Jamaica’s BPO Sector Expands from Humble Beginnings to Over Three Million Square Feet
- Jamaica’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector has recorded phenomenal growth over the past four decades, transforming from a modest operation in the Montego Bay Free Zone to a sprawling industry encompassing over three million square feet of space islandwide.
- According to Vice President, BPO and Logistics, Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Gloria Henry, this expansion has been fuelled by increasing private sector investment and strategic stakeholder vision to position Jamaica as a key player in the global logistics hub.
- The shift from public to private sector dominance has been a key driver of this growth. Up to 15 years ago, the public sector, through the PAJ, was the primary provider of BPO space. The private sector now accounts for 67% of the space occupied, a testament to the industry’s increasing attractiveness and potential.
- The PAJ has been pivotal in catalysing the BPO industry, facilitating its transition from traditional box processing to higher-value services.
- Meanwhile, Jamaica is being strategically positioned to capitalise on the $1.5Tn third-party logistics (3PL) space. The Cayman Special Economic Zone (SEZ1) is expected to play a significant role in this endeavour, leveraging the synergies between BPO and 3PL. Given its proximity to Jamaica and its attractive tax incentives, the SEZ serves as a strategic hub for linking Jamaica’s BPO sector to the 3PL industry. By providing high-value support services, the SEZ acts as a regional enabler that can strengthen and expand Jamaica’s BPO operations.
_________________________________
1The Cayman Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a designated area within the Cayman Islands that offers attractive incentives for international businesses to set up a physical presence, allowing them to operate essentially tax-free and with streamlined processes, primarily focused on attracting companies in sectors like technology, media, and financial services.
(Source: JIS)