Support Coming for Furniture Sector

A total of $35 million has been allocated, through the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), to finance the Wooden Products and Furniture Incubator project for this year.
“Over the duration of the three-year project, a total of $100 million is to be made available,” Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, confirmed during the opening of the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives Tuesday (May 11).
The project is being implemented in collaboration with a number of public and private sector bodies, including the Ministry of Education, HEART Trust /NTA and the Jamaica Wooden Products and Furniture Association (JaWFA).
A nine-month pilot phase, which ended in December 2009, saw the establishment of the administrative framework for the project and the launch of a Design Centre at the Bureau.
“For the 2010/11 financial year, we are looking towards the establishment of six hubs islandwide (for technical and financial training), and the incubation of some 40 wooden furniture manufacturers,” Mr. Samuda said.
Meanwhile, the Industry Minister said countries and companies, worldwide, have been taking advantage and exploiting Jamaica’s good name and gaining commercially from its reputation.
“The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office is establishing what are called ‘Codes of Practice’, which clearly set out specific rules and standards by which our fine Jamaican products can be registered locally and internationally. By so doing, Jamaica will be in a better position to police and prosecute infringements of its intellectual property around the world,” Mr. Samuda said.