By John Myers, Jr., Staff ReporterTHE JAMAICA Exporters' Association/Jamaica Manufacturers' Association Trade Expo was officially opened yesterday at the National Arena in St. Andrew with more than 200 exhibitors showcasing their products.
The expo ends on Sunday.
Doreen Frankson, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA), said this year's expo is one of the largest to be held, resulting in some interested producers turned away because of inadequate space. She said, "This trade show indeed represents another important stage of a collective effort to revive and encourage the growth and creation of businesses that are indigenous to Jamaica."
The JMA president pointed out that unlike previous years, the expo, which is being held under the theme 'Buy Jamaican Expo 2004', has included exhibits from the music and agricultural industries as the organisers go all out in promoting the array of goods and services provided by Jamaican companies to the public here and by extension the Caribbean.
"In the run-up to the expo, we have definitely felt the effects of the 'Buy Jamaican, Build Jamaican' campaign launched in February," Ms. Frankson said. She noted that the impact has been positive "because we have been seeing a renewed level of enthusiasm about Jamaica's productive capabilities."
Ms. Frankson was, however, vocal in pointing out that Jamaican manufacturers were "tired of the self-destructing negativity that seems to have overtaken us as a nation."
She said, "Jamaican manufacturers have been experiencing serious non-tariff barriers in some of the markets in which we attempt to introduce our product. In complete contrast, Jamaican borders are wide open."
