Jamaica Gov’t spending US$20m to expand ICT space

(Jamaica Observer) MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), 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.

“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,” Paulwell said.

The minister, who was addressing a press briefing 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 said.

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