By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
JAMAICA'S RELEVANCE and role in information technology is under the microscope this week, as the island plays host to more than 150 international visitors to the 2004 Call Centre Summit of the Americas.
The conference which runs from February 8 to 11 at Half Moon Hotel, Montego Bay, offers the opportunity for Jamaica to promote itself as a favourable and strategic offshore location for information and communication technology (ICT) services.
Citing the slew of benefits that the island can gain from the Call Centre Summit of the Americas, Julian Robinson, JAMPRO's manager of investment promotions, said, "The summit is expected to attract some 200 senior level executives in the ICT business and it will be a major market for Jamaica to tap into."
Mr. Robinson said the conference is expected to attract economic focus on the country as it will provide worthwhile opportunities for networking, information sharing, and the forging of new relationships with the call centre companies scheduled to participate in the summit.
JAMAICA LEADING IN THE ICT SECTOR
JAMPRO is reiterating that Jamaica has taken the lead in ICT in the region because of its well-developed telecommunication infrastructure and a liberalised ICT sector; its English-speaking, well-educated workforce and the country's easy accessibility to most major US cities.
The Call Centre Summit of the Americas is part of an annual series of global business conferences that are organised by the Summit Circuit, of Toronto, Canada. The objectives of the four-day event is to provide a forum for deliberations on matters relating to the ICT industry.
Among topics to be covered at the conference are: the future of outsourced teleservices, Jamaica the premier near-shore investment location, optimising your contact (call) centre to full potential and shaping the evolution of communications.
Jamaica's selection for the call centre summit has received endorsements from several international ICT corporations.
