A suggestion that the Jamaican Government package it's expansive property assets into a real estate investment trust (REIT) may be adopted by the Urban Development Corporation as a potential method to facilitate the ongoing divestments of national holdings. A REIT is a corporate entity invested in real estate assets. REITs are not necessarily publicly listed or traded (some are privately held), - but the suggestion of the Planning Institute of Jamaica's (PIOJ) growth strategy committee was that this REIT be structured as a stock market investment through the issue of exchange-traded shares. 

The Jamaican market has limited exposure to real estate trusts and their workings, and the only REIT in existence in the Caribbean is Kingston Properties Limited, which trades on the Jamaican stock market under the symbol KPREIT. This Jamaican REIT would continue to own and manage the portfolio of large Jamaican Government properties, while investors would buy units in the REIT. The UDC has not yet announced any final decisions on the direction it will take.

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