Govt Providing US$20 Million to Expand ICT Space

MONTEGO BAY: Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says the Information Commutation Technology (ICT) sector is poised for continued growth with the Government providing some US$20 million for the expansion of office space.

“Jamaica is on a growth trajectory once more. We are seeing expansion taking place, especially in Montego Bay, and we want to facilitate and encourage that,” Mr. Paulwell stated.

“The Minister of Finance will again be allowing another US$20 million funding for the creation of office space and we got a commitment from Factories Corporation of Jamaica for the construction of 60,000 square feet of space,” he noted.

Minister Paulwell, who was addressing a press briefing today Friday (May 10), after a tour of call centres operations in the Montego Bay Free Zone, said the Government is pleased that the private sector “is looking at their own role in expanding space”.

“We want to be in touch with this industry, because we believe that there is such vast potential, and every month, a team of us from related Ministries hear the concerns and work through issues to ensure that we continue to see growth,” he informed.

Minister Paulwell said focus is also being placed on training to provide qualified personnel for the sector.

State Minister at the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, who was also on the tour, said she is encouraged by the number of young people employed in the call centre operations.

She stated that with prospects of expansion, her Ministry will be working with the Education Ministry and HEART/NTA to boost capabilities in this area by providing more training for young people.

“We know that young people are very talented here in Jamaica. The young people here have the aptitude for the technology, we have the English skills, we are near shore to the United States of America, and we can only develop this industry for the betterment of Jamaica,” she stated.

The touring party also included Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, personnel from HEART/NTA and business leaders in St. James.

By Garfield Angus, JIS Regional Office Reporter