Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MONTEGO Bay Freezone needs to be expanded to ease the shortage of office space, says Senator Noel Sloley, chairman of the board of directors.
He encouraged the city's business community to invest in its expansion and development. Speaking to a gathering of businessmen at the 20th Anniversary Awards Banquet and Dinner, at the Rose Hall resort and Country Club last Saturday, Mr. Sloley said that the company was in the process of converting its factory space in order to keep up with the growing need for office space.
OFFICE SPACE
"The Freezone currently has in excess of 500,000 square feet of space. About half of that is in office space, which is fully rented, the remainder of which is factory space," he said. "We are in the process of converting this to office space and making it available to investors."
In issuing his call, Mr. Sloley went on to assure potential investors of the Montego Bay Freezone's stability and growth potential.
"The Government has been in the forefront of building the space and renting it," he said. "It has shown that the clients are committed and will lease office space at a rate that will provide positive returns. If we in the Government can do it, it means that this is a really outstanding opportunity for the private sector to participate in."
Two companies now are actively looking either to build on their own or for somebody to build office space for them, he continued. "One company, which is an existing (freezone) company, is looking for 50,000 square feet of office space immediately, the other one is seeking 100,000 square feet, and they want it within Montego Bay."
