Jamaica to Expand Tech Sector

By: - August 4th, 2011

Jamaica’s government announced a plan to expand the country’s information and communications technology sector, along with its business process outsourcing industry, according to Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Dr Christopher Tufton.

“It is our position, as a government, that the local ICT/BPO sector presents the greatest opportunity to create jobs in the shortest possible time,” he said. “Business processing outsourcing has, increasingly, become the best practise for global corporations seeking reduced costs by focusing on core activities, process and technological improvements.”

Global expenditure on business processing outsourcing totaled $460 billion last year, and the market will grow at an annual rate of nine percent, according to the International Data Corporation.

Dr Tufton said it would be a top priority for the government.

Patrick asserly, an ICT businessman, has been appointed as an ambassador/special envoy for ICT in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

–Jamaica Information Service

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