Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell says the Government will be intensifying efforts to attract more ICT firms to Jamaica.

Paulwell says Jamaica has lost a lot of ground to Asian countries and the time has come for the country to reclaim its status as a dominant force in ICT to grow the economy and create jobs for Jamaicans.

As part of this initiative, he says his ministry will be targeting United States companies that are now operating in countries such as India and the Philippines.

The technology minister says part of the plan is to visit some of these countries and encourage the operators of ICT firms to come to Jamaica and set up operations. It is estimated that just over 17,000 Jamaicans are employed in the local ICT sector and Paulwell says the aim is to significantly increase that number.

The minister was speaking at a 'Power Brokers' luncheon hosted by the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry in St James last Thursday.