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History in the making

Published:Thursday | October 16, 2014 | 1:51 PM
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Di Foto Shoppe/Contributed From left: Managing Director of Columbus Communications, Sean Latty chats with Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Mining and Energy, Julian Robinson and president of the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica, Yoni Epstein during the signing of a deal for CBS to build an incubator at the Montego Freezone
Di Foto Shoppe/Contributed From left: Gail Sommerville-Abrahams, director of corporate communications, Columbus Business Solutions (CBS), Grant Hume, vice president (CBS), Gloria Henry, general manager, Montego Freezone and Stephen Dear, Scotiabank, 
Di Foto Shoppe/Contributed From left: Germaine Phillips, board member, Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), in a jovial mood with Columbus Business Solutions' Dwayne Bennett and Tanikie McClarthy.
Di Foto Shoppe/Contributed From left: Manager of Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica, Julaire Hall, 2nd vice president, Leroy Reid and treasurer, Sharon Brown at the signing of a deal for Columbus Business Solutions (CBS), to construct an incubator at the Montego Freezone.
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History was made at the Half Moon hotel in Montego Bay on Wednesday. Stakeholders of the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), the Government, its business outsourcing sector (BPO) agency and Columbus Business Solutions (CBS) signed a $13.5 million commitment to communication giants CBS to create an incubator for business operators who wish to operate in the free zone, but may not have access to seats.

The move has been tagged by BPIAJ president, Yoni Epstein, as historic, while Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Mining and Energy Julian Robinson said it was a positive indicator of the private sector supporting growth in the industry.

themed breakfast

The stakeholders were speaking over a delicious Jamaican-them breakfast at Half Moon, A Rock Resort in Rose Hall.

Tasting the crËme de la crËme of ackee and salt fish, boiled bananas, steamed calaloo, fried dumplings and fresh fruits in season, the investors in BPO were guaranteed by CBS Jamaica's new managing director, Sean Latty, that "the partnership recognises the importance of the BPIAJ's take on national development and is intended to provide a solution that fast-tracks new entrants to the local market, a problem that has often been cited by the Government and industry players alike".

Currently, there are approximately 40 BPO companies in operation, accounting for approximately 14,000 jobs. "We believe that this is a small portion of what the industry is capable of and the partnership with CBS will ease one of the challenges that has stifled the sector's growth," said Epstein.

Those in attendance included, CBS' Grant Hume, Gail Sommerville-Abrahams, Tanikie McClarthy, Montego Freezone's Gloria Henry, Davon Crump, Stephen Dear, Sonia Clarke-Bowen and Cheryl Stewart.