Download - Jamaica trade desk news issue 1 october 2012
“Jamaica Trade Desk News” Contact us at (868) 675-8862 Ext. 242 Email: [email protected]
I S S U E 1 - O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 M O N T H L Y P U B L I C A T I O N
HIG HL IG HT ON
TRADE DESK :
Focus on Trade Desk
activities
Trade Desk Officer
Visit to Jamaica
Advocating for the
improvement of the
CFDD
I NSI D E TH I S
I SSU E :
TTMA Events
Forum on Competi-
tiveness 3
Seminar on financ-
ing opportunities for SME development
4
Jamaica Updates
JMA 44th Annual
Awards Banquet 5
6th International
Food Safety Confer-ence
6
Focus on Jamaica
Manufacturer of the year 2011: Wisynco
7
Kingston sales blitz
in Trinidad
7
CARICOM Corner
« One from ten revi-
sited »
8
Message from
TTMA
8
Trade Facilitation Desk: building a new trade bridge
between T&T and Jamaica...
Since May 1st, 2012, a Trade Facilitation Desk has
been operational, based at the Trinidad and To-
bago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA). The
objective of this initiative is to approach pragmati-
cally the trade issues plaguing the relationship be-
tween T&T and Jamaica, through the offering of
support services to aggrieved parties, and finding solutions at the ground level. The Trade Desk was
also established to tackle existing and apparent non-
tariff barriers to trade, in order to improve market
access, and promote a free and fair trading environ-
ment in T&T for Jamaican exporters, among other
countries.
Its creation was driven by the foresight of the Ber-
mudez Group Ltd (BGL), which has also been piv-
otal in providing the financial support for the pro-
ject for the initial period of a year. This venture is
a joint partnership between BGL, TTMA, the
Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry & Com-
merce, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and
all signatories to the MOU governing its operation.
Subsequently, the Trade Desk has received techni-cal support from the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Asso-
ciation and the Jamaica Exporters’ Association, and
strong encouragements from the American Chamber
of Commerce of Jamaica, the Jamaica Promotions
Corporations, the Ministry of Industry, Investment
and Commerce, as well as the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Foreign Trade of
Jamaica.
Despite receiving govern-
ment’s endorsement, the ini-
tiative remains a solely pri-
vate sector affair that has
emerged to improve and
increase the volume of trade
in goods and services be-
tween Jamaica and T&T.
In June and September 2012,
several consultations were
undertaken in Kingston by
the Trade Desk Officer, Mrs.
Naïka Pichi-Ayers and
TTMA Director/ BGL Group
Corporate Relations Man-
ager, Mr. Paul Quesnel.
These consultations were held with current and prospective exporters of
goods and services to T&T, BSO’s and represen-
tatives of public sector institutions that play key
roles in the export process. The main goal was to
promote the Trade Facilitation Desk and give a
better understanding of its role and various mis-
sions. It was designed as a key point to facilitate
business opportunities, and ease up trade chal-
lenges, through encouraging positive and pro-
ductive dialogue among the Jamaican and T&T
business communities.
The Trade Facilitation Desk is a proactive and
practical step in the direction of assisting Jamai-
can manufacturers and exporters who wish to
access the T&T market by:
informing about import regulations and
entry requirements;
representing their interests in T&T;
facilitating networking and business match-
making with local companies;
addressing major areas of concerns to the
relevant trade and regulatory institutions.
It is clear that the level of interest showed by Ja-
maican businesses has been satisfying and augurs
well for the achievement of tangible results in the
medium term.
From left to right: Mrs. Thasya Chin-Fletcher- JCC Membership Officer, Mr. Milton Samuda-
JCC Immediate Past President & JAMPRO Chairman, Mrs. Naïka Pichi-Ayers– TTMA JA Trade
Desk Officer, Senator Anthony Hylton- Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce and Mr.
Paul Quesnel- TTMA Director & BGL Group Corporate Relations Manager, greeted each other
at the Minister’s Offices.
Trade Desk officer visit to Kingston... From September 24th -28th, 2012, Mrs.
Pichi-Ayers and Mr. Quesnel visited sev-
eral Jamaican factories, to gain better in-
sight into the quality of processes, produc-
tion systems and capacities, as well as to engage with the management and members
of staff with a view to enhancing commu-
nication, and thereby building stronger
industry relationships.
The factory tour was a great exposure in which seven
Jamaican manufacturing companies were visited.
These visits highlighted the quality, safety and effi-
ciency of these companies’ products as their top prior-
ity, as well as, the rigorous policies that drive every
step of product design, manufacturing and marketing
across their businesses.
It was also a good opportunity to facilitate discussions with private-public sector entities, to provide a greater
understanding and appreciation for the Trade Facilita-
tion Desk, as we look forward to a multi-pronged
approach for continuous and sustainable collabora-
tion between all major players. During the various
consultations with the Ministry of Industry, Investment
and Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisher-
ies, the Jamaica Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commis-
sion, as well as the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, it was
agreed that information sharing should be the main fo-cus, as all institutions were looking forward to strength-
ening synergies among Jamaican stakeholders to address
common issues. Stakeholders agreed that the Trade
Desk has already begun to facilitate effective communi-
cation across Jamaican public-private sectors, as well as
increasing awareness. It was also mentioned that the
initiative could be expanded to include Barbados, as
the Trade Desk Officer has been strongly involved in
two matters recently. Jamaican companies should take
the opportunity to utilize the services provided by the
Trade Desk to do more matchmaking and make a sig-
nificant change to trade.
The mission to Jamaica clearly showed the need to en-
courage networking between T&T and Jamaican institu-
tions, organizations and businesses to promote a more
positive image of trading in the Caribbean.
Advocating for the improvement of the CFDD... The Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division (CFDD)
under the Ministry of Health is primarily responsible
for the administration and the enforcement of the
Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and the Pesti-
cides and Toxic Chemicals Act and Regulations. It is
T&T’s main regulatory body that monitors all as-
pects of the importation, manufacture, storage, dis-
tribution, sale, fraud and deception in labeling and
marketing, as well as disposal of food and drugs.
Any individual, business or broker wishing to import,
manufacture or sell food or drugs in TT must have
them inspected and approved by the CFDD prior to
importation, manufacture or sale. This process was
established to ensure the quality, purity, safety and
suitability of food and drugs imported or manufac-
tured in TT.
Despite the significant role of this division, local
manufacturers, as well as businesses across the region,
particularly in Jamaica and Barbados have voiced
their displeasure through the media and to their re-
spective governmental institutions, complaining about
perceived unfair and unjustified treatments of their
goods. The lack of transparency and consistent stan-
dardization processes, as well as staff shortage, inade-
quate equipments, and unpredictable timeframes in the
CFDD’s operation, as well as its poor functioning,
have resulted in mounting frustration, lengthy and frequent delays, cost overruns, and negative fallout
from other CARICOM counterparts. In fact, several
products from the region have been deemed non-
compliant with labeling, packaging and content re-
quirements under the T&T regulations, however, they
have not encountered any difficulties to be sold across
the region, and internationally. It is clear that the CFDD
continues to acts as an impediment to trade, instead of
functioning as a facilitative and regulatory agency to the
local, regional and international manufacturers. It con-tinues to undermine the efforts of T&T businesses, who
wish to do profitable business with CARICOM Member
States.
In an effort to improve the situation, the TTMA has been
lobbying the Government over the past years, by ad-
dressing consistently all these issues, in which the pri-
vate sector is seeking an urgent need for updated TT’s
legislation, as a quick response to remove the perceived
lack of credibility and accountability of the CFDD, and
by extension of the Republic of T&T. The Jamaica-TT
Trade Facilitation Desk has also been assisting the TTMA, in advocating an improvement of the protocol
and procedures of the CFDD, in an effort to encourage
trade and promote T&T as an open, fair and free market.
The lobbying efforts undertaken with the Ministry of
Trade, Industry and Investment and other business sup-
port organizations have led to several consultations over
the past two months, to ensure efficient performance of
the regulatory agency’s functions and operations,
within the spirit of the law, with respect to the intent of
CARICOM. The Trade Desk has also recommended the creation of
an “Exporters’ manual with an emphasis on regula-
tory requirements” by the CFDD, to better facilitate
trade into T&T. This manual is presently being devel-
oped and will be shared with stakeholders before the end
of 2012.
P A G E 2
P A G E 3
“ J A M A I C A T R A D E D E S K N E W S ”
Forum on Corporate Innovation & Internationalization....
How does Public Policy promote this?
TTMA EVENTS
The theme of the Trinidad and To-
bago Budget 2012-2013 is "Stimulating Growth, Generating
Prosperity,” and several measures
were outlined aimed at addressing
some of the pressing concerns affect-
ing this country's international com-
petitiveness, including efficiency of
Government institutions and ser-
vices and labour.
Several international agencies such as
the International Monetary Fund, the
World Bank and the United Nations
Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean, have
urged Governments to focus on pro-
ductivity, innovation and reduction of
public debt, in order to stimulate
growth and improve competitive-
ness.
On Tuesday 16th October 2012, the Trinidad and To-
bago Manufacturers’ Association hosted a panel dis-
cussion on the factors affecting this country’s competi-
tiveness at the Hilton Trinidad. Panellists included the
Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development, Dr.
Bhoe Tewarie, Senator Vasant Bharath, Minister of
Trade, Industry and Investment, Senator Larry Howai,
Minister of Finance and the Economy, Mr. Chandricka
Seeterram, Chairman, Council for Competitiveness &
Innovation Mrs. Indera Sagewan-Alli, Executive Direc-
tor of the Caribbean Competitiveness Centre and Mrs. Marla Dukharan, Group Economist, RBC Financial.
In welcoming attendees, TTMA President Dominic
Hadeed stated that the forum sought to answer the
question: How can public policy be effective in
promoting innovation, competitiveness and interna-
tionalization? He noted that these matters require
long term planning, transparency, accountability
and the need to make tough and unpopular leader-
ship decisions, within a short term political cycle.
Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie noted that pro-
ductivity was at the heart of competitiveness and
creativity was at the heart of innovation. He stressed
that the business community must pay close attention
to strengthening their business environment by endeav-
ouring to implement a variety of initiatives. “Adopt
new technologies, upgrade training at all levels, im-
prove poor physical environments, develop ideal work
ethics and adapt best practise in leadership,” he ex-
plained.
From left to right: Mr. Dominic Hadeed– TTMA President, Mrs. Natasha Mustapha-Scott–
TTMA CEO, Minister of Planning & Sustainable Development, Dr. Bhoe Tewarie, Senator
Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment, and Senator Larry Howai, Minister
of Finance & the Economy during the Competitiveness Forum..
Minister Bharath's presentation focused on establishing
an enabling business environment by removing the
impediments to trade, improving ease of doing busi-
ness, encouraging greater investment in the public and private sectors. Senator Bharath stated that “the Minis-
try of Trade, Industry and Investment has set the bold
target of placing Trinidad and Tobago in the top ten
countries in the world to do business.”
The Minister spoke at length about the close collabora-
tions among agencies to address the areas of the number
of days to register a business; the number of days to ob-
tain a construction permit; the number of days to obtain
commercial connections for water and electricity; and
making Customs and Excise an easier place to do busi-
ness.
Mr. Seeterram of the Council for Competitiveness and
Innovation stated that the top 20 exporting companies in
the country outside of the energy sector have been iden-
tified, and the Council has strategically begun to work
with each of those companies to see the extent to which
it can expand their export capability. Mrs. Sagewan-Alli
of the Caribbean Centre for Competitiveness focussed
her discussion on “Building Competitive Industries –
Moving beyond talk to implementation”. She noted that
competitiveness is key to achieving sustainable develop-
ment. She stressed the need to build a strong private
sector that is able to innovate and export aggressively
to international markets, and create sustainable em-
ployment.
For more information, kindly contact Ms. Julie Ramlal
(Manager– Marketing, Communications & Events)
Financing opportunities for SME development
In order to ensure that its membership is well-informed
about financing opportunities available outside of the
formal banking structure, the TTMA hosted a seminar
on 18th October, 2012 titled “Financing Opportunities
for SME Development.” Fifty companies attended this session with presentations on four very different ap-
proaches to financing.
Benefits of Going Public on the TTSE
Wain Iton, Chief Executive Officer, T&T Stock Ex-change (TTSE) presented on the local stock exchange,
specifically highlighting that the potential for SMEs to
raise capital on the stock market was a viable and real-
istic option for T&T businesses. He highlighted that a
company’s debt/equity ratio and net worth will im-
prove, and future financing alternatives will be en-
hanced by switching from a private to publicly traded
company.
The presentation was even more insightful, as he in-
formed that the creation of the SME market in T&T,
offered SMEs a 60% tax incentive.
Ratings you can depend on – CariCRIS
Wayne Dass, CEO, CariCRIS offered a presentation
emphasizing CariCRIS’ aim for the growth and devel-
opment of the SME sector by enhancing the ability of firms to access appropriately-priced financing. CariC-
RIS also aims to assist banks to set lending rates to
SMEs based on a more structured and scientific meas-
urement of risk
SMEs may rely on credit ratings as an independent
verification of their own credit-worthiness and the re-
sultant value of the instruments they may be able to
acquire. Credit ratings are used by investors, issuers,
investment banks, broker-dealers, and governments.
For investors, credit rating agencies increase the range
of investment alternatives and provide independent,
easy-to-use measurements of relative credit risk; this generally increases the efficiency of the market, lower-
ing costs for both borrowers and lenders.
FINPYME Credit FINPYME Credit is a reliable source of financing for
eligible SMEs from the Inter-American Investment
Corporation (IIC). This type of financing is available in
the form of standardized small loans in amounts rang-
ing from US$100,000 to US$600,000, with an expe-
dited internal approval process and a potential inter-
est rate of 5% to 7%. FINPYME Credit loans can be
used for a variety of business purposes, including
investments in working capital and fixed assets.
Direct Assistance for your company
Kirk Brown, Senior Grant Advisor, Caribbean Ex-
port Development Agency presented on the grant
funding offered by this agency through their Direct
Assistance Grant Scheme. It is a funding facility spe-
cifically designed to provide financial assistance to
legally registered businesses with the potential to
export their products and services. The programme
provides reimbursement financing to firms/
individuals/Business Support Organisations to fi-
nance projects and actions.
TTMA is pleased to note that the last call for propos-
als was in June 2012 with 92 beneficiaries of the
Regular Procedure Grants contracts being awarded
by September 2012, with total funding of
€2,498,794.04.
Innovation through competition
The TTMA was unable to have a presenter from the
Compete Caribbean - Enterprise Innovation Chal-lenge Fund (EICF), however information was shared
with attendees as the competition was launched on
October 1st and runs until November 30th. The EICF
has two funding options - The Innovation Window
and the Support to Clusters Window.
The Innovation Window is designed to probe for and
develop the ingenuity of the Caribbean private sector
by encouraging firms and entrepreneurs across the
Caribbean states to compete for non-reimbursable
grant funding up to US $500,000.
The JA-TT Trade Facilitation Desk takes this op-
portunity to encourage Jamaican firms to take ad-
vantage of the CariCRIS programme, the FIN-
PYME Credit, the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme,
as well as the EICF, as all can be accessible by Ja-
maican companies.
For further information on the financ-
ing opportunities seminar, please con-
tact Giselle Roberts (TTMA Member-
ship Officer) [email protected]
P A G E 4
Ms. Kavita Maharaj, Consultant for IDB
presenting on FINPYME Credit programme
at the TTMA’s financing seminar.
P A G E 5
“ J A M A I C A T R A D E D E S K N E W S ”
Celebrating Jamaica manufacturing excellence... (1/2)
JAMAICA UPDATES
To mark the 65th Anniversary of the Jamaica Manu-
facturers’ Association (JMA), manufacturing excel-
lence was recognized at the 44th Annual Awards
Banquet under the theme “Buy Jamaican… Build
Jamaica for Jamaica 50”, on October 4, 2012, at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel.
The Award Ceremony exemplified the elite of manu-
facturing innovation, commitment to excellence and
dedication to employees and community as JMA
members vied for top awards in twenty-five catego-
ries.
Additionally the Banquet featured:
“Flavours of Jamaica 50” meal: this incorpo-
rated products from iconic companies such as
Red Stripe, GraceKennedy, Jamaica Broilers
Group/Best Dressed Chicken, Rainforest Sea-
food and JP Tropical Foods, tantalizing the taste buds of all patrons.
Silent Auction: patrons bidded on their favourite locally manufactured goods from processed
foods to ceramic décor pieces as well as hotel
accommodations and local attractions.
Red carpet Spotlight Fashion segment which
was hosted by Miss Jamaica World 2006, Sara
Lawrence and Mrs. Novia McDonald Whyte,
Senior Associate Editor-Lifestyle and Social
Content, Jamaica Observer Ltd. This was aimed
at promoting local fashion designers, by encour-
aging patrons to wear Jamaican designed outfits.
The keynote speaker was the Most Honourable
Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister who shared on “The Way Forward for the Manufacturing Sec-
tor”. Over five hundred (500) guests were in atten-
dance including the Hon. Marigold Harding, Custos
Rotulorum for St. Andrew, the Hon. Anthony Hylton
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce,
members of the Diplomatic Corp, among other dis-
Winners at the 44th JMA Awards Banquet at the Wyndham
tinguished guests who joined us in
recognition of manufacturers that
have been a strong pillar of Jamaica’s
development as we celebrate Ja-
maica’s 50th year of independence.
The winners of the Awards were:
Product Group Awards
- Chemical, Cosmetics & Pharma-
ceutical Product Group: Newport
Fersan (Jamaica) Ltd.
- Electrical, Electronics & Automo-
tive Product Group Award: Nicorp
Ltd
- Food & Agro Product Group: J
Wray & Nephew Ltd.
- For Minerals & Metal Products: Caribbean Cement Company Ltd
- Printing, Packaging and Paper Products:
Corrpak Jamaica Ltd
- Textiles & Sewn Products: Designs By Marc
- Furniture, Bedding and Wooden Products
Group: Boss Furniture Company Ltd.
Special Recognition Awards Presentation
- Community Development Award in the
small manufacturer category: P.A. Benjamin
Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
- Community Development Award in the
large manufacturer category: Red Stripe
- HIV/AIDS Advocacy Award: Red Stripe.
Robert Lightbourne Award for Skill and Produc-
tivity
- In the category of Small and Medium Enter-
prise (SME): P.A. Benjamin Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
- In the category of Large Manufacturer: Red
Stripe.
Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Award for Competitiveness: P.A. Benjamin Manu-
facturing Co. Ltd.
Jamaica Public Service Company Limited
(JPSCo) Award for the Best Use of Energy and
Resource Efficiency: Dairy Industries (Jamaica)
Ltd.
National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ)
Best Environmental Management Programme:
Berger Paints Jamaica Ltd.
Digicel Business ICT Award: J. Wray and Nephew
Ltd.
Jamaica Council for Persons with Disability En-
ablement Award: Prestigious Bindery and Accesso-
ries.
Nicola Gordon Rowe Buy Jamaican Award:
Honey Bun Limited.
P A G E 6
JMA 44th Annual Awards Banquet... (2/2)
Champion Exporter Awards
Champion Exporter Award in the category of
Small Exporter: Spur Tree Spices Jamaica Ltd.
Champion Exporter in the category of Medium
Exporter: Agricultural Chemical Plant.
The Champion Exporter in the category of Large
Exporter: Red Stripe.
Eddie Hall Award for New Manufacturer of the
Year: Lifespan Company Ltd.
C. Henderson-Davis Breakthrough Product of the
Year Award: Edgechem Jamaica Limited for
Automel Super.
Ray Hadeed Award for Best Small and Me-
dium Sized Enterprise: P.A. Benjamin Manufac-
turing Co. Ltd.
The Governor General’s Award for Excellence
Manufacturer of the Year for 2011 sponsored by
EXIM Bank: Wisynco Group Limited.
For more information, kindly contact: Rochelle De-
Walker (PRO) [email protected]
The 6th International Food Safety Conference, convened by
the Food Hygiene Bureau, was successfully staged from
October 18-19th, 2012 at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort &
Spa in Montego Bay.
The bi-annual event was attended
by approximately 150 industry
partners and stakeholders, with
presenters from UK, USA, Can-
ada and the Caribbean, under the
theme “Food Safety Challenges,
Changing World Economy, Cul-
ture and Technologies”.
Opening keynote, the Hon. Ian
Hayles, State Minister, Ministry
of Agriculture & Fisheries recog-nized the important role of the
conference and declared that
“safe food plays an integral role
in food security and the health of our nation and our
visitors, so in 2011 cabinet approved a food safety policy
and the national agricultural health and food safety coordi-
nating committee, with the agricultural competitiveness
project and the cabinet’s modernization division prepared
an implementation plan for this policy which is now before
cabinet.”
The Hon. Ffolkes-Abrahams, State Minister, Ministry of
Industry Investment and Commerce, was the keynote on
second day. She highlighted the 26th Session of the Codex
Committee on fresh fruits and vegetables recently held just
a few days prior at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel, stating it
was “the first time that a small developing country such as
Jamaica has been able to negotiate successfully with the
US to co-host an event of this significance.” She also em-
phasized that “food safety is an important issue, which
requires collaboration among various sector interests
for the prevention of food-borne diseases, and our farm-
6th International Food Safety Conference!
Elaborating further, she said “Panama is expanding its
canal to accommodate large ships; we will also dredge
our harbour, which is known as the 7th largest in the
world, joining Singapore, Rotterdam, and Panama.”
She encouraged Jamaican entities to “put their house in order or opportunity windows will be closed.”
Sharon Parris-Chambers, Event Sponsor and Chair-
person of the Conference, introduced Marva Hewitt-
Heaven, CEO of the Food Hygiene Bureau, who ad-
vocated a “farm to fork” approach as a way to safe-
guard local food businesses and consumer health. 60%
of Jamaica’s income comes from Tourism and Food
Export which totals approximately US$118 million
(Based on figures for 2010). It is therefore important
that we recognize the fragile product that benefits us
all….The conference will address concerns regarding export issues, new legislation and impact on a local
company’s ability to achieve certification for exports
into overseas markets and the need for food busi-
nesses to adopt a proactive approach towards food
safety.” Hon. Ffolkes-Abrahams’ endorsed the international
conference and showed the importance of businesses
preparing for future opportunities in Central America,
which includes learning to speak Spanish.
The conference presenters provided insightful, rele-
vant and important information for the food and hos-
pitality industries that if applied would advance Ja-
maica’s position globally.
Those who missed this valuable conference can read the papers online at www.foodsafetyconference-
jamaica.org or contact Marva Hewitt-Heaven at
P A G E 7
Wisynco: Jamaican Manufacturer of the year 2011!
Wisynco a Jamaican-owned company is the proud re-
cipient of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association Gov-
ernor General’s award as Manufacturer of the year
2011. This is following the award for Break Through
product, “Cran Wata”, for the year 2008. Manufacturing is taken seriously by the company and they continually
give kudos to the staff for ensuring that a highest quality
of products comes off the line.
Wisynco started in plastic goods, supplying its own brand
“sweet” which consists of disposable food and beverage
ware such as plates, cups and containers to its home
country of Jamaica. Wisynco later branched out into
beverages and has developed great brands such as
WATA, BIGGA, CRAN WATA and BOOM Energy
Drink.
The company also under license, manufactures and dis-tributes a number of international brands such as Coca-
Cola, Schweppes, Minute Maid and many others. The
company was once responsible for making Jamaica the
largest per capita consumer of Ocean Spray beverages.
Unfortunately the company no longer markets and dis-
tributes the brand.
Wisynco now has products in 26 markets around the
world and its looking to continue on the growth path. The
distribution of beverages began in the late ’90s, early
2000s when a beverage facility started under a new com-pany called the Jamaican Drink Company. The first drink
manufactured was BIGGA.
Through the growth
objectives strong ini-
tiatives were devel-
oped by launching in
the USA through a partnership with the
Golden Krust Carib-
bean Bakery & Grill
restaurants making
Bigga Soda its exclu-
sive soft drink. There
are 120 Golden Krust stores which will help to give
the company the largest volume of Bigga outside of
Jamaica. The plan is to aggressively push with this
further expansion into the United States over the next
three years.
“The Innovators’’, staying true to their slogan, Wi-synco is working on a number of new products that it
hopes to debut soon. They have re-launched a brand
under its Wata label called Cran Wata.
A company with entrepreneurialism, innovation and
native pride at its heart, Wisynco is committed to
developing products that people can enjoy across
continents. Other priority markets now are the United
States, United Kingdom and the Caribbean.
For more information on Wisynco, please contact Ste-
phen Dawkins (Export Manager) ste-
Experience Kingston in Trinidad...
The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association-Kingston
Chapter, in association with The Jamaica Tourist Board
(JTB) and Caribbean Airlines, organized a sales trip to
Trinidad recently to highlight all that their capital city,
Kingston, the heartbeat of Jamaica has to offer in order
to boost travel there.
The Kingston team’s two days in Trinidad involved visit-
ing travel agencies in and around Port of Spain on one
day, and corporate appointments the second day, ending
with a cocktail reception at The Courtyard by Marriott
called “Experience Kingston”. Each delegate gave stimu-
lating presentations supported by attractive visuals of
each of their areas.
To recap the presentations, Adrian Harrison of the JTB
started with an overview of all that the beautiful island of Jamaica has to offer. The Norman Manley International
Airport representative, Grace Morrison, then spoke of the
newly refurbished hub, boasting expansive check-in, de-
parture and arrival lounge areas, along with Club King-
ston, the new VIP Lounge.
Maurice Bryan gave a presentation on Kingston, hav-
ing numerous attractions, top hotels, restaurants and
shopping for the discerning business or leisure trav-
eler, and then spoke about his hotels-The Courtleigh
Hotel & Suites and Knutsford Court Hotel, making way for Sophia Butler to showcase The Jamaica Pega-
sus Hotel, and Christina Taylor to feature the Wynd-
ham Kingston Hotel. Heron Thompson topped off the
evening with showing how guests can get around
Kingston in style through the services of Galaxy
Tours, offering from car and bus service to limousine
transfers. The invitees, a mix of travel agents and cor-
porate representatives, were treated to a raffle for
giveaways of weekends for two to the participating
hotels in Kingston to experience it for themselves.
For more information on Kingston, its attractions, hotels & more, you may contact The Jamaica Hotel
& Tourist Association at : 876-926-3635 or visit
www.jhta.org
P A G E 8
One from ten revisited...
CARICOM CORNER
When the late Dr. Eric Williams made his famous state-
ment, "one from ten is zero", all and sundry then, at
least in Trinidad & Tobago, respected and adhered to
the direction taken by the esteemed leader.
Everyone knows the result, the Federation failed, CARIFTA was tried and since then the English island
states of the Caribbean region have been trying, un-
successfully, to deepen the process of integration. As
to the question of how deep the integration process is
– the answer to this is subjective. Some may argue
that the region is at the Customs Union level, others
would say it is at the Common Market stage.
The fact of the matter is that Caricom is nowhere close
to where it should be. When you consider that the Euro-
pean Union started its integration movement around the
same time as Caricom, you will realise that this region is a long way from achieving its goal of being fully inte-
grated with the free movement of the factors of produc-
tion assisting in the growth and prosperity of the region.
Today, Member States of the region are still not seeing
the benefits of true unity. Put another way, Member
States continue to hold on to national sovereign posi-
tions over the long term possible gains to be had from a
truly deepened integration movement. As such there
continue to be, among other short comings, numerous
trade wars among the Member States of Caricom. At a
time when the region should be moving in one particular
direction that speaks to unity and deepened integration
to combat the rigors of a globalized world trading envi-
ronment, members of Caricom are continuing to put up
barriers against growing regional trade and development
among Member States. Can Caricom sovereign states
survive the world's globalization drive on their own,
without integrating? The obvious answer is no, yet it
looks as if that this is exactly what is being prescribed in
some territories given some sovereign countries' actions.
It appears to the casual observer that countries within the
region prefer to continue along the lines of national sov-
ereign autocratic rule of play over the regional good of
deepening and widening the integration movement, al-
lowing for strength in numbers and pooling of resources
thus preparing member states for the inevitable global
free trade reality. The view of this layman is that Caricom
must use the opportunity that is afforded to its members
in having a regional trading bloc (CARICOM) to develop
competencies to engage the wider world. All efforts
should be used to strengthen ties to, inter alia, build effi-
ciencies, grow industries, add value, integrate production
and enhance output both in goods and services, such that
the region can continue to exist and expand it’s worth.
This will allow the countries belonging to Caricom to
grow and find their niches in a growing single world
economy where the developed and emerging countries
are seeking to capture the majority of the world's market
shares for their own good.
Time is running out for the region. There are numerous
talks about countries going on their own. In many disci-
plines it is being discussed: cricket, trade and education;
there is talk to hold on to sovereignty over building the
integration movement. It is not too late to get it right, the
region cannot afford another arithmetic faux pas; the
region may never get another chance. Now is the time to
make the harsh decisions for the overall good of the
region, even if in some instances the short term losses
may appear unforgiving. Politicians, traders, NGOs, aca-
demia, BSOs all need to nature the process now.
Contribution from the TTMA Trade Specialist Mr.
Mahindra Ramesh Ramdeen [email protected]
© Copyright TTMA 2012 - The voice of business enterprises
Message from the TTMA:
The Board of Directors, Secretariat & membership of the TTMA takes this opportunity to extend our support and
prayers to all of our Jamaican counterparts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The TTMA recognizes the adverse
impact of such disasters on people; businesses and the economy and it is beyond a doubt a horrendous and catastro-
phic event that has affected your country. We empathize with our colleagues in Jamaica at this time and pledge our
support to assist wherever possible in coming months.
At the TTMA, we have encountered first hand in business, the passion and the power that is Jamaica and it is this
power of a people that we believe will ensure the required strength to rebuild in the face of such disaster. We believe
that the resolute tenacity and ingenuity that is synonymous with Jamaica will rise above this negative to return busi-
nesses and the country to operational normalcy.
TTMA stands committed to partner with Jamaican manufacturers and exporters to overcome setbacks faced by Hur-
ricane Sandy through the support of the Jamaica-TT Trade Desk now and moving forward. Our prayers are with
you.