KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, has highlighted Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), agriculture, tourism linkages, and export as key areas of focus for Jamaica’s investment and trade promotions agency, Jampro, in the 2019 /20 financial year.

The minister met recently with Jampro’s Board of Directors and executives to discuss the strategy for the new financial year, as the government seeks to develop Jamaica’s economy and put more focus on strengthening industries in Jamaica.

According to a statement form Jampro, the parties discussed methods of strengthening the BPO sector through the Global Services Sector (GSS) initiative, and they explored potential initiatives that would support the agriculture sector to meet the demand for various products, including coffee, cocoa, sweet potatoes and other produce.

“Increasing exports to CARICOM and the Jamaican Diaspora are also priority areas for the new financial year. Jampro will work with international partners to increase the country’s exports, as well as to encourage more business with Jamaica’s regional neighbours,” the statement continued

Jampro’s President Diane Edwards said the meeting was fruitful, and reinforced the agency’s strategy for economic development.

Edwards said: “Jampro is working with the ministry and our local partners to focus on target areas for the financial year, as we continue our 3 year strategic plan which includes a more efficient Jampro that can serve Jamaica by boosting economic growth. We look forward to continue working with Ministers Shaw, Hutchinson and Green as we seek to build sectors like agriculture, tourism and outsourcing, which are crucial to our country’s economic advancement.”

Jampro is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries. Its mission is to drive economic development through growth in investment and export.