Jamaica Trade & Invest Stages Inaugural Opportunities Jamaica Expo

Opportunities Jamaica ’07, the inaugural business conference and exposition of the Jamaica Trade & Invest (JTI), will be held next week at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios.
The two-day event, from November 28 to 29, is one of several initiatives that the JTI will undertake on an annual basis to highlight and showcase some of Jamaica’s viable business opportunities.
“Its primary purpose is to link the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the island with new and exciting opportunities for the Jamaican business community,” said JTI President, Robert Gregory, at a press briefing held this morning (Nov. 23) at his Trafalgar Road offices.
He noted that a key objective is to “lift the general awareness of our people and to foster a new mindset of entrepreneurship amongst our local businesspeople and those seeking to go into business.”
Targeted are micro, small, and medium-sized businesses which, he said, “form the backbone of Jamaica’s economy and account for as much as 80 per cent of national employment.”
“We want to offer as much to these businesses in terms of planned information sessions and a myriad of business matchmaking and networking opportunities, not to mention the possibilities to discuss business ideas with the financial institutions that will be present,” Mr. Gregory informed.
Noting that many opportunities abound in the local economy, Mr. Gregory said that Opportunities Jamaica ’07 will showcase new and emerging possibilities in a number of sectors.
On show will be a combination of public and private sector projects incorporating various industries including agribusiness, creative industries, attractions, software development, alternative energy, tourism, resident/housing, and commercial developments, while a number of seminars and workshops will be conducted focusing on opportunities in a number of sectors including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
Upwards of 80 participants, mainly companies, and 78 business opportunities, have been registered for the event, Mr. Gregory disclosed, adding that 20 exhibitors will display their goods and services.
“Eighty prominent local investors have been invited to attend to meet with individuals. Foreign hotels that are already JTI clients and are operating here (and) in the Diaspora, have also been invited,” he told journalists.
Additionally, he said that foreign business interests are already exploring possibilities for partnerships in energy and agricultural projects, canned and agribusiness products, and juices.
The Development Bank of Jamaica, (DBJ), EX-IM Bank, National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Public Service, and Bank of Nova Scotia, are the main sponsors of Opportunities Jamaica ’07.