Kingston, Jamaica – Over 500 buyers have been registered by JAMPRO to meet in business matchmaking sessions with Jamaican export producers at Expo Jamaica taking place from April 3 – 6 at the National Arena in Kingston.
International Buyers Coming from 28 Countries Strong Contingents from US, UK and Canada
To date, 308 local buyers have registered, along with 199 international buyers from 28 countries including a large delegation of buyers from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Other countries of note participating this year include buyers from the Czech Republic and from the Far East such as China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Caribbean is also well represented with buyers from Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Martin, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and The Bahamas.
According to JAMPRO President Diane Edwards the agency is pleased to be on board once again with what is widely acknowledged as the Caribbean’s most established trade exposition. Titled the ‘Business Hub of the Caribbean’, Ms. Edwards believes that Expo Jamaica is an excellent forum for real business to happen.
She said, “Expo Jamaica is an opportunity for the world to come to Jamaica and see the best of what we have to offer. They can interact with them ‘up close and personal.’ This is where suppliers can get orders on the floor, showcasing what an excellent business forum the Expo is.”
Held every two years, Expo Jamaica is organised by the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) and the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) in collaboration with JAMPRO, the official buyer recruitment partner. JAMPRO previously coordinated and implemented successful buyer recruitment programmes for the 2008, 2010 and 2012 shows. In 2012 JAMPRO landed 325 buyers, 182 of which were from overseas.
Vice President of Export and Market Development at JAMPRO, Robert Scott said, “JAMPRO has gone all out to play its part in making this the most successful Expo ever. We had a target of 350 buyers and we have significantly exceeded this number with more than a week to spare. This will provide an unprecedented opportunity for Jamaican exporters to meet face to face with buyers from several countries around the world. We are excited.”
Berletta Henlon Forrester, Market Development Manager at JAMPRO, added that Expo Jamaica is an important element of JAMPRO’s efforts to increase exports and local linkages. “We’re executing a carefully crafted buyer recruitment programme aimed at engaging importers, distributors and retailers from across the globe and we are very encouraged by the response. When a buyer makes a decision to come to a trade show in Jamaica, this signals interest in doing business with local producers and exporters.” According to Henlon Forrester JAMPRO is expecting exhibitors to secure trade leads and orders during the expo and will be following up to facilitate sustainable business contracts.
This year the agency will also be offering a comprehensive export services experience at the JAMPRO booth where persons can stop by for information on exporter registration and learn more about the export growth programme Export Max II.
