Global Gateway Chairman Mark Jones, left, and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda

What began with a single visit to Jamaica in 2007 for Mark Jones has turned into a group of investments employing 1,000 Jamaicans in real estate, financial services and information communication technology.

Jones, the chairman of Global Gateway Solutions, a call centre firm, is bullish on Jamaican business. Jones was in Toronto this week telling potential Canadian investors about the strength of Jamaica’s business market — one that is full of opportunities but somehow largely unknown.

“As an investor you will be a big fish,” he said. “Your investment can be impactful, and how you choose to leverage that impact is up to you.”

Jones, along with his family, is involved in a number of charities; one has donated 5,000 computers to 450 schools in the country.

“More recently we have formed technology and service clubs in high schools and, today, we have about 2,300 high school students who come twice a week, on their own time, to learn more about technology and to do community service projects oriented towards technology.”

Jones was speaking at the JAMPRO Investment Forum, which focused on investment opportunities in the country, from the Caymanas Economic Zone to Blue Mountain coffee.

–Jamaica Information Service