Khemlani
Steve Khemlani of the Khemlani Group says the new highway connecting Portmore to Kingston is good for business.
To support that view, he is on track to open two new stores later this month, one of them in Portmore. Khemlani invested $170 million in the Khemlani Mart, Tropical Plaza, in Kingston, and Khemlani Mart Portmore stores.
A cursory glance of the business community there seems to indicate equal optimism by other businesses, as indicated by an apparent upswing in new and established business operations, he says.
"We," says Mr. Khemlani, "are poised to take advantage of the opportunities any astute entrepreneur must see in this growing community. The new highway, I see as being very great for business, and will I am sure, further positively impact on real estate prices. As a matter of fact," he offered, "a colleague just told me that a piece of land which he bought 15 years ago for J$370,000, recently attracted an offer of J$20 million."
He says the new highway will account in the coming year for up to a billion dollars in investment in the Portmore community.
"We ourselves are looking at the situation keenly, with a view to making other long-term investments here," he states.
Vibrant, growing community
"Portmore is a vibrant and growing community," states Mr. Khemlani, "mainly consisting of young people, making up, we believe approximately 70 per cent of the population there."
Opening and closing hours will also cater to the special characteristics of the Portmore lifestyle and community which is a dormitory community of Kingston with many residents working in the capital and returning home to the community in the evenings.
"While we believe that this perspective of Portmore is changing," says Steve, "we recognise that many shoppers would probably benefit from shopping hours which will allow them to access our goods after work."
Khemlani Mart trades principally in Manor Centre, which is also owned by the Khemlani Group. Offering a mix of household furniture and appliances, the two new stores will employ 80 additional workers from entry to managerial level.
"We hope to be open to the public by the last week in July," said Khemlani.
