Playing a vital role in national development
ITIS opportune to again pause and salute the contribution of the members of this the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) for its focus on the economic development of Jamaican and its people. I, therefore, want to take this opportunity to again register my gratitude to the members of the JMEA for inviting this message for inclusion in the National Exporters’ Month supplement for 2018.
The JMEA and its predecessor organisations play a vital role in the economic development of Jamaica and in that regard, the merged organisation seeks new opportunities and markets for Jamaican products. The most fundamental purpose of the JMEA is its concentration on growth as a priority interest for Jamaica.
Not long ago, we had sought to create the environment necessary for growth and investment through a policy of a competitive exchange rate, which opened up the possibility for the production of new home-grown products to replace imports and for the production of new export lines that would not have existed before.
TANGIBLE EXAMPLES
In short order, we have witnessed the tangible examples of this possibility from the expansion of cassava to replace imported barley and the producers of animal feeds explored the replacement of imported corn and wheat with cassava and sorghum.
For its part, the JMEA has always maintained focused leadership at its core, leading the mission of the organisation and safeguarding the interest of Jamaica. The celebration of your activities for 2018 under the theme ‘We a go thrive, export filife’, telegraphs the present undertaking of the Association and its importance to the national project of growth and development.
I am pleased with the focus and attitude of the JMEA as it continues its advocacy for good governance and probity in our march for social justice for the less fortunate. The organisation rightly believes that a society with deficiencies in its application of social justice and transparency will face challenges in its effort to promote competitiveness and development.
It is for this reason that I share the vision of the JMEA of a quality society built on the foundation of a strong manufacturing sector.
I wish great success for the activities planned for the association’s celebration of National Exporters Month 2018. PETER D. PHILLIPS
Leader of the Opposition