Trade Board Limited Launches Export Academy

The Trade Board Limited on Tuesday (February 25) launched its Export Academy, marking a groundbreaking step in equipping Jamaican businesses with the necessary training to successfully export their goods and services.

The free digital platform is designed to empower both new and experienced exporters with the critical knowledge and skills needed to navigate the global marketplace.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill said the platform is part of the Government’s efforts to increase and digitise export activities.

“It offers access to vital market intelligence, compliance information, among other things. These are tools that make international expansion achievable, explore new markets and connect with potential buyers, understand customs requirements and ensure you navigate global opportunities [with greater ease],” he said.

The platform is operated in the form of customised assessment instruments to assess the knowledge gap of users.

At the core of these assessments are built-in content and training material in the form of notes, videos, documents, and presentations.

It also includes links to additional resources generated by the platform automatically, with the use of built-in rules and algorithms after each assessment to fill identified knowledge gaps.

Trade Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Trade Board Limited, Dr. (Maj. Ret’d) Hugh Blake said the launch of the initiative marks a significant milestone in the entity’s effort to support and empower Jamaican exporters.

“The Export Academy is a groundbreaking digital learning platform meticulously developed to provide new and experienced exporters with essential knowledge and resources to successfully export their products overseas. The platform is not just a tool; it is an opportunity to garner the knowledge to extend our global reach and enhance our collective success in international trade,” he said.

The platform boasts a comprehensive library of export learning resources with curated categories covering every aspect of the export process in Jamaica.

The library is comprised of information and resources to support increased user confidence to export, increase the volume and types of exports, encourage growth in the number of exporters, and improve the ease of penetration into new markets.

The Export Academy also links to the Export Jamaica Gateway, which provides global insights, compliance information and tools to help Jamaican businesses expand internationally.
Manager, Systems Engineering and Programming, Trade Board Limited, Jason Mills said the main target audience for the Export Academy will be micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

However, in a bid to encourage more export activities by local players, Mr. Mills said large corporations, as well as students and the average Jamaican interested in the export sector will also be encouraged to explore opportunities in the sector.

“One of the main aims of the Export Academy platform is to provide information to allow for better understanding of the export process. This will be done by bridging the knowledge gap through an online platform that provides customised assessments and content to the exporting community. The end result will leave the exporter with a clear picture of the export process with the knowledge gained from the Export Academy,” he said.

For more information visit, exportacademyja.com, or info@tradeboard.gov.jm.