Expansion Management

Is Location the Key to Jamaica's Economic Growth?

June 10, 2015

Jamaica, which sits astride the trade routes in the Windward Passage and has access to the 800 million-person market of North, Central and South America, is in an ideal position to be a fourth node in the international logistics chain.

Adrienne Selko

Jamaica has an ideal location; not just for tourism but for the logistics sector.

“Sitting at the doorway to the newly expanded Panama canal, Jamaica wants to position itself to join Rotterdam, Dubai and Singapore as the fourth node in the international logistics chain,” explains. G. Anthony Hylton, MP, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

Hylton points out that Jamaica compares favorably with the existing three nodes as it sits astride the trade routes in the Windward Passage and has access to the 800 million-person market of North, Central and South America.

This large asset is the cornerstone of the country’s future economic development. To translate the opportunity into concrete plans, the country created a Global Logistics Hub. The Hub will involve multiple modalities through the integration of world-class seaports (handling containers, dry bulk and liquid bulk commodities), airports, special economic zones, free zones, logistics parks, logistics centers, integrated intermodal transport capabilities, supporting infrastructure, telecommunications and trade facilitation mechanisms.

Given the scope of the Hub, which Hylton estimates at between $8-10 billion, the government is turning to public-private partnerships as the source of funding for these projects. In fact the Investment Forum 2015, held in March, was the government’s opportunity to present a number of investment opportunities to the global market.

The major projects up for funding include the expansion of the Port of Kingston; construction of a dry dock at Jackson Bay, Clarendon, installation of bunkering facilities at Cow Bay, St Thomas; construction of cargo and maintenance, repair and operations facility at Vernamfield in Clarendon; and the development of an economic zone at Caymanas with direct road link to the Port of Kingston.

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.