A bill to give entrepreneurs in North Hamilton tax breaks and Government incentives was given its second reading in the House of Assembly on Wednesday night.

The legislation allows provisions such as waived Customs duty, payroll tax concessions and relaxed immigration laws to be given to new business owners in North Hamilton.

Finance Minister Paula Cox told the House: "It's a brief bill. It's another way to evident the commitment that we will do more to make the Economic Empowerment Zone a success by providing incentives."

Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said the Opposition agreed with the bill in principle.

Progressive Labour Party MP Terry Lister said: "We will see many new businesses come forward and we are entering into an exciting time."