The Tribune

Jamaica's trade and investment promotions agency is bringing 18 exporters to the Bahamas on a June 30 trade mission.

The visit is part of JAMPRO's wider strategy to develop Caribbean export markets for Jamaican companies, with visits also planned to Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. The tour starts in the former on June 18, and finishes in the Bahamas.

The Caribbean Market Mission is part of JAMPRO's export development programme, Export Max. The companies will have scheduled business meetings with buyers to promote their products, execute trade visits to key retail outlets, and have discussions with private and public sector partners to garner market intelligence. Export Max II, a three-year capacity building and market penetration support initiative, aims to increase the exports of participating Jamaican companies by 50 per cent.

Robert Scott, JAMPRO's vice-president of export and market development, said the programme has already provided development services for the enrolled companies to improve their strategic planning, marketing, labelling and productivity. He explained that the initiative is now turning to the market penetration phase with the Caribbean Mission.

"At the commencement of the Export Max programme, the participants highlighted the Caribbean region as a key target market of interest, as the people of this region share similar tastes and consumption patterns," Mr Scott said.

"Based on our assessments and prior partnerships, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas will be the locations for companies to promote Brand Jamaica, and reap the benefit of their development for the past two years.

"We are looking forward to strengthening our Caribbean partnerships, and will be working assiduously to ensure that companies learn about what is in demand in these markets. Our aim is to build relationships locally as we increase trade. I am pleased that with the support of our partners; we will make this initiative a reality and hopefully boost Caribbean trade."

Mr Scott added: "Having visited the various markets, it is very clear that there is significant interest in doing business with Jamaican firms. In particular, Trinidadian firms are looking forward to the potential collaboration with Jamaican-owned businesses."

Edison Sumner, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation's (BCCEC) chief executive, welcomed the mission as an opportunity to strengthen trade ties between Jamaica and this nation.

He said: "The Bahamas has strong trade ties with Jamaica, and continues to fortify the relationship by facilitating mutually profitable partnerships between exporters from both countries.

"Several times last year, the Chamber was engaged in missions to Jamaica to advance some of the relationships between the Bahamas and Jamaica; particularly in the areas of the establishment of standards and renewable energy.

"Having launched the Bahamas Trade Information Portal in April, a collaboration between the Chamber and the Ministry of Financial Services designed to link foreign importers to Bahamian exporters, we now welcome JAMPRO to Nassau and look forward to very active engagements between all those involved."

The Caribbean Market Mission's participating companies are Export Max enterprises Crimson Dawn Manufacturing Company; Dawson Trading Company; R & D Commercial Holdings (formerly EG Wellness Brands); Free Form Factory; Grace Agro-Processors (Division of GK Foods & Services); Jamaica Drip Irrigation; Tripple C Manufacturing; Very Amazing Products (VAP); Island Products Manufacturing Company; Boss Furniture Company; Carita Jamaica; Country House Products; Country Traders and JABEXCO Limited - Best Dressed Foods. Manufacturers King Pepper Products; Southside Distributors and AG Chem Plant will also participate on select missions.

The Export Max programme is executed in partnership with the Development Bank of Jamaica, The HEART Trust/NTA, Scotiabank and the Jamaica Productivity Centre. JAMPRO is an agency of the Jamaican government's Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.