NCST Hosts Workshop for Nutraceutical Enthusiasts

A group of nutraceutical enthusiasts attended a recent business opportunity workshop themed: ‘Growing your nutraceutical enterprise’, hosted by the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST).

Held at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), in Kingston, the workshop featured regulatory bodies with interest in the industry outlining processes and procedures to the many stakeholders in attendance.

“In order to build this industry that it can access the international markets in a positive and professional way, we must get it right from the start, and that is why we have invited the farmers, the legislators and all [nutraceutical practitioners] to come together and understand the challenges and the opportunities that are available,” President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ), Hugh Johnson, said in his welcome remarks at the workshop.

Other segments featured the Ministry of Health (MOH) highlighting the distinctions between a food and a drug, as well as the procedures to manufacture and distribute the commodity.

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) also presented on the requirements for businesses in testing, packaging and labeling of their products.

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) highlighted the opportunities available for promoting products in the international marketplace, while the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) outlined the importance of trade mark and patenting in business.

“When you are registering your trade mark and protecting your business, you should have something that is distinctive and easily recognizable,” Executive Director of JIPO, Lilyclaire Bellamy, told the attendees.

There were also presentations from the SBAJ on formalising business and organisational practices; the Scientific Research Council (SRC), on meeting regulatory and export requirements; and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, on the micro, small and medium sized enterprise (MSME) policy.

Panel discussions, titled ‘Getting ready for local and international markets’, and ‘Banking on your business – Accessing Money’, were also held.

The workshop was the first of two to be held this month. The other is scheduled for the Holiday Inn, in Montego Bay, on March 23. Persons interested in attending may contact the NCST at: ncst.gov.jm.