Susan Smith, Staff Reporter
GORDON
THE 'REGGAE Train' trade mission to the Caribbean was a success said president of the Jamaica Exporters' Association and leader of the delegation, Dr. André Gordon.
The Jamaica Export Association, JAMPRO and the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) organised a joint trade mission to visit five CARICOM islands late last month. "The real focus of the mission was to re-establish brand Jamaica and step up Jamaica's export operations within the CARICOM market," Dr. Gordon told the Financial Gleaner, prior to his departure for the islands.
A total of 17 companies accompanied the three organisations to Antigua, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Barbados.
WENT VERY WELL
"It went very well overall," said Dr. Gordon. "The companies booked in excess of J$30 million from sales of orders already taken, with several follow up orders." Pointing out that none of the major Jamaican manufacturers went along, Dr. Gordon is convinced that had Jamaica taken a wider representation of products, the mission would have gone even better.
Barbados and Grenada, in particular, generated the largest volume of business, according to Dr. Gordon. He reported that all the companies which went looking for distributors got several offers.
"It is clear there are tremendous opportunities for Jamaican products in these markets," said Dr. Gordon, explaining that some people asked about Jamaica's cultural exports. "They want us to bring plays and other entertainment to their countries."
Dr. Gordon said the last time trade mission of this nature generated in the range of about US$2 million in orders.
