Developers unwrap more plans in 2021 as portfolio diversification drives industry DEVELOPMENTS which might have been put on hold in 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19 are now being brought forward for implementation. Sandra Garrick, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Real Estate Board, indicates that as at June 30, 2021 registered new developments have climbed 17.2 per cent over 2020 and 19.75 per cent above 2019. The number of development schemes registered from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019 was 52. For the similar period in 2020, 53 were registered. Comparably, the number of development schemes registered from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 numbered 64. Garrick told the Jamaica Observer'' s Business Observer, "We have seen further increase in the number of registered developments, as pointed out in the data. We compared the registration year to date for 2020 to 2021." Industry experts cite a post-covid momentum, but also portfolio diversification. Andrew James, CEO of Andrew James Realty Limited, said the low barrier to entry in the industry and relatively high return on investments, compared to other investment classes, is fuelling the rise in construction activity. "A lot of money is available, so even the investment houses are not just giving loans for development, but [they themselves] are now developers," James said. observed.