The targeted industries of the National Export Strategy are:

Agro-processing (Food & Beverages)
The international demand for Jamaica’s unique and diverse range of food products continues to grow, with exports increasing by 43% in 2008. The agro-processing industry, within the wider industry of manufacturing, contributes to adding value to Jamaican agricultural products as well as to employment opportunities in rural areas. The objectives for the agro-processing industry are to i) increase exports by 15% each year by improving access to overseas buyers ii) introduce five (5) new products to the export market by 2012 iii) drive the adoption of full global best practices by 60% of the industry iv) improve Jamaica Agro Processors Association (JAPA) so that it is an effective and vibrant association.

Aquaculture
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs have been one of Jamaica’s best performing exports in the non-traditional export category, making the aquaculture industry a potential champion export for Jamaica with growth opportunities for production and export. The objectives for the aquaculture industry centre on improving production efficiencies, while reducing costs of production, ultimately resulting in i) improved growth rate of fish by 10-20% ii) improved feed conversion (from 2 to 1.5) iii) increased profitability of firms by 20% iv) increased recovery from 70% to 80% (world average) by 2011 v) significant improvement in brood stock quality (hardiness and fecundity) vi) reduced losses from theft vii) increased export value of 15% annually viii) increased acceptability and accessibility of Tilapia as a main protein source.

Coffee
Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee, one of the island’s top ten exports, remains an iconic brand globally and a symbol of quality product from Jamaica. There is significant export potential that may be realised from both increased production and export volume, increased value of export by expanding the percentage of value added production locally, as well as development of value-added products.

The industry objectives for coffee are to i) access new market niches in at least three countries ii) increase the volume of exports by 20% (iii) improve ‘clean bean’ yield to 980 kilograms per hectare (from 590) iv) increase premium exports to 45% of total (green bean) export (from 23% baseline) v) increase sales to the tourism industry by 15%.

Education
Jamaica has an active and vibrant education industry with a number of well-established public and private institutions and a range of study offerings in an attractive location. This industry has strong growth potential and could develop a viable education export industry capable of providing significant foreign exchange earnings.

The objectives for the Education industry are to i) achieve export earnings of over US$30 million ii) attract 1,000 additional extra-regional students at tertiary institutions with differential fee structures per year iii) attract 1,000 additional regional students at tertiary institutions with homogenous fee structures per year iv) attract three foreign English language training (ELT) providers to Jamaica and increase the number of ELT students by 500.

Entertainment
Jamaica is known globally for its cultural and creative industries, which are a major contributor to the local economy. Within the Creative Industries, Dance, Drama, Film and Music are among the strongest export services and have the greatest potential to promote our culture and creativity. Estimates of music export earnings are as high as US$100 million, while film location projects may contribute US$14 million to the local economy.

The objectives for the entertainment industry are to i) increase music exports by US$50 million over five years ii) increase exports across the industry by 20% annually iii) strengthen the industry by focusing on the formalisation and development of enterprises iv) enhance the institutions that support the industry to improve coordination and business approach to its development.

Fashion, Jewellery, Accessories
Jamaica’s vibrant fashion industry may be considered the strongest goods producing industry in Jamaica’s creative industries. Jamaica’s total export figures for the apparel and jewellery industries include items manufactured locally for international firms as well as the export of items not manufactured locally, but not captured as re-exports, such as wristwatches.

The objectives for the fashion, jewellery and accessories industry are to i) develop a strong national fashion cluster that will be sustained following the termination of the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) ii) create a competitive fashion industry producing quality garments to international-level standards to meet market demands iii) create a nationally and regionally prominent industry based on the increased awareness of the Jamaican cluster iv) increase production of locally designed and manufactured fashion products.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
As a recognised leader in ICT services in the region as well as in target markets, Jamaica has the opportunity to build on this position and tap into the large US market. Jamaica has an active ICT industry centred on software development services and the largest call centre industry in the region. Exporting is already taking place across the segments of this market, with exports from the call centre industry alone conservatively estimated to be between US$300-400 million.

The objectives for the ICT industry are to i) double annual contact centre/Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) exports by US$150 million ii) establish a venture capital fund to support the ICT industry iii) attract 15 foreign contact centre/BPO service providers to the country iv) facilitate the set-up of at least five local BPO service providers v) establish an association representing 60% of firms in the industry within the first two years of implementing the NES.

Mining
Jamaica has a range of commercially exploitable minerals, including a wide variety of limestone, hard volcanic rocks, bauxite, marble, base and precious metals, sand and gravel. These minerals are of major significance to Jamaica’s economic development, particularly their contribution to the national economy, their impact on, and linkages with other industries, and their overall contribution to GDP. In fact, since 1985 the Minerals Industry has contributed at least 5.2% to Jamaica’s annual GDP.

The industry objectives for mining are to i) increase mineral exploitation, value-added production, local consumption and export of minerals and mineral products, and to expand and modernize the minerals industry ii) ensure the effective management of mineral resources iii) develop a modern legislative framework and supporting institutions which enable continued development of the minerals industry iv) create a strong and profitable industry.