Jamaica Just Needs a ‘Little Push’ to Fuel Technology Boom
July 11th, 2011Commentary by David Mullings
Jamaica is on the cusp of a technology-fueled growth boom but we need a little push to get over the current bumps to start the trip down the hill, picking up speed like a snowball.
Some argue that there is really a “technology crisis” in Jamaica but any such label is not taking into account what business owners and potential investors look at to determine where to invest in building capacity.
Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company, lists Jamaica as an up-and-coming near-shore destination. Jamaica is also ranked 33rd out of 50 near-shore locations by the AT Kearney Global Services Location Index which provides an aggregate score for each country based on scores on three indices — financial attractiveness, people availability, and business environment.
True to our form of over-achieving in some areas, Jamaica is the highest ranked English-speaking Caribbean country on …
Jamaica Promotion Group Seeks to Woo Investors
June 24th, 2011Major investment opportunities from targeted sectors in Jamaica will be presented to key players in the Canadian business community at the Invest in Jamaica forum organised by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto.
The forum, which will feature Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda as the keynote speaker, will include roundtable discussions and specially arranged one-on-one meetings on investment in infrastructure development, information and communications technology (ICT) and manufacturing.
The Jamaican delegation at the event will seek to engage key Canadian business interests and present the island as a viable investment destination with potentially lucrative opportunities, a business-friendly environment and attractive incentives.
Sancia Bennett Templer, president of JAMPRO, and Milverton Reynolds, managing director of the Development Bank of Jamaica, are slated to speak on privatisation and infrastructure investment projects, which include the Caymanas Economic Zone, airports and aerodromes and a renowned Jamaica …
Jamaica: So Close, But Yet So Out of Touch
May 9th, 2011
Is the sun going down on Jamaica BPO?
Can a country with so much promise get its act together?
By Kirk Laughlin
Jamaica is – in the view of this online journal – currently the biggest disappointment of any nation in the nearshore sourcing industry. This country of 2.7 million, so deeply blessed with an abundant supply of English-speaking professionals, is squandering a major opportunity to become a more viable player in the outsourced services marketplace.
Canadian-Jamaican Group Starts Outsourcing Business
April 22nd, 2011MONTEGO BAY — Some say the investment climate is hostile because of the poor state of the Jamaican economy, but a group of Canadian and Jamaican investors have taken the bold move to put their money where their mouths are and go into the out-sourcing business.
An idea that started some time ago, finally materialised last year when SynchroSource Offshore Solutions (SOS) started operations, taking inbound order entry calls for Pizza-Pizza, the largest pizza restaurant in Canada with over 700 locations nationwide.
Even without the financial backing from any major banks, the group, mostly based on Canada -pooled resources and a “vision” jumped feet first into the market.
Two weeks ago, SynchroSource had their official launch at their offices on Fort Street and while the ceremony was short the optimism was palpable.
Currently the company with a staff of seven has one client, but the dream is to grow …
Caribbean IT Talent Supply: Can Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Barbados Go Higher Value?
March 4th, 2011
Well known for tourism, but how does the Caribbean fare in IT services?
By Tarun George
Traditionally a region reputed for call center and voice support work, the governments and promotion agencies of the Caribbean have been pushing to move up the value chain into higher level services. The arguments for time zone, proximity and cultural affinity are quite valid for the Caribbean, perhaps more so than for Latin America.
The question is how serious is the demand for Caribbean IT services from a nearshore services perspective? And are there enough technically skilled workers to satisfy that demand? We spoke with top contacts in three Caribbean countries – the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Barbados – to get the answers.
Delta Airlines Pulls the Plug on Montego Bay
January 16th, 2011Delta Cargo will bring back work from a contract call center in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where customers can call to inquire about shipments of animals, CEO Richard Anderson said Thursday, on a recorded message for employees.
“One of the ways to mitigate the impact of the recession is to insource work,” Anderson said. “It provides job protection and it is consistent with what the administration wants companies to do in the U.S. today, which is to bring back work from overseas and do our best to increase employment.”
Forty contract employees had been taking Delta’s animal-transport related calls at the MBJ call center in Montego Bay, but cross-training will enable employees in Atlanta and Minneapolis to handle the work, Delta said.
Global Gateway Solutions Receives Jamaica Employer of the Year Award
December 23rd, 2010
GGS receiving the award from the Minister of Industry and Commerce
The Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Jamaica, today honoured Global Gateway Solutions, Inc. (GGS) as “Employer of the Year” .
Lauded as “Jamaica’s fastest growing contact center” by influential industry publication, Nearshore Americas, Global Gateway Solutions, Inc. (GGS) has emerged as one of the companies to watch in Jamaica’s burgeoning ICT sector.
GGS is a full-service call-centre and business process outsourcer. Operating from two facilities in the Montego Bay Freeport with a total of 20,000 square feet, GGS provides customer service, collection, tele-sales, and back-office services primarily to North American clients.
2010 was a breakout-year for the company. Starting in January with 35 agents, GGS will close out a remarkable year of growth with nearly 500 full-time employees. Along the way, GGS became the near-shore partner of …
Fueling ICT Sector is “Number One” Priority for Jamaica
November 29th, 2010Sancia Bennett-Templer, president of JAMPRO, expects stronger growth in the Jamaica ICT sector as more Jamaicans view it as a viable career path.
Are Jamaicans Tech Savvy?
November 18th, 2010Kirk Laughlin goes to the streets of Kingston to learn more about the appetite Jamaica has for technology.
Site Visit: Inside the Fastest Growing Call Center in Jamaica
November 10th, 2010Minacs Global Gateway Solutions in Montego Bay is expanding at a furious pace. What’s their secret?
