Government Pushes Ahead with Expansion of Montego Bay Free Zone

The Government is pushing ahead with plans to construct 63,000 square feet of space in the Montego Bay Free Zone, which will provide additional facility for the expansion of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.

Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, said the Port Authority of Jamaica, the parent company of the Montego Bay Free Zone, “is close to commencing construction.”

He was addressing the free zone’s 30^th Anniversary Open Day activity on March 5.

Noting that the BPO sector is on course to doubling its size over the next five years, Dr. Guy implored the Montego Bay Free Zone Company to put the necessary procedures in place to attract more investors to Jamaica and the west.

“The investment opportunities provided through this facility engenders high levels of productivity, which is integral to the economic development of the country. With Jamaica being ranked as the leading outsourcing location in the English-speaking Caribbean, the free zone is a perfect place for investment to establish contact shelters and shipping facilities to meet the local and international markets,” Dr. Guy said.

The Minister pointed out that the successful operation of the free zone has impacted greatly on the social fabric of the Jamaican society as well as the western region.

“Let me therefore extend congratulations to the hard-working men and women, who have worked tirelessly to maintain the standards of productivity.  Special commendations also to the various investors and stakeholders, who have chosen Jamaica to be the place of choice to do business.  The Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing salutes you and your contributions to the nation and to the people,” he said.