^d} Ç z zu - jamaica chamber of commerce … · vol. 3: issue 1 june 2011

Vol. 3: Issue 1 June 2011

1 The Voice of Business

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

American Jewellery Co. Ltd. Chelton Industries Ltd. Clean Alternative Energy

Ltd. Columbus Communications

Jamaica Ltd. (FLOW) Customs Brokers & Freight

Forwarders Association of Jamaica

DEKAL Wireless Jamaica Ltd.

Distant Enterprises Ltd. Guardsman Armoured Ltd. Henlin Gibson Henlin

Attorneys-at-Law Jamaica International

Insurance Company Ltd. (JIIC)

MedServ Jamaica Ltd. Mint Management &

Finance Services Ltd. Mobile Welding &

Engineering Works Ltd. One Kick Battery Ltd.

“Today the Chamber

represents a vibrant

business community,

providing essential

support and services to

meet the diverse range of

needs of its members”

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce believes that the 2011/2012 Budget signals an important step on the road to macroeconomic stability and applauds the certainty created by an extension of the IMF agreement. The Budget also contained important steps to comprehensive tax reform but missing were a critical response to our energy crisis and any real stimulus. The Private Sector must therefore invest, provide jobs and fuel continued growth.

We pledge continued support for the brave men and women of the JCF, ISCF and JDF and commend the efforts being made to disrupt gangs and criminal networks and dismantle garrisons. We urge citizens to support and cooperate with the Police. We mourn with those who have lost loved ones, particularly children, to crime and violence. We remember the seventy (70) Jamaicans who died one year ago during the events in Tivoli Gardens and urge that an enquiry into the circumstances of those deaths be convened. In relation to the ongoing impasse between the Government and the Trade Unions representing Public Sector Workers, we urge balance and restraint and the advancement of the National Interest. Many who seek to dismiss the Workers as unreasonable, greedy and unmindful of that National Interest, have never had to endure a wage freeze or the failure to receive salaries already earned. There is a need for us as a Nation to understand the extent of the sacrifice which we are asking these Workers to make and to be sensitive and responsive to the need for dialogue to make that sacrifice as bearable as is possible in the circumstances of Government’s fiscal constraints. Finally, we will continue to engage the Opposition in frank dialogue designed to ensure that there is consensus on matters of national importance. Milton Samuda, President

Welcome to another

issue of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Newsletter - BiZUPDATE! This medium is intended to keep our Members and the Public advised of the work and efforts of the Chamber on behalf of Jamaica’s private sector. This issue features activities that the JCC has either hosted or has been involved in over the last number of months. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members who participated in these events.



Pictured at right: Milton Samuda, JCC President, accepts a cheque for $250,000 from Rejeanne Campbell, Snr. Marketing Officer at NCB, to assist with the programme. Sharing in the occasion are (from second left) Paul Messam, Centre Coordinator at the Mona High School; Marjorie Seeberan, General Manager, NCB Corporate Banking and Chairman of the JCC Education Committee; Anita Steer, Principal at Mona High School; Stacy-Ann Shaw, Mona High School teacher; and participating students of the programme.

Pictured: Seated L-R are Edward “Teddy” Alexander, CEO, tTech Limited; Sameer Younis, C.D., J.P., JCC Director & Chairman of the JCC Civic Affairs and Inner-city Development Committee; Milton Samuda, JCC President; and Tracy-Ann Darmand-Dunn, Interim Manager – CEMSS, University College of the Caribbean (UCC). Standing behind them are the Graduating students of the 51st Cohort.

JCC Education Committee launches a literacy intervention programme for at-risk youth. The JCC Education Committee, with the support of the NCB Foundation recently launched its pilot computer based Literacy Intervention Programme. The programme is in collaboration with the Mona High School, and is aimed at raising the literacy and numeracy competencies of unattached ‘at-risk’ youths in the

surrounding communities. As a part of the committee’s ongoing support for education, the pilot intends to use the Auto Skills computer software program to boost the literacy and numeracy of the students in an effort to prepare them for matriculation into the HEART Trust/NTA program. The one-year pilot programme will see 24 students engaged in remedial literacy and numeracy classes, as well as skills training for four days

each week, including Saturdays. The programme also features summer camps and math workshops. Apart from the NCB Foundation, the other sponsors of the programme are the National Commercial Bank, JP Tropical Foods, Coldfield Juices, Caribbean Broilers Ltd., Ammar and Azar Ltd., F.W. Woolworth and Co. Ltd., and Novelty Trading Company Limited.

TRADE UPDATE:

The 51st Cohort of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Inner-city Youth Leadership Training Programme Graduation Ceremony was held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at the JCC Civic Affairs Office, 7-8 East Parade, Kingston. Twenty one participants including inner-city residents, Police Officers from the Island Special Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force graduated from the programme. The Guest Speaker for the event was Edward “Teddy” Alexander, CEO of tTech Limited, a member of the JCC. Also present were Sameer Younis C.D., J.P., JCC Director and Chairman of the JCC Civic Affairs and Inner-city Development Committees, and JCC President Milton Samuda who brought the Greetings on behalf of the JCC Board of Directors. Three participants received awards for their outstanding achievements: Peppito Bryan, Carmeil Boothe and Woman Special Sergeant Julene Stewart. Peppito Bryan and Carmeil Boothe received scholarships from the University College of the Caribbean (UCC), and W/Spl./Sgt. Julene Stewart received a Plaque from the JCC for “Top Cop.”



The Quarterly Meeting of the JCC Parish Chambers of Commerce & Industry on May 28, 2011 was hosted by the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Negril Hills Golf Club. Pictured at left: The Parish Chamber Presidents and guests engaged in lively discussions as it relates to the various Parish Chamber’s activities.

Trade Facilitation and Liaison Desk on Port of Spain. Trade Facilitation for Jamaican Goods and Services entering the Trinidad & Tobago market is to receive a significant boost, as the JCC and the Bermudez Group in Trinidad collaborate on establishing a Trade Desk in Port of Spain to be funded by the Bermudez Group. The JCC/Bermudez coalition is committed to overcoming more easily, any and all hurdles to growing the market in Trinidad. Both liaison and facilitation are expected to improve through enabling activities including; scheduling and routing visitors to potential customers, provide information on current trade laws dealing with import procedures, and providing communication facilities for Internet and telephone availability. This constructive initiative is fully supported by the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers Association. The JCC will coordinate arrangements with the Travel Desk for future visitors to Trinidad on business dealing with both Jamaican merchandise and services.

Foreign Trade Advisory Council officially launched… On June 2, 2011 a historic development in public/private sector collaboration took place. At a launch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Kenneth Baugh, MP, officially launched the Foreign Trade Advisory Council

(FTAC), a mechanism by which the government and private sector will collaborate on trade policy and initiatives. The council will comprise the representatives of major exporters and officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Anthony Gomes, JCC Director and Chairman of the JCC International Trade Committee, spearheaded the discussions which resulted in the formation of the FTAC. Pictured below L-R: Her Excellency Ambassador Evadne Coye, CD, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Dr. the Honourable Kenneth Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Milton Samuda, JCC President; and Anthony Gomes, JCC Director and Chairman of the JCC International Trade Committee.



At the JCC Quarterly Parish Chambers Luncheon Forum which was held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the Negril Hills Golf Club in Sheffield Westmoreland, Phillip Paulwell, MP, Opposition Spokesperson Energy, Science and Technology (pictured third from left) gave a presentation entitled ‘The Cost of Energy – “A Major Factor Affecting the Viability of Business”, The search for alternate, sustainable energy sources’. Also present (pictured left to right) were Nigel Myrie, President Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Milton Samuda, JCC President; and the Hon. Owen D. Sinclair, Custos of Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland.

MEMBERS are encouraged to GET INVOLVED with the work of the JCC. Contact any member of the Executive,

Board of Directors or the Secretariat, to indicate your interest to volunteer and participate in one of JCCs many

Committees, whose work is a benefit to all members and the business community at large!

The JCC MSME Committee hosted a Financial Forum for SMEs under the theme “New, Innovative and Practical Financial Solutions for SMEs” on May 19, 2011 at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel. Partners on the Forum were: Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA); Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA); MSME Alliance and Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ). Pictured above L-R: Charles Brown, Chairman of the JCC MSME Committee and Milton Samuda, JCC President.

The Sponsors of the JCC MSME Financial Forum for SMEs were EXIM Bank, Scotiabank and First Global Bank. Presentations were given by L-R: Valerie Crawford, Manager, Trade Finance & Risk Management Division, EXIM Bank Jamaica; Asquith Brown, Product and Portfolio Manager, Small Business Banking, Scotiabank Jamaica Limited; and Denise Williams, Product Manager – Liabilities, Credit Cards and e-Business Products, First Global Bank.



Keith Collister, JCC Director and Chairman of the JCC Economic Affairs and Taxation Committee addressed the audience at the 2011/12 Post Budget Forum on May 13, 2011, which was hosted by the JCC in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Scotia Bank Group. The Keynote Speaker was Ancile E. Brewster (inset), Country Representative and Head of the International Development Bank (IDB), and presentations were also given by Jason Morris, Assistant Vice President, Scotia Investments; Brian Denning, Partner, Tax & Advisory Service and Paul Cobourne, Senior Manager, Tax Dept. both from PricewaterhouseCoopers; and Christopher Levy, President of the Jamaica Broilers Group Limited.

MedServ Jamaica Limited made a presentation at the JCC Board of Directors Meeting on May 17, 2011. Milton Samuda, JCC President greets Duane Boise, President and COO, MedServ, while John Linss, CEO, MedServ and Warren McDonald, JCC 2nd VP look on.

Putting heads together… Chairman of the JCC Customs, Tariff & Port Users Committee Lazarus Bucknor in deep conversation with Hon. Danville Walker, Commissioner of Customs, who was the Guest Presenter at the JCC Customs 2011/12 Revenue Initiative & Strategies Forum on May 18, 2011 which was held at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel.

Creditinfo Jamaica in collaboration with the JCC hosted a Credit Bureau Reporting & Risk Assessment Seminar on May 5, 2011 at the Terra Nova Hotel. The half day seminar informed the Jamaican market of the possibilities and benefits that exist with the establishment of a Credit Bureau. JCC Director Grace Burnett gave the Welcome and Opening Remarks, and presentations were given by Creditinfo Group’s international specialists from across Europe: Reynir Gretarsson, Radek Bittner, Hakon Stefansson, Martin Koubik, and Paul Randall.



Howard Mitchell, Chairman of the National Housing Trust enjoys conversation with Milton Samuda, JCC President and Francis Kennedy, JCC 1st VP, after his presentation at the JCC Board of Directors Meeting on April 19, 2011.

For information on upcoming events, please contact: JCC Secretariat Shop # 13 – 15 Tel: (876) 922-0150-1 / (876) 922-4857 UDC Office Centre Bldg. Fax: (876) 924-9056 12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston Email: [email protected] / www.jamaicachamber.org.jm

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Your comments and feedback are important to us. Tell us what you think of the Newsletter. Whatever your opinion or viewpoint…let us hear from you. Editor: Maria McLaughlin JCC Business Administrator Email: [email protected]

This issue of the Newsletter BiZUPDATE is sponsored by…

The Chamber likes to offer its members an opportunity to sponsor the Newsletter. In return we offer an acknowledgement and ad space in the publication.

The Newsletter is circulated to Members, business houses and other organizations that have an

interest in the JCC.

This is a great opportunity to promote and feature your company to well over 200 companies and organizations in Jamaica.

If your company is interested in sponsoring a future BiZUPDATE please contact Maria McLaughlin at the JCC Secretariat Tel: 922-0150-1.

Cartoon compliments of The Gleaner Newspaper Tuesday, June 28, 2011.

mailto:[email protected]

^d} Ç z zu - jamaica chamber of commerce … · vol. 3: issue 1 june 2011

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