Textiles Industry Infrastructure Jamaica is one of the few locations in the world that boasts a completely digitized national telephone network. The country also has s sophisticated digital teleport, the most advanced in the Region, a joint-venture between AT&T, Cable and Wireless of the United Kingdom, and Telecommunications of Jamaica. The Montego Bay Digiport offers an extensive range of services requiring high speed data and voice connections with the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom. A wide range of digital based telephone services are also available. These include basic services such as telex and data facsimile (fax), video-conferencing and electronic mail. Cellular phone service is available throughout the country. For international services, Jamaica is linked to the rest of the world by both satellite earth station and fibre optic submarine cables. These facilitate subscriber direct dialing with most countries. The strategically located port of Kingston has one of the best protected natural harbours in the world. It is there that Jamaica has the Caribbean's finest fully containerized transshipment terminal with over 600 vessel calls annually from companies in North America, Europe and Asia. The port has nine break-bulk wharves, two modern cruise ship piers as well as roll on, roll off facilities. In 1993 there were over 200,000 container moves, and an additional 371.6 square meters of berthing space is being constructed. Jamaica is poised to become the hub of the Caribbean Basin. Shipping in Jamaica is facilitated by wharves in several harbours around the island. There are also several smaller docks for shipment of oil, cement, gypsum, and bauxite. The island's strategic location provides easy access to North, Central and South America, Europe and the rest of the Caribbean. Flying times are 4 hours 20 minutes to New York; 8 hours to London, with a short hop to continental Europe. Two international airports -- the Norman Manley International in Kingston and the Sangster International in Montego Bay -- are equipped to handle large passenger and cargo airlines. Jamaica is served by 16 international airlines, among them American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Aeroflot, BWIA International and Air Jamaica. The country's international air service is complemented by a largely domestic carrier Trans Jamaica Airline, as well as private air-taxi services. ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES The country has an installed capacity of 568 MW distributed across four thermal power stations and eight hydro-power stations. This is currently supplied by the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited which is owned by the Government, and will soon be privatized. New investment of more than US$250 million from the overseas private sector is creating a further 174 MW of generating capacity over the next two years. This reflects the Government's decision to divest the power sector, including the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited. A further 360 MW of generating capacity is required by the year 2002. Jamaica intends to obtain this capacity from private sector development. Water is supplied islandwide by the National Water Commission. Piped water is chlorinated and fluoridated, and our water quality reflects the highest international standards. Transportation islandwide is relatively easy with over 14,483 Km (9,000 miles) of primary and secondary roads. Public transportation is supplied by a network of private operators who provide bus service on designated routes within and between major cities. Taxi cab companies also operate in the Kingston Metropolitan Area, Montego Bay and rural towns. This is an area that will require significant private sector investment. Rail transport is to be privatized. The company has 341 Km of track of which 207 Km are serviceable and concentrated on the Kingston - Montego Bay route. This route reaches 70% of the population and the economy. The company also owns 1,133 hectares of land, much of it prime, and enjoys several other unique advantages that will enhance its future viability.
Courtesy JAMPRO |
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