LOCAL COMPANIES are being encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunity being offered by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) for users of the Jamaica Trade Point, the web portal created for on-line business transactions.
The Jamaica Trade Point, spearheaded by JAMPRO, is Jamaica's trade facilitation portal - www.JamaicaTradePoint.com - where exporters and importers can carry out trade related transactions with the relevant organisations 'on-line' and in a seamless manner. The service also offers the convenience of on-line payment for customs duties and user fees, among others.
Over 500 exporters, importers and customs brokers are targeted for the training programme, which was launched in February, and is to be delivered in collaboration with the Institute of Management and Production (IMP), a subsidiary of the University College of the Caribbean, and the Jamaica Exporters' Association.
Three sets of seminars are to be held to provide the basic knowledge and skills for businesspersons to navigate the system and conduct trade-related transactions on-line. These are on-line export processes, on-line import processes and introduction to computers. Specific tasks include the registration of exporting companies, products and consignees, procuring licenses and certifications, securing import and export approvals, and effecting on-line credit card payments.
The training programme is being subsidised to the tune of $1.5 million under the New Economy Project (NEP), an initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises. This subsidy will allow special rates for participants in the first 26 sessions, scheduled between mid-March and mid-May.
