Jamaica woos investments from India’s IT, creative cos

KINGSTON: The next Bollywood blockbuster might be heading for this West Indies island, or a call centre executive sitting in Montego Bay just might answer the next time you call your bank.

India is the new buzzword for Jamaica. And, riding on the success of the high profile visit of the Jamaica tourism board’s brand ambassador, cricket legend Courtney Walsh, a business delegation of Jampro —Jamaica’s trade and investment facilitation agency — is in India to garner investment.

“This is the first ever trip to India undertaken by JAMPRO,” said Jason Hall, business director of the delegation. “The aim of this trip is to build on the existing bilateral agreements and explore the full gamut of possibilities.” Jampro has defined information communications technology (ICT) and creative industries as the two key areas they would like to focus on during their 10-day visit.

The eight-member group will tour New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The group will meet key Indian officials to review bilateral agreements and establish cultural exchange events to introduce Jamaican music, fashion and dance to India.

India’s fast growing economy, currently pegged at 8% annually, the unprecedented rise in foreign direct investment, which stood at $1.46bn in ’05, and India Inc’s plans to expand globally have made the country a viable option to explore investment opportunities in Jamaica. According to Jampro, this initiative will be part of a preliminary thrust to establish contact, introduce Jamaica as an investment destination and to provide a first hand insight into the operations of the targeted companies in the various sectors.

Another aim of the visit is to showcase the country to the Indian film industry, believed to be the largest in the world.