President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association Sydney Thwaites is keen on the manufacturing industry achieving substantial growth despite a history of low growth and a confluence of inhibitors.

Thwaites expressed this aspiration at the beginning of the JMEA Manufacture 360° Conference at the AC Hotel Kingston on Thursday, May 29.

“It is a proud moment for all of us—not just because this forum has returned after a successful debut—but because it has returned by popular demand. That alone says a lot about where we are as an industry: we are hungry to grow, hungry to innovate, and committed to moving forward, together,” he told a full room.

The Manufacture 360° Conference was held under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Jamaican Manufacturing from All Angles”. Commenting on the theme, Thwaites said it reaffirms the JMEA’s “belief that to truly future-proof our industry, we must look at every angle—policy, technology, skills, sustainability, financing, exports, and sector integration.”

On this note, he asserted that the association cannot afford to approach the future one-dimensionally, adding that pace of technological change is too fast, the competition is too intense, and the opportunities too significant to miss the moment.

Moreover he pointed out that rather than witnessing the changes in the global industry, local manufacturers should instead shape it.

Referring to data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, the JMEA president said the manufacturing sector contributed $71.7 billion in real value-added output in 2024, representing a modest 1.4 per cent increase year-on-year.

“But beneath that figure lies a more complex story: while food and beverage manufacturing continues to show resilience, other segments remain under pressure from global supply chain disruptions, energy costs, inflationary forces, and tighter financing conditions. Exports remain a key concern, with domestic exports dipping slightly in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year. We are growing—but not fast enough. We are creating—but not scaling efficiently. And that is why we are here,” Thwaites said.

At the same time, he pointed out external threats: shifting global trade dynamics, geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, and the AI revolution are reshaping every sector.

“We cannot ignore the external realities…but as manufacturers and exporters, we are builders—builders of businesses, of brands, of bridges across markets. And we have a duty to evolve our mindset, sharpen our capabilities, and confront the future with action,” he added.

The challenges, he said, will be addressed by everyone attending the conference, as it was designed around the realities that all members face in some way.

“The answers will not come from a single source. They will come from everyone in this room: policy architects, sector leaders, academics, financiers, tech innovators, and our members on the ground—those navigating this journey in real time. And that is the power of this room—bringing together not just the right questions, but the right people to answer them. What we do here today must translate into action tomorrow. Because while the challenges are real, so too is the opportunity ahead of us,” Thwaites outlined.

The JMEA president contended that manufacturing in Jamaica is still a sector of tremendous potential, and so the question is not if we can compete globally but “if we are willing to do what it takes to compete.

“That means lobbying for better trade conditions, yes. But it also means being agile, adopting new technologies, strengthening our linkages with agriculture and tourism, and creating integrated value chains that work for everyone—from micro-producers to large conglomerates,” he stated.