KINGSTON, Jamaica – With the aim of strengthening the trade relationship between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) will be leading delegation of 15 exporters to Santo Domingo from September 10 -14, 2013.
This marks the first time that JAMPRO will be leading a trade mission to the Dominican Republic and is doing so with the support of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA). This mission will incorporate a business forum hosted by CEDA, site visits, a tour of Expo Cibao Trade Show and individual business meetings scheduled around the show.
Among the Jamaican companies taking part in the mission are Wynlee Trading, Falcon Marketing, Crimson Dawn Manufacturing Co., Paramount Trading, West Indies Gypsum Co., Sun Island Jamaica, Federated Pharmaceutical, Honeykist Apiaries Limited, Jamaica Fiberglass Products (JFP), Edgechem Jamaica, Bio-Tech R& D Institute, GK Foods & Services, Isratech Jamaica and Honey Bun.
Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Dr. José Ares Germán has lent his support to the mission speaking at a briefing session with the exporters on September 5th at JAMPRO’s New Kingston head office. He told local exporters, “We are available 24/7 to give you any support you need.
One of our primary points for government is to assist incoming investments and persons wanting to do business with the Dominican Republic. We are very supportive of integrating Caribbean countries.”
According to JAMPRO’s Manager of Export Promotion, Berletta Henlon Forrester, a key objective of the initiative is to increase trade links between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic as well as to foster a business-conducive platform between companies in both countries. She elaborated, “we are undertaking this mission as an important step in helping our manufactures and exporters realize the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement between CARICOM and the Dominican Republic.”
JAMPRO President Diane Edwards is introduced to Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Dr. José Ares Germán by Vice President of Trade and Business Development at JAMPRO, Robert Scott (center) during a briefing session on trading with the Dominican Republic held with the exporters on September 5, 2013 at the offices of JAMPRO.
Executive Director of the JMA, Imega Breese-McNab, is pleased to be partnering with the trade and investment agency in an effort to reduce the trade gap between the two countries. She said, “Export expansion is a critical component of the country’s growth agenda and this is one of the many steps in which public-private sector partnership is being proactive to take advantage of existing free trade agreements in an effort to improve market access.”
General Manager of Federated Pharmaceutical, Joy Angulu, one of the participating exporters is looking forward to the mission describing it as, “a whole new world of opportunities.” The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean country with a population exceeding 10 million representing a high value market opportunity for Jamaican companies.
Expo Cibao is an annually held multi-sectoral trade show organized by the Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Production that will be taking place from September 10-15 under the theme, ‘for the integration and development of the region.’
