Bright prospects for trade show

Laura Redpath, Senior Reporter

DESPITE RECENT clashes between the security forces and alleged gunmen in west Kingston effectively shutting down businesses for days in downtown Kingston, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO) is reporting an increase in interested buyers and recruiters who will be attending EXPO Jamaica.

EXPO Jamaica is on the road to becoming the biggest trade show of its kind in the country. It is a display of primarily Jamaican products and services to be held next month.

Omar Azan of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association said he knew of three buyers pulling out of the EXPO because of the recent civil unrest in west Kingston.

However, Mark Thomas, head of corporate communications for JAMPRO, said yesterday that the number of attending buyers and recruiters had climbed from 175 to 184.

"We have some very good business propositions from among these many companies that are exhibiting their wares at the EXPO," Thomas said.

Understands deterrent

The JAMPRO spokesman said he understood how seeing the news reports of the violence in west Kingston, from an international perspective, would be a deterrent.

"I'm telling these buyers there is still a very compelling reason to come to Jamaica to do business.

"I know times are difficult and challenging, but people do business with hot spots all over the world," Thomas said.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) is reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in losses in the local market.

"We don't have any firm figures yet," said Milton Samuda, president of the JCC.

In order to get a clear picture of how all businesses have been affected, Samuda said collaboration among other business umbrella organisations would be needed.

The Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) is more focused on human capital in the aftermath of the clashes, according to the president of the organisation, Wayne Chen.

"There are some members who are concerned, particularly those who have businesses and employees in the affected areas, that the workers were not able to go into work," said Wayne Chen, president of the JEF.

He said some workers - especially contract workers - were under financial stress, and was asking employers to look into financial assistance, as well as counselling.

"We know it has been a stressful and traumatic time for many, whether they have been directly or indirectly affected," Chen said.

The federation has also sent out a survey, seeking to determine the financial losses accumulated in the past week.

"We haven't got all the responses back. I would hate to speculate on (the losses) as it is early days."

Some Kingston businesses remained closed yesterday, including the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association, which reopens on Monday.

"I want to give it a little more time to cool down," Omar Azan said. "I don't want my staff getting caught in crossfire. I'd prefer to make sure it is a littler safer."