What’s new

ICT Business Owners Form Lobby

by
Yoni Epstein, chairman of the newly formed Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica, launched Septem-ber 20, at the offices of JAMPRO in St Andrew.
Yoni Epstein, chairman of the newly formed Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica, launched Septem-ber 20, at the offices of JAMPRO in St Andrew.

Local call centre and technology firms on September 20 formed the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) aimed at lobbying the interests of the US$200-million (J$18b) industry.

Areas of immediate focus will include access to ready built space, cybercrime legislation, development of a training curriculum recognised by the global industry, the establishment of a business incubator for start-ups and staff transportation, according to Jampro, the primary facilitator for ICT investments in Jamaica.

The executive of the association comprises Yoni Epstein, chairman; Mark Kerr-Jarrett, treasurer; Karl Graham, secretary; Jacqueline Sutherland, director; and John Spencer.

international practice

According to Epstein, the formation of the BPIAJ is in keeping with the international practice in countries that enjoy sustained success in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology sector. He noted that the association would lobby the Government for the “right” policies and tools that will ensure the growth of the sector.

“We have 26 BPO/ICT companies in Jamaica and many of them are small. We want to make it our duty to help those small players grow their businesses as well. There is also a need for unity within our sector, and through this association, we will achieve that,” stated Epstein during the launch at Jampro head office in St Andrew.

The local BPO industry which, currently employs some 11,500 workers, was identified by the Government as a priority sector in its development plan for the country under Vision 2030.

Epstein expects to strengthen the relationship with Jampro and the Government.

For 2011-12 financial year, Jampro-facilitated investments created some 4,729 jobs, with 51 per cent of this total being attributable to the ICT sector.

The previous year, the investments totalled J$3.2 billion, and created 2,583 jobs.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton at last Thursday’s launch held at Jampro’s offices, described the BPIAJ’s formation as an important step towards growing the industry and realising Vision 2030 Plan.

“By organising yourselves, you have not only enhanced Jamaica’s reputation in the world, you are bringing even greater definition and structural integrity to ensure that we build a BPO industry that will be a global benchmark,” said Hylton.

“The formation of the BPIAJ is a tangible demonstration of our resolve to transform our economy through worthwhile ICT investments. I am very confident that the BPIAJ will bring the requisite thought leadership and collaboration to ensure that we build an industry that we will be proud of, and that will marvel the world.”

Worldwide BPO spending is expected to grow at an annual rate of nine per cent set to reach US$1 trillion by 2014, according to the International Data Corporation.

business@gleanerjm.com

Full Caption

From left: Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) Director of Human Resources Sharon Brown, treasurer of the BPIAJ, Mark Kerr-Jarrett; manager of knowledge services at JAMPRO, Vivian Scully and ambassador/special envoy with responsibility for ICT, Patrick Casserly, discuss business during the launch of the newly formed BPIAJ last Thursday at the offices of JAMPRO. The burgeoning domestic BPO/ICT sector is currently valued at more than US$200 million (J$18 billion).-CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BPO SECTOR FORMS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

by
NEWS
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BPO SECTOR FORMS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton shakes hands with Yoni Epstein, chairman of the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) on Thursday, September 20 at the launch of the BPIAJ at the offices of JAMPRO.

Players in the burgeoning domestic Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/ICT sector, which is currently valued at well over US$200 million (J$18 billion), have banded together to form the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) with the support of JAMPRO – the national investment and export promotion agency.

The launch, which took place on September 20 at the JAMPRO Business Auditorium in New Kingston, brought together representatives from BPO/ICT companies based in Montego Bay, Kingston and St. Catherine. The executive of the association is comprised of Yoni Epstein, chairman; Mark Kerr Jarrett, treasurer; Karl Graham, secretary; Jacqueline Sutherland, director; and John Spencer, who is also a director.

According to Epstein, the formation the BPIAJ is in keeping with the international practice in countries that enjoy sustained success in the BPO/ICT sector. He noted that the inception of the BPIAJ at this time was critical, and represents a private sector-led charge to lobby the government for the right policies and tools that will ensure the growth of the sector.

Yoni Epstein, Chairman of the BPIAJ

“We have 26 BPO/ICT companies in Jamaica and many of them are small. We want to make it our duty to help those small players grow their businesses as well. There is also a need for unity within our sector, and through this association, we will achieve that,” stated Epstein.

He indicated that areas of immediate focus of the newly formed association would include access to ready built space, cyber-crime legislation, development of a training curriculum recognised by the global industry, the establishment of a business incubator to allow start-ups to test the waters and public transportation issues related to the movement of staff. Epstein added that he was looking forward to strengthening the existing working relationship with JAMPRO, which has provided invaluable support to the industry, as well as the relevant ministries and state agencies.

(L-R) Claude Duncan, JAMPRO’s Vice President of Investment Promotions; Julian Robinson, State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining; Reginald Budhan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Vivion Scully, Manager of Knowledge Services at JAMPRO; Karl Graham, Secretary of the Business Processing Industry Association (BPIAJ); Patrick Casserly, Ambassador/special envoy with responsibility for ICT; , Paula Kerr-Jarrett; Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Yoni Epstein, Chairman of the BPIAJ; Sancia Bennett Templer, JAMPRO President; and Mark Kerr Jarrett, Treasurer of the BPIAJ, at the launch of the BPIAJ at the offices of JAMPRO on Thursday, September 20, 2012.

In 2010/2011, ICT/BPO investments facilitated by JAMPRO totalled J$3.2 billion, and created 2,583 jobs. For 2011/2012 financial year, JAMPRO-facilitated investments created some 4,729 jobs, with 51% of this total being attributable to the ICT sector. The Jamaica Coalition of Service Industries (JCSI), which is housed within JAMPRO, provided assistance with the legal registration of the BPIAJ through the instrumentality of its newly developed Association Formation Guide.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, in his address to the gathering at the launch, welcomed the formation of the BPIAJ, describing it as an important step towards realising the Vision 2030 Plan to use ICT to “enhance national productivity, efficiency and wealth”.

The Hon. Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, addressing the gathering at the launch of the BPIAJ at JAMPRO on September 20.

“By organizing yourselves, you have not only enhanced Jamaica’s reputation in the world, you are bringing even greater definition and structural integrity, to ensure that we build a BPO industry that will be a global benchmark,” stated Minister Hylton.

He added, “The formation of the BPIAJ is a tangible demonstration of our resolve to transform our economy through worthwhile ICT investments…I am very confident that the BPIAJ will bring the requisite thought leadership and collaboration to ensure that we build an industry that we will be proud of, and that will marvel the world.”

The local BPO industry, which currently employs some 11,500 workers, has been identified by the government as a priority sector in its development plan for the country. Global industry watchers have noted that Jamaica is well positioned to address the growing needs of the near-shore market business. Worldwide BPO spending has been increasing, and according to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the global BPO market will grow at an annual rate of 9% and reach about US$1 trillion by 2014.

http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/index.php?action=news&readnews=854

BPO Stakeholders form Association

by

Stakeholders in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have joined forces to establish the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ).

The association, which has been formed with the support of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), was officially launched on September 20 at JAMPRO’s Trafalgar Road offices in New Kingston.

BPOinvolves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of specific business functions (or processes) to a third-party service provider. BPO is typically categorised into back officeoutsourcing,  which includes internal business functions such as human resources,  finance, accounting, and front officeoutsourcing  and customer-related services such as contact centre services.

Chairman of the BPIAJ Steering Committee, Yoni Epstein said the launch marked a milestone in the growth and development of the BPO and ICT industry in Jamaica.

“We are showing the world that we are taking the necessary steps to become the leader in the near shore (sourcing) destination,” he said.

He informed that players in the industry felt it was necessary to form the association “to share best practices; experiences; ideas on how to influence growth; and come together as a unified sector to lobby as an industry, rather than individuals”.

“The association will be working with JAMPRO and the Government to achieve what is necessary to grow the sector so we can create more jobs, which is number one on the Government’s list,  and achieve the development needed to see this industry truly (fulfill) its potential,” he stated.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, welcomed the initiative, noting that it will foster the growth of the BPO sector in Jamaica and is “a tangible demonstration of our resolve to transform our economy through worthwhile ICT investments.”

He further noted that tactically, the BPIAJ will help to bolster the country’s profile in the global investment community, as investors are attracted to structure, coherence and organisation.

“By organising yourselves, you have not only enhanced Jamaica’s reputation in the world, you are bringing even greater definition and structural integrity to ensure that we build a BPO industry that will be a global benchmark,” he said.

“I am very confident that the BPIAJ will bring the requisite thought, leadership and collaboration to ensure that we build an industry that we will be proud of, and that will marvel the world,” the Minister added.

State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson said the formation of the association is a significant development in the growth of the industry, which provides the “greatest opportunity for us for job creation, for economic growth”.

“I think (it) will assist the government in driving the sector …I think working with an association with players, who have a vested interest in the sector, will assist us in ensuring that we remain world class,” he added.

In her remarks, President of JAMPRO, Sancia Bennett Templer, said the agency has placed significant importance in promoting the BPO sector to international and local investors in recent years.

She said the establishment of the association, which is in keeping with international best practices, is crucial to the continued development of the sector that is rapidly becoming one of the largest global industries.

Spending in the BPO sector was estimated at $680 billion last year, increasing by almost 50 percent in four years. Based on International Data Corporation, the growth trajectory for the global industry puts it at a trillion dollars within the next two years.

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/31806