Global investors should unearth Jamaica's hidden treasures — Bowen : The Forum, which was led by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), hopes to pull investment of over US$1 billion ($115 billion) into the economy over the next few years.

Friday, March 13, 2015    

SENIOR Vice-President of Scotia Group Bruce Bowen has called on global investors to 'unearth the hidden treasures in Jamaica' during the hosting of Jamaica Investment Forum earlier this week.

The Forum, which was led by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), hopes to pull investment of over US$1 billion ($115 billion) into the economy over the next few years.

The Montego Bay Convention Centre

The event saw global investors from North America, Pakistan, Turkey, China, India, Spain, France and the United Kingdom attending what is termed as "Jamaica's premier international and business conference" at the Montego Bay Convention Centre over a two-day period.

"I would point to some specific sectors -- hidden treasures if you will -- that are ripe for further investments and which have great potential for growth," Bowen stated. "These areas are tourism, agriculture and agro-processing, ICT, business process outsourcing (BPO), export and manufacturing."

JAMPRO has indicated that it will be focusing on these marketable and bankable sectors during the Forum to assist in delivering jobs and GDP growth. It says that these sectors will help to create the desired logistics-centred economy.

"There can be no doubt that the development of the ICT sector has transformed life in Jamaica in many ways over the past two decades," Bowen stated.

"Our very own contact centre is a Scotiabank BPO success story, and it continues to grow and provide a range of services, including Internet, telephone and mobile banking support. We also maintain one of our three regional processing hubs in Jamaica, leveraging the quality and efficiency of our workforce, and the tax efficiency of exporting services within the region," Bowen added. more