Samuda urges manufacturers to invest in re-tooling and technology

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, has called on local manufacturers to invest in the appropriate technologies, tools, and training, which will transform the sector and make it more competitive.

He noted that while Jamaica had some of the most productive manufacturing workers, the industry lacked the requisite level of technological applications “that will make you more competitive."

He was speaking at the launch of phase three of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) ‘Buy Jamaican, Build Jamaica’ campaign on April 12 at the Designs by Marc complex in Spanish Town Road, Kingston.

According to Minister Samuda, manufacturing offers the country the greatest opportunity of overcoming existing financial challenges. “We don’t want anybody to give us anything; we are quite capable of working our way out of the problems. What we want is the support from the financial sector; we want the support from the manufacturing sector with the bravery, the foresight, and the futuristic approach to invest in Jamaica,” he stated.

Commenting on his recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Samuda said after viewing processes, operations, and activities in the twin island republic, “we came away, it is fair to say, with a renewed sense of confidence in the future of Jamaica."

He pointed out that, notwithstanding the advantages the southern Caribbean nation has in terms of “competitive energy”, Jamaica has advantages in productivity; a reasonably-sized market; and a sound business system “that has guided business… right across the spectrum of distribution, retail, and manufacturing."

He lamented, however, that various interests have not adequately “come to grips”, over the years, with the need to produce at a competitively high quality and more variety of products that would encourage local consumers to buy more into the Jamaican brand.

 “Complacency set in and we have not kept pace with the level of competitiveness that we should have. The Jamaican consumer, today… has become a very sophisticated buyer, and unless the local producer can become very competitive, can be well priced and be consistent with quality, the Jamaicans that we are asking to buy Jamaican, will not do so,” the Minister contended.

While expressing full support for the Buy Jamaican campaign, Mr. Samuda urged the JMA to ensure that the initiative’s purpose is “equally matched” by the determination of the manufacturing sector to invest in Jamaica.

“Make the workers more productive by giving them the tools by which they can become more productive; they need training. I support Buy Jamaican 100 per cent. You know that you can count on us in the Ministry…to give you all the support (you need). But our support can only be facilitatory; it is left to you to use your own ingenuity, determination and ambition to move forward in a productive way,” Mr. Samuda underscored.    

The Buy Jamaican, Build Jamaica campaign, being sponsored by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Group to the tune of $12 million, aims to heighten and foster greater support for locally manufactured products by Jamaican consumers.  JMA President, Omar Azan, and NCB Group Managing Director, Patrick Hylton, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Tuesday’s ceremony, formalising the partnership.

By DOUGLAS McINTOSH, JIS Reporter