Economy, Mining and Manufacturing

The bauxite and alumina (enriched bauxite ore) industries are a mainstay of the Jamaican economy. In 2000 annual production of bauxite amounted to 11.1 million metric tons.

Manufacturing is becoming increasingly important to the Jamaican economy, accounting for 13 percent of gross domestic product. The government has granted concessions, such as duty-free importation and tax-relief programs, to further industrialization. Along with established food and beverage industries, plants manufacturing such products as printed fabrics, clothing, footwear, paints, agricultural machinery, cement, transistor radios, and fertilizers have been set up. A petroleum refinery in Kingston produces fuel sufficient to meet about half the national demand.