Jamaica Leading Caribbean Destination for Investment

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (left), is in conversation with Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (centre) and Chairman of Jamaica Promotions Limited (JAMPRO), Milton Samuda, at the 2nd Jamaica Investment Forum on March 11 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James.

Chairman of Jamaica Promotions Limited (JAMPRO), Milton Samuda, says Jamaica has a range of competitive advantages as a business destination, which puts the country ahead of others in the region.

Speaking at the 2015 Jamaica Investment Forum at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James on Wednesday, March 11, Mr. Samuda said Jamaica is a prime location, which offers easy access to target markets.

“Beyond the image of a tropical paradise, enlivened by a captivating culture, Jamaica possesses a number of competitive advantages, which all accrue to the benefit of our investors. Jamaica is located in close proximity to the major shipping trade routes into the two major markets of the Western Hemisphere – North America and South America. Jamaica gives near shore advantage to the manufacturers and distributors of the world, who need to set up operations for easy access for those markets,” he said.

The JAMPRO Chairman pointed out that being the third largest English-speaking nation in the hemisphere behind the United States and Canada, Jamaica has a well educated, skilled and trainable workforce.

“Jamaica’s 1.2 million strong workforce is educated, skilled, trainable and competitively priced. Thus, our international guests and investors are here because they know that Jamaica can deliver location, people and price,” he said.

Mr. Samuda also highlighted major gains that Jamaica has made over the years in facilitating investments and making it easier to do business in the island, pointing out sectors such as telecoms and finance.

“In this global context, Jamaica is more than an island. Our world class telecoms and connected financial sectors have given us broadband connectivity and extensive reach and plug into global financial and trade markets. We have already attracted high levels of Foreign Direct Investments, but we are now  ready to escalate our work  to achieve  our fair share of the flow of investment dollars around the world…we are hungry and we are ready to do business,” he said.

Mr. Samuda pledged JAMPRO’s full support to current and potential investors and pointed out that the agency will be a solid partner and an aggressive advocate in protecting the goals and interests of those who are doing business or are interested in setting up operations in Jamaica.

Source: http://jis.gov.jm/jamaica-leading-caribbean-destination-investment/

Published Date: March 13th, 2015