THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE MANAGEMENT of the Coffee Industry Board wishes to express sincere appreciation to Lebert Bennett of Express Marketing and your staff for the Herculean support you provided to us on Tuesday, September 6, 2005, despite the abnormal and hostile conditions which prevailed on that day.
Although establishments in the business district of downtown Kingston were either closed to the public or operating at reduced business hours with reduced personnel, your officers, and particularly Ms. Jacqueline Bailey and Ms. Janice Baker, went beyond the call of duty to extend their work hours and provide assistance to our shipping/customs officer in:
1. processing the required export documentation at Berth 11-APM Terminals
2. Facilitating the movement of five containers of green/raw coffee to the Kingston Wharves for sailing the following day.
Had we missed that sailing date, there would have been a negative ripple effect of financial and marketing dislocations to our local and overseas customers and ultimately to ourselves. The next available sailing date would have been more than two weeks later. Your officers clearly appreciate that within the modern business environment, a two weeks delay can result in loss of confidence, loss of integrity and loss of market share.
We are grateful to you for assisting us in maintaining our favorable position within the marketplace, and we applaud your significant and sustained efforts in building Jamaica's image and potential for investment. Once again, we extend our thanks and appreciation.
I am, etc.,
GRAHAM DUNKLEY
Director General
Coffee Industry Board
