Durrant Pate/Contributor

Investment Minister Aubyn Hill leads his third official Jamaican business mission to Guyana, now underway to enable increased exports of Jamaican goods and services and facilitate linkages.

The next stop in this two-nation tour is Suriname.

The business mission, which commenced yesterday (May 12), runs until May 18 and forms an integral part of the ministry’s ongoing strategy to lead export-focused missions to lessen Jamaica’s import-export trade gap and bolster further economic growth.

The Jamaican delegation spans varied small- and large-scale companies across priority sectors including manufacturing, agro-processing/agribusiness, mining, technology and the services industry. This will be the first ministerial mission to Suriname, one of the major trading partners with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). 

In 2021, Jamaica exported over US$6 million worth of goods to Suriname, paving the way for further business opportunities.  Jamaica’s investment promotions agency, JAMPRO notes that following previous missions to Guyana and other countries, Jamaican businesses achieved successful outcomes, thereby benefiting the local economy.

Shullette Cox, president of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), is optimistic that these missions will generate fruitful partnerships that will foster export growth across the sectors. For his part, Minister Hill is adamant that by increasing productivity, Jamaica positions itself to enter global markets and showcase the country’s excellence worldwide.