From left: Lisa Bell, deputy president of Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI/JAMPRO), talks with the Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce and His Excellency Chen Jinghua, Resident Ambassador of China to Jamaica, about Jamaica's preparation for the upcoming Expo Shanghai during the recent Business Information Forum staged at the Trafalgar Road office of JAMPRO.

With the largest expo in world history set to take place in Shanghai, China from May 1 to October 31, Jamaica Trade & Invest (JTI/JAMPRO) has ramped up its efforts to apprise local exporters of the business opportunities that exist in the world’s fastest growing economy by staging a Business Information Forum on January 13.
 
The forum, which was hosted at the agency’s Trafalgar Road office, provided exporters with valuable research-driven information on the various aspects of doing business with China and the market requirements for including their products in the Brand Jamaica Booth, which will be a part of the CARICOM Pavilion at Expo Shanghai 2010. Seventy million visitors are expected to attend this six-month long event, which is being held under the theme “Better City, Better Life”.

Based on research conducted by JTI, products such as spices, condiments, rums, beers, art and crafts, apparel and coffee are likely to do well in China. According to Dr. Dana Morris, Jamaica’s National Coordinator for Expo Shanghai 2010 and manager of JTI’s Caribbean, Latin America & Emerging Markets Regional Office, JTI will be providing local exporters with as much assistance as possible to allow them to showcase their products and services in China.

Dr. Dana Morris, Jamaica’s National Coordinator for Expo Shanghai 2010 and manager of JTI’s Caribbean, Latin America & Emerging Markets Regional Office.

“One of the most important components of entering into any new market is information and that is really what JTI is providing at this forum. We are hoping that many of our exporters will find the Chinese market to be lucrative and we are willing to work with them to bring about their success,” stated Dr. Morris.

In his address to the gathering at the forum, the Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, urged local exporters to ensure that every product taken to China is of the highest quality. He called for the creation of a unique overarching country brand for Jamaica and expressed the hope that Jamaica’s participation in the expo will result in “an improved balance of trade with China”.

His Excellency Chen Jinghua, Resident Ambassador of China to Jamaica, commended JTI/JAMPRO for its coordinating efforts geared towards exploring every business opportunity and showcasing Brand Jamaica at the upcoming expo. He noted that Expo Shanghai would provide a significant platform for innovative and special products, cultural interaction, commercial opportunities and people-to-people exchange.

"Jamaica’s participation in Expo Shanghai represents a new chapter in mutual understanding and friendship between Jamaica and China," stated Ambassador Jinghua.

Exporters interested in participating in Expo Shanghai 2010 are being asked to pay a cost of US$700 (J$62,300). Formal notification of their interest must be indicated to JTI by January 20 and their labels must be delivered to the agency for translation by February 2. Delivery of products to JTI for shipment must also be done by February 22.

From left: Winston Stona of Busha Browne, manufacturers sauces and seasonings, talks with Marjorie Kennedy of the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA) and Jason Hall, deputy director of tourism, cruise, events and attractions at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), about the export possibilities at China's Expo Shanghai, which will be held from May 1 to October 31.

During Expo Shanghai 2010, JTI will seek to build on the publicity and goodwill garnered by Jamaica’s athletes at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 by working diligently to bring business opportunities to Jamaican exporters and attract the interest of Chinese investors. In promoting business links between Jamaica and China, JTI will also seek to use the expo to position Jamaica as the hub of the region for culture, trade and investment.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has indicated that he will be travelling to China in February to explore trade and investment opportunities for Jamaica. Minister Samuda has stated that he will be accompanying Mr. Golding on the trip in February.

Jamaica's participation in Expo Shanghai 2010 is an inter-ministerial effort involving the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, Ministry of Tourism (Jamaica Tourist Board) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

From right: Christopher Lue, consulting architect, raises a question on Jamaica's participation in the upcoming Expo Shanghai in China at the Business Information Forum held on January 13 at the offices of JTI/JAMPRO. Seated beside him are Lloyd Sterling of The Jerk Place and Latoya Gordon of Rebel Unit Clothing.