IF LOCAL uniform manufacturers are given the chance, they could produce high-quality products, says Doreen Frankson, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association.
Miss Frankson made the claim on Saturday night, while addressing the association's annual awards banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
She said the JMA had been meeting with banks to encourage them to source uniforms locally for their employees. On Wednesday, a local manufacturer secured a contract with National Commercial Bank Ltd., to supply 22,700 garments.
"We can build this industry, but we need to have a common goal. We must support each other, we must buy Jamaican and build Jamaica," Miss Frankson said.
Stating that there had been a rebound in the local manufacturing sector as indicated by the 2002 Social and Economic Survey, the JMA president said that last year the 'cut-make-and-trim' segment of the manufacturing industry experienced an increase of 93 per cent in earnings from exports.
It was reported earlier this year that Jamaican uniform manufacturers were losing millions of dollars in contracts to overseas companies, because of what was being described as 'sub-standard quality'.
At the banquet, Sir Howard Cooke, Governor-General, presented the Export-Import Bank of Jamaica Trophy to Red Stripe, the winner of the 2003 Governor-General's Awards. PETROJAM and Federated Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. emerged second and third-place winners, respectively.
In the 'Champion Exporter' category, J. Wray and Nephew, Ltd. was announced the winner and Red Stripe and Industrial Chemicals Co. Ltd., second and third; several other companies received awards of merit for productivity and competitiveness.
The JMA's Export Awards Competition was started 36 years ago to help stimulate production in the manufacturing sector.
Miss Frankson told The Gleaner yesterday that she was pleased with the performance of the industry last year, describing it as consistent with the 'positive mode' the country was now experiencing.
