Development Minister Launches 2003 Island Cruiser

Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson, on Friday (Nov. 29), officially launched the 2003 line of locally-manufactured vehicles known as “the Island Cruiser” in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland.

The four new vehicles manufactured in Western Jamaica by Excel Motors Limited, were unveiled to the public by Dr. Robertson. The vehicles boast strong fiber-glass material manufactured here, using Jamaican labor, and fitted with imported Toyota engines and gearboxes. In his remarks, Dr. Robertson said that to date, Excel Motors has received grant funding from Government totaling $2.9 million.

“The Government of Jamaica has been involved in the process since 1998 through Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), providing technical support with the objective being to improve Excel’s International competitiveness. I must add that Excel is the first company in the history of our country to receive the Jamaica Bureau of Standards certification and this may even be a first in the Caribbean,” the Minister of Development said.

Dr. Robertson pointed out that the Excel story was one of courage and determination, despite the odds and “we need more persons with the indomitable spirit of a Patrick Marzouca, if we are going to move this country forward and achieve the kind of development befitting our citizens”. “Excel’s success is a boost for the manufacturing sector/industry in Jamaica, because it is a testament to what can be achieved, with persistence and hard work,” Dr. Robertson noted.He stressed that Government was committed to continue facilitating the process of development, noting that for the financial year 2001, JAMPRO facilitated investments totalling some $10.68 billion.

“We must now seek to create a new spirit in the bureaucracy and in the agencies and organizations which administer projects and build a machinery which is flexible and customer-friendly, and that’s what my mission is,” Dr. Robertson pointed out. In officially launching the new 2003 Excel line of Island Cruisers, the Minister of Development called on Jamaicans to celebrate the power of positive thinking, and extended warm congratulations to successful manufacturer Patrick Marzouca, expressing the hope that the vehicles will find their place on the international market.

The 2003 Island Cruisers are on the market at a price of between US$12,000.00 and US$15,000.00.