JAMPRO’s Export Max programme helps Jamaican Companies that aim to increase exports
Kingston, Jamaica – 19 Jamaican manufacturers are receiving export development support through JAMPRO’s export development programme, Export Max II.
The Jamaican companies have been participating in an intensive 3-year capacity building programme, which is expected to increase their export sales by at least 50% by the end of the programme in 2017.
Export Max II includes productivity assessments, corporate mentorship, business coaching, market development as well as marketing and branding training. With these activities, the Agency hopes to exceed the success of the previous programme, which led to an increase in 10 companies’ export sales from US$12.5M in 2010 to US$15.4M in 2012.
CEO of Carita Jamaica Limited, Rita Hilton said her enterprise has been exporting for 30 years to USA, Canada, the UK and the Virgin Islands, but the company wanted to expand their international markets. This need for expansion led to Carita’s participation in Export Max II.
She explained, “Although Carita has been in existence for 33 years, the participation in the programme has enabled us to focus on refining our systems, team building, tracking our performance and increasing our exports. In terms of value, it has been a great sounding board for the steps we have taken to expand our vision, market reach and the innovations we have executed for the company. The gains will be measured in the years to come and the increase in both volumes and value are very tangible.”
Mrs. Hilton also noted that JAMPRO’s assistance in the programme was hands on, and gave direct guidance in improving areas of productivity, efficiency, governance, client relations and costing.
JAMPRO’s Vice President of Export and Market Development, Robert Scott described Export Max as a tool to assist small to medium-sized companies with increasing exports, as the Jamaican government seeks to rapidly grow the country’s economy. He said, “We have many amazing products in Jamaica, but our companies need assistance to get their products to the next level, while creating a sustainable environment for their exports to grow.”
Scott explained that JAMPRO was participating in and leading a number of initiatives to support the export of non-traditional products. He said, “Exports are critical to improving the economy; it creates jobs and brings much needed foreign exchange to Jamaica. We believe that the Export Max programme, our outward missions and our market development activities will assist many companies with achieving more success and, on a national level, build our economy.”
JAMPRO’s Export Max II programme is hosted in partnership with the Development Bank of Jamaica, HEART Trust NTA, Jamaica Productivity Center, Scotiabank and the Bureau of Standards.
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