By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
JAMAICA LEADS 10 other competing Caribbean territories in information and communication technology (ICT) outsourcing, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is reporting.
Stephen McNair, senior consultant at JAMPRO, told The Gleaner last week that Jamaica, with its 13 ICT outsourcing companies, is the Caribbean's outsourcing leader. Over 5,000 people are employed in the industry locally.
"Most of the companies that outsource their operations are based in the United States," Mr. McNair said. "In an effort to diversify their operations, they are seeking more near-shore operations, hence Jamaica's suitability."
Outsourcing in the ICT sector covers a wide range of activities, but Jamaica has specialised in inbound and outbound call centre services. And the state-owned investment promotions company is predicting rapid growth in the sector.
"Most of the companies that outsource their operations are based in the United States," Mr. McNair said. "In an effort to diversify their operations, they are seeking more near-shore operations, hence Jamaica's suitability."
U.S.-based companies are outsourcing an increasing proportion of their ICT work to cheaper overseas contractors. India benefited disproportionately from this in the past.
As the outsourcing business developed, however, many companies have discovered the strategic advantage of spreading such work between their home operations, and outsourcing contractors close by in Canada and the Caribbean, as well as contractors further afield in Asia and Eastern Europe.
Jamaica has also gained a positive reputation because of the quality of English spoken in the island, which is pleasing to North American ears, and overall work ethic of Jamaicans, Mr. McNair said.
Mr. McNair added that a further growth of 3,000 agents per annum is expected for Jamaica as companies shift their business to the island.
In speaking on the massive growth of the ICT sector, Ambassador Peter King, chairman of the Trade Board, told The Gleaner last week that the sector pumps up to $1 billion annually into Jamaica's economy.
