The Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI) has reported that there was a significant increase in applications for trade and business licences last year.

The Trade and Business Licensing Board processed 14,890 trade and business applications in 2020, up from 11,634 in 2019. These included new grants, renewals and amendments. Applications for new grants totalled 3,861 in 2020, up from 2,982 in 2019.

“DCI saw an increase in new businesses in 2020 as a result of government temporary waiver of trade and business licencing applications fees. We are still seeing a growth in applications which has caused some delays in processing both ordinary and expedited applications,” stated Deputy Director Mitzi Watson-Jervis.

She further said, “Of some concern at this time is the level of incorrect information being uploaded onto the online system. We would like to appeal to applicants to carefully review information to ensure efficient processing. We are also asking the public to be patient with us as we expect to get back to normal turnabout times by the end first quarter in 2021.”

Applications for trade and business licences can be submitted online at www.dci.gov.ky. Members of the public can contact DCI for trade and business and other licensing information via [email protected].