THE BOARD of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) yesterday elected Doreen Frankson as President of the organisation. She replaces Clarence Clarke, who resigned last week. The board also elected Mr. Milverton Smith, a director, as Deputy President.
Ms. Frankson, a director of the JMA, is Chief Executive Officer of Edgechem Jamaica Limited, a manufacturer of automotive paints, industrial and furniture finishes. She is the first woman to be elected president of the Manufacturers Association.
In accepting office, the new President said she would be relying on the support of the JMA team. She said that manufactu-ring represents a crucial element in the Jamaican economy. For manufacturing to regain its former strength in terms of contribution to growth and employment will require renewed energy and focus.
"A long-term vision and an appreciation of the factors impacting on production today are necessary to achieve competitiveness in the increasingly liberalised global environment that we face," she said.
"The JMA stands ready to work with all elements of Civil society including Government and the labour movement to increase the wealth of the nation," said Ms. Frankson.
The board of the JMA has indicated that it is not in a position to support the endorsement of the alternative proposal of a two per cent customs user fee and will be seeking consultations with the Government to address issues that will retain the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. The Board has appointed a negotiating team to assist the President. The team consists of deputy president Milverton Smith, vice-presidents Raymond Miles Jr. and Ambassador Peter King, Omar Azan, treasurer and Nicola Gordon-Rowe Executive director.
The board unanimously endorsed a resolution expressing its appreciation to immediate Past President Clarence Clarke for the commitment and dedication, which characterised his tenure of office. The board also expressed its thanks to immediate past deputy President Simon Roberts for his unstinting contribution to the JMA.
