By Erica James-King, Staff Reporter
Clarence Clarke, President of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, is appealing to manufacturers to register with the JMA as soon as possible. - File
WESTERN BUREAU:
IN AN effort to encourage growth in the manufacturing sector, the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) is establishing a databank for members of the productive sector, as part of preparatory moves to develop a policy document.
Making the disclosure in an interview with The Gleaner, Clarence Clarke, president of the Jamaica Manufactures Association (JMA) is appealing to manufacturers to register with the JMA a soon as possible.
This strategy comes at a time when the sector is facing a slump in output, "excessive" interest rates and the negative impact of crime which acts as a deterrent to investors and employers.
The databank programme will ensure the registration of all manufacturing companies and collate data on their products and productive capacity.
"Not all manufacturers are members of the JMA. If we are to effectively represent the interests of the manufacturing sector, we need to have the entities on record and know what products they are producing, the problems being faced and their productive capacity. So a databank is of utmost importance before the sector can truly grasp it potential for expansion," maintained Mr. Clarke.
"We want all manufacturers to register with us, as a matter of urgency."
