JAMPRO links local buyers and suppliers

Local suppliers of manufactured goods, processed foods, farm produce and various services benefited from a linkages event held at the Riu Hotel, Mammee Bay, St. Ann on Friday February 11.

The event, the third of  the kind staged by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), allowed suppliers to meet with buyers from the accommodation and attractions sub-sectors of tourism, to forge business alliances and make contractual arrangements.

“Our linkages programme aims to deepen local linkages along the entire value chain and to increase the absorptive capacity of our investing community, to source high quality goods and services locally,” Manager of Export Development at JAMPRO, Marlene Porter, said.

She added that JAMPRO was fully committed to the process, not only in attracting the foreign investors to Jamaica, but also in ensuring that it moves to the next level, of exposing them to opportunities in the local market place, as well as the quality of suppliers and supplies.  

With JAMPRO working in partnership with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Chamber of Commerce, to bring important stakeholders together at the event, Area Chairman of the Runaway Bay Chapter of JHTA, Vanna Taylor, said that her association was pleased to be a part of the venture.

“It was our pleasure, at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, to partner with them and, I hope, this will be a most successful day for both our buyers and suppliers, to enable us to form meaningful partnerships,” Miss Taylor said.

One supplier of art work, Lennox Coke, told JIS News that the event was a brilliant idea, allowing him to showcase his work and meet new buyers.

“Exhibiting is a plus, and the event helped to expose what we have to offer. It does not matter what you have, because if no one knows how valuable your work is, then you will not make any growth, so I am happy for this linkages event,” Mr. Coke said.

Buyer, Latoya Davis, who represented Pipers Cove Resort in Runaway Bay, agreed that it was worthwhile.

“I had an opportunity to see a wide range of supplies, and get broader knowledge of what is within the marketplace. I will now be able to expand within these different areas,” she told JIS News.

The first linkages sessions were held in November and December last year in Negril and Montego Bay, respectively.

CONTACT: ALDEEN CAMPBELL

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