Business
Jamaica open for business, welcomes investment – Minister
“These advantages, as well as the fact that the Government has demonstrated its support for this priority sector, have kept industry heavyweights such ACS (Xerox), Tele-performance and West Corporation operating on the island for almost a decade,” the Minister noted.
With respect to export-oriented manufacturing, Minister Hylton pointed to “niche investment opportunities” in areas such as agro-processing, furniture and manufacturing, boat building and bio-technology.
He stated that Jamaica’s location at the centre of the shipping routes between North and South America, Europe and the Far East, its skilled workforce and high level of social stability, combines to provide a strategic exporting platform.
Additionally, he noted, the island boasts a diverse manufacturing sector, which includes beverages, processed foods, chemicals, plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and apparels.
In the area of tourism, the Minister declared that Jamaica is the perfect destination and entertains port visits from several of the world’s premier cruise ships. “The island offers a blend of culture, natural beauty and attractions. The tourist sector provides opportunities in specialized areas such as ecotourism, health, heritage, entertainment and culture tourism,” he said.
He said that ecotourism, which is a fairly recent phenomenon, is particularly attractive to persons, who are thinking green and are seeking an alternative travel package that minimizes any negative influences on the environment.
The Minister also pointed to opportunities in “health and wellness tourism” in which there is a growing interest and has become a global trend for the health conscious traveler.
