Government Pursuing Partnerships for Natural Fibre Industries
By: June 23, 2014 ,The Key Point:
The Facts
- The first phase will emphasise bamboo and coconut, as these two fibres have already established some infrastructure, industry, and market penetration.
- The promoters of JAMIFI believe that the products and by-products of bamboo, hemp, coconut, and other “ital” fibres, can have an immediate and vital impact in creating quality employment.
The Full Story
The Bureau of Standards Jamaica is pursuing a public private sector partnership with the Jamaica Ital Fibres Institute (JAMIFI), for the applied research and development of bamboo, hemp, coconut, and other natural and vital (‘ital’) fibres in Jamaica.
“The promoters of JAMIFI believe that the products and by-products of bamboo, hemp, coconut, and other “ital” fibres, can have an immediate and vital impact in creating quality employment, sustainable enterprise, and much needed economic and social activity in Jamaica,” Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams said.
She was speaking making her contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 18.
She added that the first phase will emphasise bamboo and coconut, as these two fibres have already established some infrastructure, industry, and market penetration.
“Hemp (and medicinal cannabis) has also generated much commercial interest recently, due to social experimentation and de-criminalization in two of the states in the United States of America, and other countries. It is important, therefore, that JAMIFI and Jamaica participate in the promotion and development of this vital fibre and not ‘miss the boat’,” Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams said.