Caribbean News
Industry Minister Calls on Jamaicans to Increase Productivity
#MontegoBay, Jamaica, March 26, 2024 – Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, has emphasised the need for Jamaica to ramp up its productivity and supply of goods and services to meet both international and local demand.
Speaking at the opening of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Expo 2024, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, on March 22, Mr. Hill argued that the country does not have “a market problem but a supply problem”, and as such is urging Jamaican businesses and entrepreneurs to focus on the supply side.
He highlighted the potential for Jamaica to become a major export hub in the Caribbean, sharing insights from his visits to Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Miami, in the United States, where there was a high demand for Jamaican goods, including ackee, mango, avocado and breadfruit.
“Their big cry was we want more of Jamaican goods. Goya, a big brand in the United States, wanted twenty 40-foot containers of ackee. Sadly, they could only get one. That doesn’t hold the market for you,” Senator Hill explained.
“They want mangoes such as East Indian and they want containers of it. They want avocado and breadfruit. So, with that kind of
market available, what are you waiting for?” he added.
The Minister acknowledged challenges, such as praedial larceny, but encouraged farmers to treat agriculture as a business, utilising security as well as agronomists and proper resources to improve production.
He also pointed out that businesses can borrow from Jamaican banks to invest in and grow their enterprises.
Mr. Hill noted the increase from US$5,000 to US$7,000 in per capita income over the past few years and stressed the need to further increase it to between US$9,000 and US$15,000 to enhance prosperity for Jamaicans.
He argued that for this to happen, businesses need to aim for high productivity as well as place greater importance on upskilling employees and investing in their training.
“Businesses don’t train enough in Jamaica. Some do, of course, but we want everyone to do it. If you’re a small business and you’re only cooking lunch and you hire one person, make sure you train them properly so that they can do the thing well,” Mr. Hill said.
Additionally, Mr. Hill said that an increase in Jamaica’s productivity will surely attract more foreign investments, as it signals stability and profitability to investors.
In the meantime, Minister Hill is calling for the establishment of processing plants and cold-storage facilities to add value to agricultural products. He envisions Jamaica as a logistics centre, exporting more products to drive economic growth.
He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting businesses through the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, which offers 20 agencies to assist entrepreneurs in various aspects of business development.
The three-day Expo was held under the theme ‘Future Forward: Shaping Tomorrow’s Business Today’.
This year’s biennial trade show provided a platform for over 125 businesses to showcase their products and services, fostering networking and collaboration among industry players.
Contact: Okoye Henry
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister-of-Industry-Investment-and-Commerce-Senator-Aubyn-Hill
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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