Destination: JAMAICA
Some US companies prefer not to go wander as far as India when it comes to
outsourcing call center work. These companies often prefer to "nearshore" as opposed to offshore.
The the tiny Caribbean island of Jamaica fits the bill. According to a
local investment promotions agency, IT outsourcing pumps in about 1
billion dollars in the country's economy every year.
In terms of revenues alone, Jamaica leads ten other Caribbean territories
competing as nearshore destination for clients which are mostly US
companies that seek near-shore operations.
Jamaica has 13 service providers with a workforce of about 5,000 people.
The government expects about 3,000 more people to power the outsourcing
sector every year.
Outsourcing in the ICT sector covers a wide range of activities including
software development.
Over the years, Jamaica has specialised in inbound and outbound call
centre services. The country has gained a positive reputation because of
the quality of English spoken in the island and overall work ethic of
Jamaicans.
According to a 2002 Cambridge report, the market for software outsourcing
in the entire Caribbean area is worth about 200 million dollars.
Barely two years later and Jamaica alone makes four times as much - which
indicates the rapid growth of outsourcing in the country.
Indusa Global, a pioneering service provider established in the mid-90s,
forecasted about 3 million dollars in 2002. Its strategy is to bring in skilled
Indians and bring them to Jamaica to run the offshore business.
That strategy has resulted in a new billion dollar industry for Jamaica.
