JSEZA boss says Westmoreland primed for new development

WESTERN BUREAU:

With sugar production no longer at the forefront, Kelli-Dawn Hamilton, CEO of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) says the parish of Westmoreland is now primed for development that will foster economic growth and create sustainable jobs through the creation of economic zones and new industries.

Hamilton, an investment facilitator, who has developed national strategic developmental plans and strategies for both public and private sector entities, resulting in the attainment of national and organisational goals on a global level, expressed her view in an interview with The Gleaner.

“This parish, we believe, is ripe for development and growth, and the chamber president (Moses Chybar) told me that they have the lands,” said Hamilton, who was in the parish for the opening of the new Westmoreland branch of Teleperformance in Savanna-la-Mar, which is expected to employ more than 700 young people.

“For us, we want to see more economic zones developing. We want to see different industries developing as well,” said Hamilton, noting that Teleperformance, a global giant in the business processing outsourcing (BPO) sector, is putting its footprint on the parish as a mark of their commitment.

The nine-year-old JSEZA is a body corporate of the Government of Jamaica under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. It is tasked to facilitate the development of and promotion of investments in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Jamaica.

Chybar, president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), said the opening of Teleperformance in Savanna-la-Mar is a beacon of hope for the parish and reflects the great potentials that exist in Westmoreland.

“The business community wholeheartedly welcomes the opening of Teleperformance, not only does it signal that people are recognising the potential here in the west, especially here in Westmoreland, but it will also stimulate many other activities, including the building out of other services,” said Chybar.

“Looking at what Teleperformance is bringing, I believe they are expected to employ around 700 people, that in itself will create other opportunities, not just directly from being employed, but there will be the need for housing, more restaurants, transportation and maybe more classrooms at our schools,” said Chybar.

The sugar industry was the economic backbone of Westmoreland for many decades, but within the last 15 years, it has buckled under a myriad challenges, which has resulted in more than 120 small farmers walking away from the industry.

Chybar is in full agreement with Hamilton’s view that Westmoreland is ripe for development, noting that Teleperformance’s US$7.5-million investment was much-needed.

“For many years, Westmoreland has not experienced much in any sizable investment, and in my opinion, this has to be, since sugar, the largest single employer of labour in this parish, and that is significant,” said Chybar. “Add Teleperformance investment here to the Bamboo factory, and we can say that Westmoreland is opening up many doors of opportunity and it is a good time for persons who are looking to invest to take a closure look at our parish because in the next few years, commerce is going to be moving at a brisk pace.”

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