Clients, Employees and Companies Recognised for Contribution to Growth of MBFZ

Long-standing clients, employees, and homegrown companies that have played a pivotal role in the four-decade growth of the Montego Bay Free Zone (MBFZ) in St. James have been recognised.

The awards were presented at the entity’s 40th Anniversary Client Awards Ceremony, held at the Free Zone on March 27.

Among the distinguished awardees was Outsourcing Management International (Teleperformance/AllianceOne), honoured as the longest-serving business process outsourcing (BPO) client with 29 years of operation within the MBFZ, which is a subsidiary of the Port Authority of Jamaica.

Fargo Electronics, a stalwart in manufacturing and distribution, was celebrated for its 33-year presence.

Special awards went to Unique Vacations, a 21-year veteran in the Free Zone, and Docian Hotel Supplies, which has been a part of the MBFZ for 16 years. Receiving special commendations were VR Gifts (17 years); Vikings Productions (18 years); Norinco International (20 years); Seaboard Freight and Shipping (23 years); Outsourcing Management (23 years), and Jamaica Digiport International (35 years).

The prestigious Patrick Casserly Award for the longest-serving homegrown Global Services Sector (GSS) company was presented to United Call Solutions (Continuum), a company that has evolved through various transitions, while maintaining a strong presence in the industry.

Contax360 Global Solutions was applauded for its exceptional workforce expansion in 2024, achieving both the highest numerical and percentage growth in employee numbers.

The ceremony also shone a spotlight on dedicated employees, with Rosemarie Lewis receiving recognition as MBFZ’s most supportive employee, while Desna Lightbody and Veronica Brooks were lauded for their unwavering commitment, having served for 35 and 31 years, respectively. MBFZ’s Customer Services Officer, Valerie Ives, also received a citation for her 40 years of dedicated service.

The ceremony was not only a celebration of longevity and achievement but also an opportunity for awardees to reflect on their journeys.

In the case of Ms. Lightbody, she described her time in customer service at the MBFZ as a fulfilling journey.

“My feeling today, I’m very, very much excited. It has been a journey. I would do it again,” she said.

“I’ve never had any regrets in doing it. In fact, I have two daughters right now who are in the same sector,” she added.

For her part, Ms. Ives reflected on the zone’s potential, noting that at its peak, the Free Zone employed more than 10,000 people.

She remains optimistic about surpassing these figures under the current leadership of the Port Authority, which she thanked for the award.

The Montego Bay Free Zone has been a cornerstone of economic development in Western Jamaica. Strategically located near the Port of Montego Bay and Sangster International Airport, the Zone spans 665,000 sq. ft of productive space.

It primarily supports offshore companies in the information and communications technology and business process outsourcing (ICT/BPO) sectors.

Over its 40-year history, the Port Authority has invested nearly $20 billion in the Free Zone, creating a robust environment for employment and businesses. Through strategic partnerships with private-sector investors, the MBFZ has helped drive the expansion of the BPO sector to position Jamaica as a key player in the global outsourcing market.

The Zone offers numerous incentives, including tax benefits, modern facilities, and a well-maintained business ecosystem that attracts and supports international investors.