KINGSTON, Jamaica – Students from Hillel Academy, Ardenne, Kingston Technical and Immaculate Conception High Schools, accompanied by their teachers, assembled at the launch of the 2nd phase of the NCB-sponsored “Buy Jamaican, Build Jamaica” campaign held recently at the downtown Kingston office of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding between JMA and National Commercial Bank (NCB) to seal the deal.
NCB’s Deputy Group Managing Director, Mr. Dennis Cohen, in his commitment speech to the gathering lauded JMA’s unrelenting contribution to the development of the socio-economic welfare of the country, noting that the Association’s initiatives are closely aligned with NCB’s mantra of “Building a Better Jamaica”.
Mr. Cohen further observed that the campaign’s message of buying Jamaican products has made a significant impact, and added that it has also inspired Jamaicans to realize that opportunities to create wealth existed in Jamaica. “Developing the entrepreneurial spirit from within,” Mr. Cohen said, “is one way in which the Jamaican economy can be further strengthened.”
With the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the two institutions, NCB committed to support the programme by providing funds on a dollar for dollar matching basis. “We fully support the initiative as it inspires, encourages and produces young adults who will one day continue the legacy which the business leaders and association of today have built”, Mr. Cohen said.
President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association Omar Azan delivered a similar message. “We believe in supporting the entrepreneurial spirit, creating businesses in Jamaica rather than just filling out an application and going to get a job somewhere,” Mr. Azan said, “If we don’t have the businesses to provide the jobs, then jobs will not be provided.” Mr. Azan charged that the “business spirit” must be stimulated in young university and High School students and encouraged students to seek an alternative to working for other by developing and presenting their business plans to available funding agencies.
Indeed, high school entrepreneurs are now gearing up to enter the upcoming Nicola Gordon-Rowe Schools’ Entrepreneurship Competition, an initiative which is being introduced for the first time this year by the JMA. The Competition is intended to encourage students to develop sustainable and profit generating business ideas by applying their skills, creativity and team work. The competition is open to Grade 10-13 students and High School business clubs from whom six (6) finalists will be chosen in September to enter the final round of the competition, before the ultimate selection of the first, second and third place winners.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Michael Stern, Guest Speaker at the launch, shared the importance of “Brand Jamaica” and of inculcating an appreciation of Jamaican products overseas, particularly as the country expands into a duty-free EU market. However, the Minister recommended that this appreciation start at home, and that Jamaicans “make fashion” with local products. “It is important to nurture an appreciation locally and to encourage schools, children and families to utilize Jamaican products in creative and innovative ways,” the Minister said. He suggested that, for example, local foods such as cassava, yam or bananas, which are just as nutritionally sound as similar imported products could be prepared in new ways so that more children will find them desirable or palatable.
Following the surprise unveiling of the new campaign poster, students gave their stamp of approval. “I think that the Buy Jamaica, Build Jamaica poster is very unique in that it uses all the Jamaican colours and it incorporates everybody – the young, the old – everybody,” Yanique Fagan of Ardenne High School said. Barrington Clarke also of Ardenne was very eloquent in his praise of the programme. “It is a really a good idea one that will be the springboard for the entrepreneurs,” he said, “the business students in the high schools right now really need something to get them going; and this is a really good incentive to help them to think for themselves and not just go to be a part of another organization but to start an organization others can be a part of.”
