Jamaica Encourages Montego Bay BPOs to Move Inland

The government aims to transform the seafront into a vibrant commercial and tourism hub.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:08am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still life featuring a sleek laptop, stylized office phone, and geometric desk organizer in polished metal and glass, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to represent the abstract concepts of business process outsourcing, technology-driven services, and urban redevelopment.A conceptual still life capturing the intersection of Jamaica's modernizing BPO industry and its ambitions to transform Montego Bay's waterfront into a vibrant commercial hub.Today in Miami

The Jamaican government is pushing BPO companies operating in the Montego Bay Free Zone to relocate their facilities further inland. Officials argue this would benefit both the services sector and the country's tourism industry by freeing up prime coastal real estate for future resort development and other high-value commercial projects.

Why it matters

The proposed plan aims to modernize Jamaica's BPO infrastructure while also unlocking the tourism potential of Montego Bay's valuable oceanfront land. By transitioning BPO operations to purpose-built inland campuses, the government hopes to create a vibrant waterfront district comparable to Miami's Brickell area.

The details

Under the proposal, BPO operators would move to newly developed facilities along the Montego Bay Perimeter Road, offering contemporary amenities like high-speed connectivity and scalable infrastructure tailored for outsourcing. The freed-up seafront land would then be transformed into a mix of retail, business, and premium residential developments, as well as a dedicated performing arts theater showcasing Jamaica's cultural heritage.

  • The plan was outlined by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness in his recent budget presentation.
  • The government intends to gradually relocate the BPO and light industrial activities in the free zone to the new inland facilities.

The players

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness

The Prime Minister of Jamaica who presented the proposal to relocate BPO companies from the Montego Bay Free Zone to inland facilities.

Montego Bay Free Zone

The coastal area in Montego Bay, Jamaica where many BPO companies currently operate.

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What they’re saying

“Our plan is to gradually relocate the BPO and light industrial activities in the free zone to new, purpose-built facilities along the Montego Bay Perimeter Road.”

— Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness

What’s next

The government intends to develop the new inland BPO facilities and transform the Montego Bay seafront into a vibrant commercial and tourism hub over the coming years.

The takeaway

This plan represents Jamaica's strategic effort to modernize its BPO industry while also unlocking the tourism potential of Montego Bay's prime oceanfront real estate. By relocating BPO operations inland, the government aims to create a world-class waterfront district that can compete with destinations like Miami's Brickell area.