By Trudy Simpson, Freelance WriterTHOUSANDS OF Jamaicans - buyers, local producers and manufacturers and the simply curious - turned out yesterday for the final day of the 2004 Jamaica Manufacturers' Association-Jamaica Exporters' Association Expo, at the National Arena in Kingston.
The Gleaner Co. Ltd., was given a Media Award for the 'Most Supportive Media of the Buy-Jamaican Campaign'; a subsidiary, Power 106 FM, received a similar award for radio. Jenni Campbell, The Gleaner's managing editor, collected the awards on behalf of the company.
Hailing the exposition as a tremendous success, Velma Sharpe, the JMA's operations manager, said that the close to 3,000 buyers who had been expected had registered for the expo in addition to local businesses and onlookers.
"I've been walking around and getting positive feedback," Mrs. Sharpe said.
Some exhibitors and buyers also reported success.
Patricia Malone, a buyer from Chez Willie, in the Bahamas, said she made some good deals and some contacts.
"A lot of people have been asking us to come and check with them and people have been buying stuff," added Ambrozene Simp-son, an employee of local protective gear company, National Fire and Safety Ltd.
"I'm very glad to participate. We have been exposed to a lot of persons especially with our adjustable beds and our packaging material. We had it on the Internet but now we are exposed to the public," said Errol Riddel, a factory supervisor at JUMBOLON, a subsidiary of the Morgan's Group known for Polyflex Foam and Ther-a-pedic mattresses.
The success was also reflected in the high interest shown by the public and business interests.
At 6:30 PM, the arena was still buzzing with giveaways, live concerts and competing voices as exhibitors, offering various goods and services, attracted the attention of international and local buyers hunting last-minute deals and connections, and curious Jamaicans who took their children along, turning the occasion into a family outing.
Outside the National Arena, persons waited in a long line which stretched almost to the entrance and vehicles transporting patrons lined Arthur Wint Drive waiting to go into the National Arena.
Among the benefits gained, Mrs. Sharpe said, was ensuring greater awareness of Jamaican products, the aim of the expo which was held under the theme, ;Buy Jamaica, Build Jamaica'.
The JMA/JEA Expo 2004 saw the JMA collaborating with the Jamaica Exporters' Association in bringing the national trade show back to the National Arena, after an eight-year break. The Expo had more than 150 booths showcasing the highest quality of Jamaican productions including, food and beverages, garments and textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, craft, fashion apparel, automotive products, electronics, printing, packaging, chemicals, household products, agro-products, telecommunication and financial services.
