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Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (second left), cuts ribbon to officially open the new Barnett Tech Park in Montego Bay, on May 6. Others (from left) are: Businessman, Mark Kerr-Jarrett; President and Chief Executive Officer of ACT, Joseph Lembo; Mrs. Paula Kerr-Jarrett; Vice President Real Estate Facilities for Xerox, Tom Corne; and Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon Phillip Paulwell.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the opening of two international Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facilities at the Barnett Tech Park in Montego Bay, will impact positively on government’s efforts at job creation and increased foreign exchange earning.

Mr. Hylton said the opening of Advanced Call Centre Technologies (ACCT) and Xerox Corporation will also enhance the country’s outsourcing industry.

The Minister was delivering his address at the official opening of the facilities on May 6.

Advanced Call Centre Technologies is expected to further energize the employment boom currently being ignited in the western region, adding another 550 jobs at the Park by the end of June.

Xerox, which already employs thousands of Jamaicans at its various Montego Bay and Kingston operations, will eventually add another 450 jobs at the Tech Park.

The Minister commended both companies for their contribution to Jamaica’s economic development and for their vision of creating a positive future for the youth of the region.

“It is noteworthy that these two companies have decided to grow their operations here.  This is a demonstration and reaffirmation of their positive experience of doing business in Jamaica.  I’m certain also, that our continued commitment to the industry and improved business environment were contributing factors in these decisions,” Mr. Hylton said.

He emphasised that the Government has given national priority to the development of the outsourcing industry, as stated in the country’s Vision 2030 document.

“One of the goals of Vision 2030 is ‘transforming Jamaica into a regional hub for ICT investments’.  The sector has also been identified as one of the six priority areas under the national services sector and expansion strategy, the national growth agenda and the national export strategy 2015 to 2019,” the Minister said.

“The Government’s support of the sector is nothing new, as it played a key role, through JAMPRO, in the establishment of the Business Process Outsourcing Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ),” he added.

Mr. Hylton said this was one of the key factors in helping to hone the government’s vision, policies and strategies.

“JAMPRO and this Ministry were also very instrumental in mobilising the Development Bank of Jamaica’s foray into the industry, with the allocation of an initial US$20 million to an ICT Infrastructure Loan Fund which has since been  utilized for the creation of outsourcing space across the country,” the Minister noted.

Mr. Hylton cited the industry’s contribution to job creation and the sustainable development of the Jamaican economy.

“Today the industry employs in excess of 17,000 persons and it is projected that some 32,000 persons will be employed in the sector by 2020.  The sector is on the rise as we are all witnessing, and with development such as today’s opening, we may just reach the 2020 target much earlier than expected,” the Minister said.

Source: http://jis.gov.jm/minister-says-opening-new-bpos-mo-bay-will-create-jobs/

Published Date: May 7th, 2015