaica!
The Institute of Management Consultants of Jamaica (IMCJ) held a recent seminar to help prepare their members for increased competition as consultants from other CARICOM countries become able to work freely in Jamaica.
One of the seminar messages: In order to penetrate the Jamaican market, other CARICOM business people will have to learn how to operate in a "high-crime environment".
That statement also illustrates why many businesses avoid the Jamaican markets entirely, despite the opportunities. If I wanted to expand my business, Jamaica would be the last place I would try to set up a satellite branch. Sometimes, the profits are not worth the physical dangers of Jamaica.
From "Leveraging Caribbean Business Waves" by Ilsa duVerney…
To (consultants from other CARICOM countries), Jamaica represents a tremendous untapped opportunity that is only tempered by the high levels of violent crime being reported. One could expect, over time, that that concern will be alleviated as they get over their fears and learn how to navigate a high-crime environment to get business done. It is only a matter of time before they show up in force in the management consulting market.
Read the full article at the Jamaica Gleaner (link here).
Barbados Free Press 
My experience in trying to do business in Jamaica is that Jamaicans are somewhat more insular than most of the other islands. It is a difficult place to work with the crime and all that..and I don’t think Trinidadian and Barbadian Consultants will be exactly be rushing to do business in Jamaica. It certainly is not very high on my radar screen as a place to do business.
The high rates of crime in Jamaica compared to other caribbean islands is extremely out of control. But. This shouldn’t deter existing and new businesses from being sucessful in Jamaica. I believe business owners should take more responsibilities enhancing building security i.e. cameras (internal & external), monitoring security systems involving local policing/security. However, not all business enterprises can afford expensive security systems or services due to the lack of government concern to protect businesses from high rates of crime. Communities need to create own projects to help there businesses succeed. And, local policing, business operators and residents need to brainstorm a way to slowing down crime in there parish which could in turn improve the crime rates within your parish and improve the communication channel and relationship with policing and residents. Everyone has a part to play to improve Jamaicans attitude towards crime and security awareness.