Jamaica Needs Risk Takers – Tufton

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, says that Jamaica needs innovative risk takers, who can take advantage of the vast prospects that exists for the creation of businesses.

"Jamaica is looking for the next set of innovators in order to blaze a trail and to create a following … that is so critical to the next business cycle and the success of businesses in the country," Dr. Tufton stated at the press launch of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Expo 2011 yesterday (July 27) at the Wexford Court Hotel, in St. James.

He said that the Government, in the move to facilitate business development, has created a climate, where opportunities are "ripe for the picking".

"We have a number of possibilities that we can exploit, but we need to remind ourselves about entrepreneurship and risk-taking.  We are at a point where we need to now identify, associate with, promote and encourage …risk-taking and endorse and support of new ideas and the expansion of new ideas," he noted further.

Noting that the Government has a critical role to play in this thrust, Dr. Tufton noted that part of the challenge is to help entities to appreciate the fundamental variables in ensuring business success, including retooling and upgrading skills.

"I am saying to entrepreneurs and to companies, there is no better time than today to retool your businesses and to think retooling.  There is no better time than today to upgrade your skills and to think about the best skill sets that you need for your particular line of work.  There is no better time today than to certify your operations and your products so that you can overcome whatever issues there may be," he stated.

The expo will be staged from October 14 to 16 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall under the theme: 'Unleashing Innovations'.

Over the years, this three-day trade fair has provided a medium for businesses to showcase the best of Jamaica's goods and services.

Some 115 exhibitors from areas such as hospitality, banking, finance, services, agriculture, education and training, manufacturing, and information communication technologies (ICT) are expected to showcase their offerings.

By Glenis Rose
JIS REGIONAL OFFICE
MONTEGO BAY