BY MAKING more use of available information, Jamaican businesses could be better prepared to trade internationally, says JAMPRO librarian Akishma Aiken.
Information at the library is geared to meet the needs of the business community, she said in an interview. The business library at JAMPRO is home to the most comprehensive collection of information on export trade promotion information in the island.
"I believe the information is underutilised," Miss Aiken said. "People can get so much more than they are accessing now."
Those wishing to market products abroad should, "check us first," she said. "You will be able to find the proper procedures to get things done."
There are import and export directories on several different countries, Miss Aiken said.
Information on all the strategic industry clusters outlined in Jamaica's National Industrial Policy is available within the library collection in separate clusters. These cover services, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, minerals, chemicals and alternate energy. Its collection includes government papers, commissioned reports and policy papers. There are also periodicals, audio-visual materials, local and international company annual reports, bibliographies, as well as electronic resources
The library was formed in 1990 from the merger of the collections of the Jamaica National Export Corporation, the Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation and the Jamaica National Investment Corporation.
Access to the library was limited in the past, so not too many people know about it, Miss Aiken said. This was because the physical limitations of the previous JAMPRO location meant that only six visitors could be seated in the library.
"That prevented us from exploiting its full potential," she said.
JAMPRO moved offices to a new corporate centre in Kingston earlier this year. The new location allowed for more space in the library and seating is now available for 24.
"We are working on putting our database online," she said. This is aimed at making the library even more accessible to users.
That process should be completed by September.
And there are also plans to provide enhanced services for regular corporate users. The aim, Miss Aiken said, is not to charge these customers more, but to make it easier and more efficient for them.
