Market intelligence portal being developed for exporters
Published:Sunday | November 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Avia Collinder, Business Writer
JAMPRO is building a market intelligence portal for exporters that it says should be operational by year end.
"The decision to create a web portal follows on the suggestion by Minister Tufton that there be a greater focus on market intelligence in the NES' attempt to provide exporters with timely and current market information for overseas markets," Marjorie Straw, manager of special projects, planning and corporate development with the investment promotions agency, said last Wednesday.
The web-based information source on goods in demand is being developed in phases by the National Export Strategy (NES) secretariat operated by JAMPRO.
It is expected to be operational by December 31, and accessible through the Export Centres and Business Information Points (EC/BIP) website at www.ecbip.com .
"During the first phase, data will be comprised mainly of overseas buyers and distributors, the products they offer and the markets in which they operate," said Straw.
The portal will eventually capture information related to trade regulations/barriers and other market access issues; labelling and packaging requirements; demand for local goods and services; and market trend analyses.
Exporters targeted include the 225 members of the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA). The association represents a range of sectors, including agri-business, apparel, building products, beverages, chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, electronics, furniture and crafts, and the service industries.
"The key stakeholders in the NES are in close collaboration to ensure that comprehensive information regarding overseas markets is updated regularly to the portal. The creation of a comprehensive market intelligence web portal for exporters is also in keeping with what is practised in export-ready economies across the world," said Straw.
The collaborators on the market intelligence portal include JAMPRO, JEA, Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.