Jamaican tech and outsourcing companies to benefit from UK Trade Partnerships Programme

Empowering Jamaican enterprises 

The International Trade Centre (ITC) will offer expert guidance to technology and outsourcing companies helping them better compete in the United Kingdom. The programme will focus on information technology and business process outsourcing sectors. 

As part of the programme’s launch, a visit to local tech businesses explored how a targeted initiative like UKTP can strengthen these sectors. Additionally, a specialized training session, titled ‘Maximizing business outcomes at technology events’ was conducted by an ITC expert for 21 local participants. The workshop aimed to prepare tech and outsourcing companies for business missions to London, scheduled for February and March 2025. 

These efforts were designed to accelerate business development, expand export opportunities, and equip enterprises with the necessary tools and knowledge to achieve international success. 

ITC's on-the-ground engagement 

During the visit, Escipión Oliviera-Gómez, Director of the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions at the ITC, emphasized how Jamaica's tech and outsourcing businesses can drive economic growth, foster digital transformation, and create jobs in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. These industries play a vital role in boosting export revenues and positioning Jamaica as a competitive player in the global market. 

Jamaican companies benefit from preferential trade rules with the United Kingdom through an economic partnership agreement with the Caribbean Forum. 

The highlight of the visit was a networking event hosted by British High Commissioner Judith Slater, which underscored the growing trade ties between Jamaica and the United Kingdom. The event featured a keynote speech by Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment, & Commerce of Jamaica. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in expanding opportunities for Jamaican businesses in the highly competitive British digital and outsourcing markets. 

Strengthening Jamaica-UK trade relations 

This programme represents a strategic effort to leverage existing trade agreements and create new opportunities for Jamaican enterprises in the United Kingdom. By focusing on digital innovation and international trade, the initiative aims to significantly enhance the global competitiveness of Jamaica’s information technology and outsourcing sectors. 

About United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) 

UKTP is implemented by the International Trade Centre and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ITC is the joint trade and development agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. It supports small and medium-sized enterprises to trade internationally and attract investment. UKTP aims to increase trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) by maximizing the benefits of UK and EU Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme. 

UKTP implements various trade promotion and capacity building activities around the world at different stages of the value chain. UKTP works in partnership with government agencies, private sector organizations, public sector institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and other local stakeholders.