Commerce State Minister Welcomes JPS E-Store In Montego Bay

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams has lauded the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) for opening its E-store at the Bay West Centre in Montego Bay.

The JPSCo E-store sells a wide assortment of energy saving/conservation devices to assist customers with understanding and manage their energy usage.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony on November 29, Minister of State, Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams commended the power company for what she said is a very important initiative.

“I know that some of you may be thinking, why is the JPSCo trying to make us pay less for electricity? Would it not be in their interest for us to spend more? The reality is that, conservation is critical for all of us and that includes the JPS. The less we spend on imported oil, for example, the better things will be for us,” she asserted.

“Therefore, we welcome the launch of this new E-store and take comfort in the fact that customers of the JPS in Montego Bay can now join those in Kingston and Mandeville and other stores to come, seeking to save on energy usage. The existence of this store will not only provide the means to save on electricity usage, but will also help to change the behaviour of consumers in a positive way,” Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams added.

Meanwhile, she said over the past 18 months, JAMPRO had facilitated some 14 Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Montego Bay, representing the creation of some 1,500 jobs in the sector.

“Over the past two years, the sector, received the highest investment inflows, due largely to the BPO industry which has benefitted from the entrance of companies such as Sutherland Global Services and the expansion of operations by existing players in the industry,” the State Minister informed.

With approximately 14,000 persons now employed in the ICT sector Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams indicated that these developments, including the E-store, should be seen in the context of the country’s growth strategy.

She noted that other aspects of this strategy include: the Jamaica Logistics Hub Initiative; the establishment of an International Financial Centre; further development and diversification of the tourism product; expansion of the ICT sector; increased earning opportunities in the creative industries; the development of agro-parks; and energy diversification.