Export Max III partners JAMPRO, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) have selected 48 companies for the export development programme. The announcement was made on December 10, 2019 during the official Export Max III MOU signing ceremony.

The 48 companies will participate in a vigorous 3-year programme that will include intensive capacity building and market penetration support, in addition to development and implementation of a customized 3-year Enterprise Development Plan for each participating firm.

With these and other interventions, the Export Max III partners expect the companies to achieve 50% average growth in export sales over 3 years, access at least one new export market, and at least 15 major trade leads generated per company.

Committed to increasing exports

Diane Edwards, President of JAMPRO said that she was pleased with the diverse selection for the programme, which now includes more companies from the Creative Industries, and a medical cannabis enterprise. She also re-emphasised JAMPRO’s commitment to exporters by saying, “JAMPRO is committed to supporting Jamaica’s exporters, and since 2011, Export Max has been the vehicle that we have used to take many export ready companies to market.  We will continue to do so, and expand our support to further help Jamaica’s exporters to find routes to market, achieve sustainable market presence, and grow market share. The export business is a marathon, not a sprint, so we and our partners, the JBDC and JMEA, are here to support these enterprises for the long haul.”

Richard Pandohie, President of the JMEA, said, “The 48 companies are getting the support of three agencies; JAMPRO, JMEA and JBDC, a powerful alliance coming together to make this program an indisputable success. We are better when we work together; Jamaica is better when we work together.  I know that our efforts will produce results that will make a difference; it has to; Jamaica needs exports for sustainable economic growth, to create quality jobs, and to continue to build brand Jamaica by sending our products to every nook and cranny of the global village.”

The JBDC, which will be responsible for many of the programme’s capacity building initiatives, said it was pleased to support the programme because of its ability to introduce Jamaican brands to new markets. Ms Valerie Viera, CEO of the JBDC said “At JBDC, when we say ‘From Concept to Market’, we are thinking beyond borders. Therefore, we are well poised to play a significant role in Export Max III by delivering effective business development intervention to the entrepreneurs under this programme. We are pleased to partner with JAMPRO and the JMEA in what is shaping up to be a historic move to further strengthen Brand Jamaica abroad. Partnerships are critical in this line of business, as we pursue a common goal towards economic development for our country.”

The Export Max III Programme will end in 2022 and is sponsored by the Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth Project (FCGP), the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), ) the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ),  Scotiabank, Trade Management Services Limited, Jamaica Productivity Centre, Dewar Wiggan & Partners, HEART TRUST NTA, Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and JN Small Business Loans.

The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO)’s mission is to drive economic development through growth in investment and export. JAMPRO is an Agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.

About Export Max

The Export Max initiative was launched in 2011 as a mechanism to assist Jamaican exporters and export-ready companies with capacity building and market penetration support.  In its initiation, the objective of the programme was to build the internal capacities of the participating companies so that they would be more competitively placed to take advantage of market opportunities and in so-doing increase export sales.

The Export Max programme has received international recognition with JAMPRO being awarded the Best Trade Promotion Organization under the Small Island Developing State category by the World Trade Promotion Organization (WTPO) for this initiative in 2012.

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