ST. CATHERINE, Jamaica – A new Export Centre and Business Information Point (ECBIP) in Linstead, St. Catherine (Jamaica) is expected to boost production in the area and increase exports.
The Centre is located at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s(RADA) parish office in Vanity Fair, Linstead, and will bring vital business information services closer home for residents of St Catherine and its environs.
“The services will be a major boost for export and production, as Jamaica seeks to reduce imports and minimize exports” principal of Dinthill Technical High School and guest speaker, Dennis Daley, said at the official opening of the centre, recently.
He said the services would also contribute to developing agriculture as a business and support the grow what we eat campaign.
Project Manager ECBIP, Carole Beckford, who chaired the opening ceremony, said Jamaica has 286 communities which, with proper support and information, have the capacity to re-build the economy.
She said that seven other centres have already been opened across Jamaica.
President of the Jamaica Exporters Association(JEA), Michael Lumsden, speaking at the recent opening of the Export Centre and Business Information Point (ECBIP)
President of the Jamaica Exporters Association, Michael Lumsden, commended the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA), RADA and the Ministry of Agriculture on the partnership initiative, and encouraged persons to make full use of the information-based, business and online services.
These include general export advice, access to incentives, export registration, business planning, management training and financial advice. Persons may also get information on markets and receive training in business planning and management. Users will gain access to international databases, trade contact information and much more.
Manager of the new Export Centre and Business Information Point, Eileen Donaldson, prepares for the cutting of the ribbon declaring the centre officially opened.
The ECBIP falls under the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) designed to improve export performance and competitiveness. The goal is to increase the competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises by providing them with timely and accurate business information.
The project is funded by the European Union and the Government of Jamaica. Basic services will be free of cost, value-added services will attract some cost and JEA members will benefit from preferred rates.
