Jamaica to Become ICT Destination – Paulwell

Minister of Science, Technology and Mining Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says Jamaica is poised to be the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the western hemisphere, and the Government will be encouraging partnership with the private sector to ensure the expansion of the industry.

“We are looking now for Jamaica to be the ICT capital in the western hemisphere and with the telecommunication infrastructure that we have, and is developing, there is no way why it ought not to be the case,” the Minister said on Friday Jan. 27, while on a tour of ICT facilities at the Montego Bay Free Zone, in James.

“We are very impressed with the continued high quality service that Jamaica continues to offer to the world. In many cases the cry has been by the companies for more space. They are looking to expand, they do see the environment emerging now that provides for greater Government support, greater government leadership. Jamaica is about to retake its position as the leading ICT destination in the Caribbean,” Mr. Paulwell added.

Pointing out that there are issues to be grappled with, the Minister said while Government will provide the leadership required for the expansion of the sector, the players too must cooperate. “Believe that we have to engender partnership with the investors in Jamaica, so that we can work in tandem with them to develop the ICT business,” he said.

Out of cooperation he said, much of the challenges will be settled, and the expansion can move to other parts of the island, and provide employment. “We want to see greater cooperation at this level, because we want to see the business grow in Montego Bay, we want to see Mandeville emerging as a major destination for ICT, and we are looking at Portmore, where we have significant space,” he outlined.

Minister Paulwell in encouraging the private sector to invest in space infrastructure for ICT argued that it is an area that earnings can be made from. “As we have seen with so many of the businesses they grow overtime and with that we are prepared to partner, we are prepared to look at some of the incentives that people are desiring, and the Government itself has to also invest in space. We need at least a minimum of one million square feet of office space immediately, and going forward it will expand even more,” the Minister said.

The Minister also toured facilities at the Montego Bay Free Port, and was accompanied by his State Minister, Julian Robinson; State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams;  and personnel from JAMPRO, and other agencies.

By Garfield L. Angus, JIS Reporter