ST JAMES, Jamaica – State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright has announced that the Government will be increasing spending and promotional efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s global digital services sector, which he described as critical to economic stability and youth employment.

Seiveright was speaking at the JMMB Group Thought Leadership Breakfast at the S Hotel in Montego Bay on Wednesday, held under the theme “The Way Forward: Economic Renewal, Business Confidence & Growth Opportunities”.

Seiveright said the Government, through the ministry and agencies such as Jampro and the Jamaica Special Economic Zones Authority, is placing renewed focus on the industry.

“It’s a sector that we have committed to pay even more attention to, given its critical impact on sopping up, you know, employment, getting people employed, especially young people, but also getting them trained and getting them anchored for the life of work,” he said.

“The BPO sector… the global digital services sector, of course, delivers immediate employment, stable foreign exchange earnings and rapid skills development, and the continuity of those operations are critical to workforce stability and Jamaica’s reputation as a global services exporter,” he added.

He also noted that the sector currently employs more than 50,000 Jamaicans, primarily young people.

“As a matter of fact, I believe it employs over 50,000 give or take, Jamaicans, and those are primarily young people; many in western Jamaica, quite a bit in Kingston, Portmore and surrounding areas,” Seiveright said.

He added that BPO workers are highly sought after across sectors.

“Somebody who has done well in the global digital services sector, the BPO space, they tend to be very well trained. They have good customer service skills. They’re able to handle pressure a little better, and that’s one of the big advantages coming from that space,” said Seiveright.

Against the backdrop of recent disruptions in Montego Bay during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Seiveright said the Government will intensify its support.

“Given the damage that has been brought on to Montego Bay, which has disrupted some operations in the space, we’ll be spending more money and putting more effort into promotional activities for the global digital services sector,” the state minister said.

He also pointed to the sector’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all remember how important of a role that industry played during the COVID-19 pandemic and its ability to function despite the challenges of the time,” he recounted.

– Horace Hines