The objective of the Furniture Incubator Project is to provide a business and manufacturing environment that facilitates the accelerated and sustainable development of targeted groups within the furniture industry. This is to be achieved through a networking/clustering/incubator wooden furniture programme.

The opening of the Design Centre is in keeping with the objective of ensuring that the furniture sector will be "design led". This focus will encourage a constant supply of innovative yet standardised designs and prototypes which will ensure durability, quality and consistency in the supply of furniture and wooden products needed in the marketplace.

Collaboration with stakeholders

The programme is being facilitated through the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and the Jamaica Wood Products & Furniture Association in collaboration with other stakeholders.

In an effort to keep furniture-industry stakeholders fully informed, a meeting will be held Wednesday at the Medallion Hall Hotel in St Andrew at which issues, including the Government's mandate through BSJ, will be addressed.

Other issues that will be explored include the strides made in achieving financing for furniture producers, training capacity building through HEART and business and related-support services for furniture producers.