JA needs to export computer software

Jamaica needs to tap into the multibillion-dollar industry of computer software exportation, which has the ability to generate foreign exchange for the country according to Evan Duggan, executive director of Mona Institute of Business at the University of the West Indies.

“The participation in the software exporting market requires mostly brainpower an asset we have in abundance” Professor Duggan explained during the closing dinner of the Jamaica Computer Society (JCS) BIZTEC conference.

He further stated that with the vulnerability of the tourism and remittance sector due to the world fiscal instability, the government should move to encourage this growing industry, which has reaped tremendous success for developed countries.

The private sector, Professor Duggan argued, “must also extend its social responsibility to include attention to investing in local software development even at the expense of foregoing the convenient commercial- of -the -shelf software”.

Meanwhile, the U.W.I professor issued a challenge to educators to play their role in preparing individuals to contribute to this industry of computer software export.

“Educational institutions must contribute to the development of the requisite human and intellectual capacity which allowed Brazil and Costa Rica to break into the industry” Professor Duggan highlighted.

The three-day conference forms apart of the over 30 year-old organization which first hosted their annual conference in 1976. The event seeks to provide a vehicle for industry specialists and policy makers to exchange views and gain new insights into the application of information, communications technology to enhance governance at corporate and national levels.