News

WITH the calendar year coming to an end and Jamaicans hoping for prosperity in the new year, Expo Jamaica, Jamaica’s largest and longest running trade show stands to bring a boost to businesses for 2014 by sparking international interest in authentic Jamaican-made products.

The event is being positioned with the Government’s proposed plans for the logistics hub, under theme “The Business Hub of the Caribbean”. The biennial multi-sectoral show, slated for April 3-6, 2014, at the National Arena, will be more innovative and hi-tech, according to the organisers.

“Over the years the Expo Jamaica committee has worked very hard in improving all facets of our show for what we now regard as the perfect platform where buyers meet sellers creating a true economic launch pad for our businesses and country,” said Aswad Morgan, co-chair of the organizing committee.

“Expo Jamaica 2014 will be even better, as now we have even more buyers showing strong interest coming from all over the world. For this we are truly grateful,” he added.

With a little more than five months to go, over 150 buyers from over 30 countries, including Jamaica, have already registered to see, taste and feel authentic Jamaican products for purchase and distribution in their home countries which will bring stronger export earnings for the registered companies.

These countries represent in excess of five regions including North and South America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. As reported by JAMPRO, the entity charged with Expo Jamaica’s buyer recruitment, several registrations are repeat buyers with unique attention stemming from fast-growing economies such as India and China, which make up the BRIC nations. The remaining countries of the group, Russia and Brazil are also being targeted. These countries indicate a growing interest and demand for Jamaican products and services.

To date, the organisers said that over 60 per cent of exhibitor booth spaces have been booked, with over 2,000 quality products from local manufacturers expected to be on display. The items on display will range from food and agro to furniture, chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, services, and more, showcasing the versatility of the products and how to use these for efficient business solutions.

“The past expositions have enhanced the competitiveness of all Jamaican exports for this global environment. The consistency of workshops to assist in identifying trade opportunities and the drive for local production, have also helped to increase our non-traditional products and services,” noted Bernadette Wong, marketing and sales director at Salada Foods.

“With continuous focus on strategic marketing for global exports and supporting Expo Jamaica, Salada Foods has been successful in our endeavours to seek prospective distributors for the USA, Caribbean and the European markets,” she added.

As part of the preparation process, the exposition has focused efforts on the solutions Jamaica offers to the international market through quality Jamaican products. A showcase on how these exhibitors’ products offer real solutions has also began on the Expo Jamaica Facebook page. With this in mind, Expo Jamaica has expanded on building the capacity of its registered exhibitors by not only providing the market for their products but also training on how to grow their business in the rapidly changing environment hinged on a tech-focused, data driven and targeted approach.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Published Date: November 29th, 2013