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Local suppliers are one of the main contributors to forging successful linkages along the value chains of Jamaica’s thriving sectors. Without the active participation of suppliers, achieving sector, and by large, economic growth for the country would be unfeasible.

Jamaica’s Global Services Sector (GSS), one of the strongest growing sectors to date, offers local suppliers a significant opportunity to support its growth through the provision of goods and services. GSS currently employs over 60,000 people, generating just under a billion dollars in revenue annually.

The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), one of the key agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) driving the facilitation of investment in the sector, continues to advocate for local suppliers to network and collaborate with the over eighty Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) companies across the island.

In keeping with this advocacy, the agency recently hosted a BPO Synergies linkage event which facilitated business meetings between BPO companies and suppliers at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

There, Manager of the GSS unit at JAMPRO, Conrad Robinson, emphasized the melting pot of advantages for companies in critical linkage networks that support BPO entities.

“BPO is a big business in Jamaica, we all know this, and it contributes significantly to the economy, but we feel like there is a greater opportunity for the integration of BPO companies and local suppliers,” he said.

These opportunities are linked to the office and operations, furniture and décor, janitorial services, concessionaires, construction, transportation and technology niches.

Mr. Robinson further indicated that success of the industry has shifted the economic landscape of Jamaica’s tourism mecca, Montego Bay. He said ‘a mushrooming’ of the city took place as more and more people were employed within the outsourcing sector.

“More and more houses were being sold…before you even start building, the houses are in demand. That is just an impact of what this sector is driving. The commerce of Montego Bay largely depends on the BPO sector because the providers of goods and services within that space are also beneficiaries of the activities within the BPO sector on a general scale,” he stated.

While noting that a similar growth opportunity exists for Kingston, Mr. Robinson also encouraged suppliers to be reliable in fulfilling established agreements. “Part of the biggest challenges is the reliability of the suppliers. Time is money. Communication is very important. If you can’t deliver, just tell them [BPO Buyers] that you can’t, so that they can know how to plan and so on,” he said.

Meanwhile, participating local suppliers at the event expressed positive feedback from their engagement with the companies.

Andre Robinson, Sales Executive at Stationary World and Book Center Limited, who attended for the first time said: “I’ve made a few connections with billion-dollar companies in Jamaica. The event was very forthcoming and fruitful.”

“It’s very interactive and informative. I’ve learnt that there is a whole network of things going on in Jamaica that each person can benefit from within each industry. It’s really good and I like it,” he further pointed out.

For her part, Joni-Gaye Cowley, Founder of HR Consultants, Joni-Gaye Cowley and Associates said “I’m getting the chance to introduce my company and its services and I’m really thankful to JAMPRO for setting this up for us. I had about five positive conversations so I’m going to be following up.”

JAMPRO, as an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), remains committed to enhancing the ease of doing business in Jamaica through its various investment and export facilitation services. 

Local suppliers are encouraged to contact JAMPRO at info@dobusinessjamaica.com or Tel: 1 (876) 978-7755 for further information on upcoming linkage events.

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