Kingston, Jamaica -15 small and medium local export businesses, which have benefited from capacity building and technical services under JAMPRO’s Export Max Development programme over the past two years have all together generated J $1.4 Billion in export earnings.
The overall export sales of the companies increased by 31% in keeping with the 30% growth target set by JAMPRO at the start of the Export Max Programme in October 2011.
The participating companies, which are mainly manufacturing and agro-processing producers also benefited from over J$100 million in technical assistance and grant funding for upgrading and improving their operations.
In addressing the official closing out ceremony for the Export Max Programme today (Thursday, January 23, 2014) at JAMPRO’s Corporate Office in Kingston, the Agency’s President Diane Edwards announced that new routes were found to market for 11 of the companies, which were able to access 33 new markets and to generate over 50 strong trade leads.
“For trade and export, the global economy is demanding a new order of inter-connected states that is de-constructing and redefining traditional borders. How we plan, build, develop and strategize to export our goods and services to global markets are evolving every day”, noted Ms Edwards. “We will help Jamaica’s exporters to find routes to market, and to gain not only market access, but to achieve market presence”, she added.
Other notable outcomes of the JAMPRO Export Max Programme included the development of business plans and export marketing plans for the companies, as well as capacity building interventions in a wide range of business areas.
Robert Scott, Vice President of Export and Market Development at JAMPRO, affirmed that the trade and investment agency will still work closely with these companies to ensure export development and market penetration. He commented, “JAMPRO’s Export Max programme conclusively demonstrates the export results that can be achieved with a focused multi-disciplinary approach. From this success, we are moving decisively to implement Export Max 11 in the coming months.”
The 15 export businesses were presented with certificates of participation at the official close-out ceremony. They are: A Taste of the Caribbean, Canco Limited, Chocolate Dreams, Central Food Packers, Gray’s Pepper Products Limited, Heather Lane Limited, Jamrow Trading Manufacturing Company Limited, P.A. Benjamin Limited, Perishables Jamaica Ltd, Salada Foods Jamaica, Southern Fruits and Food Limited, Southside Distributors Limited, Sun Island Jamaica, Tijule Company Limited and Wynlee Trading.
Receiving sectional prizes were Southside Distributors for ‘Most Improved Company’, Heather Laine for ‘New Markets Pioneer’ and Wynlee Trading for ‘Highest Growth in Export Sales’.
The Export Max programme received sponsorship support from the Development Bank of Jamaica, Bureau of Standards, the Jamaica Public Service Company and the Exim Bank. In 2012 International Trade Centre (ITC) recognised JAMPRO as the ‘Best Trade Promotion Organization’ in the Small Island Developing States category for the design and the accomplishments of the Export Max programme.
JAMPRO is now looking to embark on Export Max II to continue its focused development work with export-ready Jamaican firms. Said President Edwards; “we are mindful of the fact that sustained success in the export business is a marathon, not a sprint! Development takes time. It requires patience, support and partnership.
This is what JAMPRO wants to be for local export producers through Export Max II, a reliable business partner.
