Let us think bigger, together!

AS PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA), I am proud and excited to welcome you all to Expo Jamaica 2016. Now in its 43rd year, Expo is the result of a collaboration of The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, the JEA, and JAMPRO. This year’s theme: The Business Hub of the Caribbean is fitting, as it engages the unification of all aligned associations both private and public, and is not a responsibility to be taken lightly.

Jamaica is known as a God-blessed island for many reasons, and we need not list them now except to refer to them collectively as, Brand Jamaica. One of these blessings is our geographic location within the Caribbean which provides us with the best opportunity to be the fourth largest logistic hubs in the world preceded by Panama, Rotterdam and Dubai.

A logistics hub is a highlevel business concept, which allows Jamaicans to service the multiple needs of international businesses who would import and export from our shores. Because of our geographic location in the Caribbean, our proximity to the planned enlarged Panama Canal, and our deep shipping ports, we provide some of the greatest business opportunities for worldwide business. These logistics need to be coupled with our country’s business environment that must support ease of business, technology and a business-ready infrastructure. We must have laws and policies that facilitate the development and speed of development of these critical areas.

My fellow Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica, the concept of a logistics hub is not a thing of the future. We are already a logistics hub. We need now to recognise what this means and the limitless opportunities that are presented! Each of us is sitting on an untapped gold mine, regardless of what we do!

As you browse through the bounty of authentic Jamaican offerings at Expo 2016, I invite you to dream of the possibilities for our local businesses as we continue toward making Jamaica an international centre for shipping and commerce of all kinds.

As our JEA tagline states, ‘Let Us Think Bigger. Together’. Michelle Chong President JEA