Jamaica BPO, Port Authority bounce back after hurricane
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Jamaica’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and its Port Authority have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the wake of a massive hurricane that swept through the island, according to a report from The Gleaner.
Despite some structural damage, operations at the Montego Bay Free Zone were quickly restored, reflecting strong preparedness and rapid recovery efforts that have impressed both government officials and industry stakeholders.
Swift response and disaster readiness
Gloria Henry, Vice President of the Port Authority responsible for Portmore and BPO operations, stated that prior planning played a crucial role in mitigating the storm’s impact.
“We were as prepared as we could be for this hurricane, bearing in mind that we only had a playbook of a Category-5 hurricane to guide us,” Henry told The Gleaner during a tour of the facility.
She added that business continuity plans were activated well ahead of the storm, with team members on-site to shut down power, protect equipment, and support personnel during the hurricane.
Henry also highlighted the leadership of PAJ President Professor Gordon Shirley in coordinating post-storm recovery.
“Our president, Professor Gordon Shirley, was first onsite because these are Port Authority buildings, so we are making sure that they are up and running, ready for our clients,” she said.
Some clients displaced by minor damage were accommodated promptly, while efforts are underway to rebuild stronger and more efficiently.
Jamaica government lauds BPO sector’s recovery
Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, lauded the Port Authority and BPO operators for ensuring that recovery went beyond merely restoring operations.
“What is good about this is that they are not just looking to get workers back in,” Hill noted.
“They are looking to ensure that what was here is restored better than it was – so that people feel safe and well accommodated, and so that the businesses who rent can continue their operations,” he added.
Hill also emphasized that the swift recovery signals Jamaica’s reliability in the global marketplace.
“The people who are doing their business in Jamaica can say Jamaica went through a Category-5 plus hurricane and came back so quickly, that’s the kind of place we have to have our business,” he said.
GSAJ President Wayne Sinclair echoed these sentiments, praising local firms for minimizing operational downtime. “It’s almost as if nothing happened, and that again speaks to the resilience and competence of our companies in the sector,” Sinclair told The Gleaner.
The Montego Bay Free Zone, home to some of Jamaica’s largest outsourcing firms, remains operational as repairs continue. The experience underscores the importance of robust infrastructure, teamwork, and preparedness—qualities that continue to strengthen Jamaica’s global services industry.
From an industry perspective, this rapid recovery not only reinforces investor confidence but also positions Jamaica as a resilient outsourcing hub capable of sustaining global operations even in the face of severe natural disasters.
