PM Highlights Importance Of Global Services Sector

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the global services sector is a priority on the island’s growth agenda.

“We moved quickly to provide support to the sector by allowing workers movement during curfew hours, enabling operators to continue to support critical verticals such as logistics, healthcare, banking and finance, and security,” he outlined.

The Prime Minister was addressing the opening of the third annual Outsourcing2 Jamaica Conference, Symposium and Career Summit, held virtually on Friday, June 11.

The two-day event is hosted by the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) – (formerly Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica).

Mr. Holness said the Government’s increased support of the sector since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on the island last year is consistent with the value placed on the industry.

“We enabled work from home through a bond waver on computers from the special economic zones. [We] provided support to JAMPRO in the skills development programme, which puts Jamaicans on a pathway to upgrade their skills, provide higher-value services to the sector and transition up the value chain,” he said.

The Prime Minister argued that these measures have helped to secure the jobs of about 43,000 employees, maintain stability within the sector and safeguard foreign exchange earnings on the island.

He further noted that the sector has rebounded from temporary declines last year, to return to pre-pandemic numbers.

The Prime Minister pointed out that in addition to tourism and remittances, the global services sector represents one of the largest sources of foreign exchange inflows into Jamaica.

Mr. Holness said the sector will play a key role in the nation’s digital transformation with the deployment of digital tools and services that enable a fully transformed digital economy, in keeping with the Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan.

“Jamaica continues to be the most sought after English-speaking location in this region and we continue to create and support opportunities for foreign investors seeking a nearshore solution. I encourage everyone to welcome networking opportunities, to learn new ways of doing things, while embracing the new ideas being shared as we look to move out of the pandemic,” he said.

The Prime Minister extended congratulations to the team at the GSAJ for staging the event, especially amid the global pandemic. He also commended the partners and sponsors who are supporting the event.

This year’s staging of the virtual two-day conference is being held under the theme ‘Back to the Future’.

Attendees will learn from leaders in the global outsourcing sector, with a number of presentations and round-table discussions focused on the latest technology, leadership and business strategy.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with global industry players using virtual reality to enhance the experience.