‘Brand Jamaica’ to be showcased to big World Audience

Jamaica will showcase the best of manufacturing to the biggest world audience ever, when the country participates in ‘Shanghai World Expo 2010’, from May 1 to October 31, in China.
More than 20 local producers are down to participate in the six-month long expo, which is being held under the theme: ‘Better City, Better Life’.
The largest trade show in world history, some 190 countries and more than 50 international organisations are registered to participate, and China expects to receive almost 100 foreign leaders and millions of people from across the world for the event.

Minister of Industry and Investment, Hon. Karl Samuda, making a point during a press conference to outline Jamaica’s participation in ‘Shanghai World Expo 2010’ today (April 21) at the Jamaica Trade and Invest’s offices in Kingston. The six-month long expo will be staged from May 1 to October 31 in Shanghai, China.

Speaking at a press conference at the New Kingston offices of Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), today (April 21), Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, said the expo presents “great opportunities” for Jamaica to showcase its products and attract foreign investors.
“It is well for us to be exposed to, not only China, but to the world. Whatever products we take to China, there must not be the possibility of a.buyer taking up a product and finding fault with it. The product must be perfect, because for us to make the kind of impression that we need to make about Jamaica, we must be excellent; nothing else will do,” he stated.
The Minister said he is satisfied with the level of commitment of those who have volunteered to go to China, to not only expose their products, but to be part of the experience of “showcasing and showing off to the rest of the world what Jamaica is really like.”
National Coordinator for Shanghai World Expo 2010, Dr. Dana Morris, informed that a range of local products and services be showcased weekly in the 3,400 square-foot ‘Brand Jamaica’ booth.

Minister of Industry and Investment, Hon. Karl Samuda (right) engaging in discussion with President, Jamaica Promotions Corporation/Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO/JTI), Sancia Bennett-Templer during a press conference to outline Jamaica’s participation in ‘Shanghai World Expo 2010′ today (April 1) at the JTI’s offices in Kingston. The six-month long expo will be staged from May 1 to October 31 in Shanghai, China.

The booth, which will form part of the CARICOM Pavilion at the expo, will feature spices, condiments, rum, beer, coffee, herbal tea, fortified wines, apparel, and art and craft, which will be displayed in packaging bearing the Mandarin language of China.
There will also be ongoing entertainment in the form of live music, dance demonstrations and other cultural activities.
CARICOM Day celebrations on July 17 will be among the major events for Jamaica. Other activities in July include distributors’ and exporters’ fora, while in August, there will be a Jamaican Independence Gala.
Dr. Morris noted that the expo will present Jamaica with a chance to build on and benefit from the publicity and goodwill garnered at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and to position Jamaica as the hub of the region for culture, trade and investment.
The ‘Brand Jamaica’ booth will be opened from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will be managed and operated by four Jamaicans from across ministries and two students studying in China.
It is estimated that 70 million visitors will attend the expo with an estimated 700,000 to visit the Jamaican booth.
Jamaica’s participation in expo is an inter-ministerial effort involving the Ministries of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Youth, Culture and Sports; Tourism (Jamaica Tourist Board); and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, among others.