Jamaica Ready for Next Phase of Digital Transformation – Minister Marks

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador the Hon. Audrey Marks, says the launch of Fujitsu Caribbean’s Digitisation Operations Centre (DOC) signals Jamaica’s readiness for the next phase of its digital transformation.

The DOC is designed to support organisations transitioning from paper-based processes to secure, intelligent and digitally enabled information environments.

Ambassador Marks noted that the facility’s establishment demonstrates Jamaica’s readiness to move beyond simply digitising documents to creating an intelligent, secure and insight-driven information ecosystem.

“It signals our readiness to embrace responsible innovation. It signals our readiness to build strong foundations for artificial intelligence (AI), digital government, and future economic growth… and, most importantly, it signals our commitment to ensure that technology serves people, improves lives, and creates opportunities for all Jamaicans,” she affirmed.

The Minister was addressing the launch of Fujitsu Caribbean’s Digitisation Services and DOC, held under the theme, “Ready for the Next Chapter”, at the company’s headquarters in St. Andrew on Wednesday (September 16).

Ambassador Marks said the launch is an important milestone for the nation’s ongoing journey towards becoming a more modern, efficient, innovative, and digitally enabled society.

“The establishment of this centre demonstrates confidence in our people, confidence in our capabilities, and confidence in Jamaica’s future as a regional hub for technology-innovative services,” she affirmed.

Ambassador Marks pointed out that across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, many institutions continue to manage valuable records that exist primarily in paper format.

She noted that these records contain critical information, yet are often difficult to search and access, vulnerable to deterioration, and challenging to integrate into modern digital systems.

The Minister said digitisation addresses these challenges by preserving important historical and institutional records while making information more accessible, secure and useful.

“It allows organisations to improve operational efficiency, strengthen compliance, enhance service delivery, and supports better decision-making,” Ambassador Marks affirmed.

She noted that one of Jamaica’s most notable initiatives, undertaken by Fujitsu Caribbean, was the successful digitisation of more than two million birth, marriage and death records at the Registrar General’s Department, now known as the Office of the Registrar General.

“This initiative not only helped prepare critical national records but also dramatically improved accessibility and service delivery to citizens at home and abroad,” the Minister stated.

She further cited the ongoing modernisation of records management at the National Land Agency (NLA) as an example of how digitisation can enhance information management while improving efficiency and accessibility.

“These are not simply technology projects. They are nation-building initiatives that protect our national information assets. They also improve service delivery, strengthen institutional resilience, and create a trusted data foundation required for future innovation,” Ambassador Marks stated.

She emphasised that the launch of Fujitsu’s Digitisation Operations Centre represents a regional capability that goes far beyond the simple conversion of paper documents into digital files.

“It supports the full information lifecycle, from document capture and records management to intelligent search, advanced information discovery, governance, compliance, and AI readiness,” the Minister detailed.

She noted that she is particularly pleased with the Centre’s focus on local talent development, pointing out that the future of digital transformation will depend not only on technology but also on people.

“By creating opportunities for Jamaican professionals to develop expertise in digitisation, information management, intelligent automation, and emerging technologies, this initiative contributes directly to strengthening our digital workforce and creating high-value career opportunities for our people,” Ambassador Marks stated.

She noted that this aligns closely with the Government’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy in which innovation, technology and human talent work together to drive sustainable growth and development.

“Fujitsu Caribbean’s partnership with public-sector entities and its investment in local capability development [are] excellent examples of the type of collaboration required to accelerate Jamaica’s digital transformation journey,” the Minister added.