Jamaica Fertile Ground for Investment – Bruce Bowen

Scotiabank Senior Vice President in charge of International Banking for the Caribbean Region, Bruce Bowen, says the time is now right for investing in Jamaica.

Speaking to international business people attending a Scotiabank-sponsored luncheon held on March 11, as part of the second Jamaica Investment Forum (JIF) now underway at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Mr. Bowen urged them “not to procrastinate” as Jamaica is “fertile ground” for investment.

“The Jamaican brand is so powerful…I can’t think of a country I have travelled to that I have not seen  brand Jamaica somewhere in that country and that is something that any investor company coming in can monetise as they export,” he said.

Mr. Bowen cited investment prospects in agriculture, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the attractions subsector of tourism, and support industries.

Scotiabank Jamaica’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Jacqueline Sharpe in her remarks, highlighted the returning stability to the macroeconomic environment, including the fact that Net International Reserves (NIRs) are up, while interest rates and inflation are on the decline.

She also made reference to the country passing seven successive International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviews.

She said there are a number of potentially large projects, including the agro parks, energy, as well as gaming projects, which, if successfully implemented, will augur well for the economy.

The Scotiabank-sponsored event was aimed at bringing together, potential investors with local business leaders.

More than 130 potential investors from countries across the global are attending the two-day Jamaica Investment Forum, which is being sponsored by JAMPRO, Commerzbank, Digicel Business, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).