Minister of Industry and Investment Senator Aubyn Hill is readying a delegation of businessmen and representatives from agencies within his ministry to participate in an export and investment business mission to Guyana and Suriname later this month.

The mission, which will cover both countries, is slated for May 12-18.

Shullette Cox, president of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) confirmed to Our Today in a telephone interview that 48 companies have so far expressed interest in Guyana and 38 for Suriname. The companies that confirmed their participation are from the technology, manufacturing, agro-business, business services, logistics and mining industries.

“There are some repeat — very few repeat companies — but most of these are new companies,” the Jampro president outlined, adding that participants consist of a mix of large and small enterprises.

Representatives of the Jamaica Special Economic Zones Authority, Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation, and the National Certification Body of Jamaica will also participate in the trade mission.

While pointing out that the delegates will be engaging with businesses in Guyana and Suriname, Cox noted that, “We are working with the chambers of commerce and the manufacturing associations in both countries to set up B2B (business to business) arrangements.”

She anticipates that the B2B meetings will generate export opportunities for Jamaican businesses as well as stimulate partnerships between the local companies and their South American counterparts.

This is the third mission to Guyana that Minister Hill will lead following trips in 2022 and 2023; however, this is his first trade mission to Suriname. He told Stabroek News that the success stories coming out of the last two visits were the reason for a third.

According to Cox, “We had several companies that were able to establish business relationships and we did a few shipments of aggregates. Our tech sector got a few contracts down there as well, as well as goods exports.”

When asked if business leaders heading to the Dutch-speaking country will have to overcome a language barrier, she said that will not be an issue since most Surinamese speak English. 

Although the JAMPRO president believes that Suriname is a green market, she noted that there are opportunities for the export of Jamaican manufactured goods, especially food items.

Cox said that there’s still time for companies wishing to participate in the trade and investment business mission to reach out to JAMPRO.