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Patrick Foster, Business Observer writer fosterp@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Faced with the need to earn more foreign exchange to offset Jamaica's growing import bill, Karl Samuda is recommending that the Caymanas land currently under sugar-cane cultivation could be used to establish an industrial park to help propel exports.
"Why waste money on lands continuing to grow sugar cane that comes to nothing," said the industry minister, speaking last Thursday at the Jamaica Exporters Association's (JEA's) annual general meeting held at The Knutsford Court hotel in Kingston.
Samuda believes the section of the Caymanas lands now used to grow sugar cane, which is owned by the government, could be developed into a large-scale industrial park similar to those in many far-east countries.
"I see bus-loads of people going to and from work each day. working in factories providing all types of goods and services."
He argued that the Caymanas land was ideally positioned for such a development with its easy access to shipping and the vast labour pools of Kingston and Portmore.
Already, Tinson Pen Aerodrome is slated for relocation to Caymanas to make way for the expansion of the Kingston port facility and the establishment of a free trade area along Marcus Garvey Drive.
"That move is firm and the funds already earmarked," Samuda told the Business Observer, although he was reluctant to give details of the cost of the move.
"I reject the notion that we cannot be a great manufacturing country," Samuda told the meeting.
Samuda's optimism is based on what he says is Jamaica's proximity to the largest world market and a critical need for the country to export in order to survive.
He cited global challenges, such as the rising price of crude oil and a trade deficit that stood at over US$1.8 billion between January to June 2007.
"What country of our size can survive if we don't contain it. our economy is in trouble, let's not play games," said Samuda, adding that the local manufacturing and service sectors would have to be refocused into exporting.
"It is more difficult today to survive on the domestic market than it ever was," Samuda told the businessmen.
He charged that training would have to be an integral part of any industrial development and suggested that tax incentives could be given to employers who facilitated training for their workers.
In the meantime, Marjory Kennedy, president of the JEA, said that total exports improved over last year and between January and July 2007 stood at approximately US$1.4 billion.
"This figure represents an increase of US$222 million, or 19.2 per cent over the corresponding period last year".
Traditional exports were valued at US$968.5 million, increasing by US$160.2 million or 19.8 per cent, while non-traditional exports for January to July were valued at US$387.1 million, growing by US$54.2 million or 16.3 per cent, according to Kennedy.
"Given the challenging socio-economic environment we are generally pleased with these figures and the performance of the sector," she said.
Kennedy added that the JEA was currently working with the the industry ministry to establish a National Export Strategy, which will be developed by April 2008.
"This is a unified national strategy to advance the competitiveness of firms and sectors while enhancing the business and trade environment in order to improve Jamaica's export performance," Kennedy explained.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Faced with the need to earn more foreign exchange to offset Jamaica's growing import bill, Karl Samuda is recommending that the Caymanas land currently under sugar-cane cultivation could be used to establish an industrial park to help propel exports.
"Why waste money on lands continuing to grow sugar cane that comes to nothing," said the industry minister, speaking last Thursday at the Jamaica Exporters Association's (JEA's) annual general meeting held at The Knutsford Court hotel in Kingston.
Samuda believes the section of the Caymanas lands now used to grow sugar cane, which is owned by the government, could be developed into a large-scale industrial park similar to those in many far-east countries.
"I see bus-loads of people going to and from work each day. working in factories providing all types of goods and services."
He argued that the Caymanas land was ideally positioned for such a development with its easy access to shipping and the vast labour pools of Kingston and Portmore.
Already, Tinson Pen Aerodrome is slated for relocation to Caymanas to make way for the expansion of the Kingston port facility and the establishment of a free trade area along Marcus Garvey Drive.
"That move is firm and the funds already earmarked," Samuda told the Business Observer, although he was reluctant to give details of the cost of the move.
"I reject the notion that we cannot be a great manufacturing country," Samuda told the meeting.
Samuda's optimism is based on what he says is Jamaica's proximity to the largest world market and a critical need for the country to export in order to survive.
He cited global challenges, such as the rising price of crude oil and a trade deficit that stood at over US$1.8 billion between January to June 2007.
"What country of our size can survive if we don't contain it. our economy is in trouble, let's not play games," said Samuda, adding that the local manufacturing and service sectors would have to be refocused into exporting.
"It is more difficult today to survive on the domestic market than it ever was," Samuda told the businessmen.
He charged that training would have to be an integral part of any industrial development and suggested that tax incentives could be given to employers who facilitated training for their workers.
In the meantime, Marjory Kennedy, president of the JEA, said that total exports improved over last year and between January and July 2007 stood at approximately US$1.4 billion.
"This figure represents an increase of US$222 million, or 19.2 per cent over the corresponding period last year".
Traditional exports were valued at US$968.5 million, increasing by US$160.2 million or 19.8 per cent, while non-traditional exports for January to July were valued at US$387.1 million, growing by US$54.2 million or 16.3 per cent, according to Kennedy.
"Given the challenging socio-economic environment we are generally pleased with these figures and the performance of the sector," she said.
Kennedy added that the JEA was currently working with the the industry ministry to establish a National Export Strategy, which will be developed by April 2008.
"This is a unified national strategy to advance the competitiveness of firms and sectors while enhancing the business and trade environment in order to improve Jamaica's export performance," Kennedy explained.
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