The Jamaican government is in the process of executing a Logistics Hub Initiative (LHI) with the help of the Chinese Government and other investors to encourage economic growth and transform the country into a world class logistics hub, like Singapore and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Logistics development is a part of the country’s Vision 2030 National Development Plan and is therefore important to the island in providing economic growth and enhancing competitiveness. The logistics hub is one of the most important investments undertaken by the island since the bauxite industry which began in the 1950’s. For a logistics hub to be successful, it takes time and effort both by a country’s government and its citizens. The aim of the study is to add to the literature of the Jamaica Logistics Initiative by examining the pre-conditions necessary for logistics hub success, evaluate Jamaica as it relates to these pre-conditions and also determine how this LHI will contribute to the island’s economy. The literature study reveals the pre-conditions necessary for the success of a logistics hub. Some of the pre-conditions necessary for logistics hub success include strategic location, physical infrastructure, economic incentives, an investor friendly business climate, human capital availability and administrative processes and regulation. In determining the contribution of the LHI to the economy, an interview with key informants revealed that the logistics hub will provide employment, increase in trade, promote institutional development, contribute to the island becoming more technologically advanced, improve the energy sector, provide competitive advantage in the Caribbean region, provide additional revenue for the economy through foreign direct investments, reverse logistics and also to provide infrastructure development.

The Jamaican government is in the process of executing a Logistics Hub Initiative (LHI) with the help of the Chinese Government and other investors to encourage economic growth and transform the country into a world class logistics hub, like Singapore and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Logistics development is a part of the country’s Vision 2030 National Development Plan and is therefore important to the island in providing economic growth and enhancing competitiveness. The logistics hub is one of the most important investments undertaken by the island since the bauxite industry which began in the 1950’s. For a logistics hub to be successful, it takes time and effort both by a country’s government and its citizens. The aim of the study is to add to the literature of the Jamaica Logistics Initiative by examining the pre-conditions necessary for logistics hub success, evaluate Jamaica as it relates to these pre-conditions and also determine how this LHI will contribute to the island’s economy. The literature study reveals the pre-conditions necessary for the success of a logistics hub. Some of the pre-conditions necessary for logistics hub success include strategic location, physical infrastructure, economic incentives, an investor friendly business climate, human capital availability and administrative processes and regulation. In determining the contribution of the LHI to the economy, an interview with key informants revealed that the logistics hub will provide employment, increase in trade, promote institutional development, contribute to the island becoming more technologically advanced, improve the energy sector, provide competitive advantage in the Caribbean region, provide additional revenue for the economy through foreign direct investments, reverse logistics and also to provide infrastructure development.