An impressive and diverse cross section of the local business community is lending its support to the inaugural staging of the Jamaica Investment Forum, which is being hosted by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at the Convention Centre in Montego Bay from March 1-2.

The invitation-only event, which is being organised by JAMPRO, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Compete Caribbean programme, has attracted top level platinum sponsorship from the Columbus Business Solutions (a part of the Flow Network), Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS), Scotiabank Jamaica, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Jamaica and Main Events. The government entity HEART Trust/NTA is also listed among the platinum sponsors.

Associate sponsors include Digicel, Rose Hall Investments Limited, MBJ Airports Limited, Iprint and Iberostar. The event will also benefit from strong support from public sector bodies such as the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), National Housing Trust (NHT), Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), Urban Development Corporation (UDC), and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

Jacky Simmonds, Marketing and Energy Services Manager at JPS, stated that her company was happy to be sponsoring the event as part of its contribution to national development.

“Even as our country improves its systems and structures to world class standards, we understand the need to tangibly support that effort.  We, therefore, continue to commit resources to not only long-term, sustainable projects, but also initiatives such as the Jamaica Investment Forum, which will drive our country forward and produce a better quality of life for our people," stated Simmonds.

Director of corporate and government affairs at Flow, Denise Williams, indicated that Flow and Columbus Business Solutions were extremely pleased to be supporting the efforts of the Government of Jamaica to position the island as a strong and viable business destination.

“Our own significant investment of US$350M to date, to build the first of its kind broadband infrastructure, is a testament of our confidence in Jamaica.  We are pleased that our network adds to the overall attractiveness of the island to both local and foreign investors.  In addition to advantages such as geographic location and skilled labour force, Jamaica now has the most advanced state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure that makes the island even more attractive to companies offering services such as nearshore, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Call Centre services.  We are proud to participate in this Investment Forum, and look forward to sharing information on the island’s many advantages to potential investors,” stated Williams.

Dr. Carolyn Hayle, Executive Director of the HEART Trust/NTA, also expressed pleasure at supporting the Forum, noting that it was closely aligned with the efforts of her agency to make Jamaica more competitive and appealing to investors.

“HEART has a full appreciation of the entire spectrum of human resources available in the country, and the ultimate test for us is to ensure that our effort to train the Jamaican workforce and improve productivity meets the needs of prospective investors,” said Dr. Hayle.

Participants at the Forum will be provided with opportunities to experience the island’s beauty, culture and warm hospitality through a comprehensive social programme. This will be bolstered by sponsorship assistance from Iberostar – the official forum hotel, Club Mobay VIP airport departure lounge, Dolphin Cove, Rose Hall Investments Limited through golf at Cinnamon Hill, Wallenford Coffee and Wisynco.

The Forum, which will showcase the country’s investment opportunities in priority sectors such as tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), manufacturing and major privatization and development projects, will bring together specially invited local and international investors in the second city of Montego Bay. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will head a high profile slate of local and international speakers that includes the Hon. Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Phillip Vandervoort, head of business and marketing operations at Microsoft; Helena Lawson Brooks, SVP of Specialty Operations, Convergys Corporation; Ancile Brewster, IDB Country Manager; and Dr. Harsh Muthal, CEO, Tholons Inc.

Potential investors attending the Forum will have the opportunity to view first-hand some select investment projects on specially arranged JAMPRO site visits and private meetings. They will also stand to benefit from insightful information pertaining to the Government of Jamaica’s investment policies and incentive regimes; and networking opportunities among existing investors and leaders in the local business community