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Overview

The Jamaica Manufacturers & Exporters Association (JMEA) is Jamaica’s leading industry association, serving as the voice of exporters, manufacturers, service providers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). We provide vital support to our members and the industry through advocacy, strategic partnerships, export services, research, capacity building, and access to finance. The JMEA is committed to promoting Jamaican brands, which we have done both locally and internationally through our “Buy Jamaican, Build Jamaica” Campaign, the biennial Expo Jamaica, and Jamaica International Exhibition (JIE) tradeshows, among other initiatives. Our aim is to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Jamaican businesses and the economy.

Vision & Mission

Mission

To strengthen our member companies through representation, services, support, and the leveraging of networks to ensure that the manufacturing and export sectors create sustainable growth and quality jobs for Jamaica.

Vision

Vision

To be the driving force for the productive sectors to advance a thriving manufacturing and export-led economy.

Our History

The Association was formed in 2018 from the merger of the 71-year-old Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) and the 52-year-old Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA). The JEA was primarily tasked with the growth and development of non-traditional exports in Jamaica and was the main repository for all export-related information. The JMA on the other hand had key oversight on serving, promoting, and advocating for the interests of the local manufacturing sector.

The merger has allowed the association to attain a wider national and international influence. This has also resulted in a more effective, holistic representation, and application of greater benefits to the overall membership and industry.

President’s Message

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s (JMEA) mandate is to support the development of manufacturers, exporters and service providers across multiple sectors throughout Jamaica. The JMEA is rooted in a rich legacy, built on the foundations of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) and the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA). This is a significant guiding force as we consistently tackle issues affecting our Membership and the wider productive sector. It is undeniable how much Jamaica and the world have changed in the past year since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to challenge the lingering effects and channel a state of resilient and sustainable recovery, it is important to ensure that manufacturing, export and services are provided with a voice so that we can influence the outcome of Government policies and plans. The JMEA team remains committed to playing its part in ensuring that this is made a reality as we look forward to putting in motion our 10-point Export Plan and the National 5 Year Manufacturing Growth Strategy. These will be aimed at aggressively targeting areas such as regional export expansion, improving tax relief mechanisms, strengthening of logistics and supply chains, improving policies affecting growth and ease of doing business, boosting the growth potential of SMEs, developing partnerships and capacity building programmes to spur industry competitiveness, among others. The opportunity to serve as President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) is a great honour. I commend the team for the dedicated work that has been put in place to drive the creation of a space where our productive sector has a voice.  The work continues and I am excited by the great things we will accomplish together as we empower ‘Brand Jamaica’ through advancing the concept of ‘Producing Local and Exporting Global’. The JMEA Secretariat is committed to serving our Members and Jamaica. Please explore our website, provide any feedback and recommendations on how we can be even more effective in our mandate. Thank you for your support and we look forward to hearing from you.

President, JMEA

Executive Committee

  • President

    Mr. Sydney Thwaites

  • Deputy President

    Ms. Kathryn Silvera

  • Treasurer

    Mr. Robert Scott

  • Vice President

    Mr. Richard Coe

  • Vice President

    Mr. Stephen Dawkins

  • Vice President

    Mr. Cecil Foster

  • Vice President

    Ms. Clover Moodie

  • Vice President

    Ms. Kareema Muncey

  • Vice President

    Mr. Andrew Wildish

  • john-mahfood-jmea-president

    Immediate Past President

    Mr. John Mahfood

  • Executive Director

    Mrs. Kamesha Blake

Secretariat Executive Body

  • Sheneecia-Salmon

    Research, Policy & Advocacy Manager

    Ms. Sheneecia Salmon

  • Marketing, Public Relations, and Events Manager

    Ms. Shanique Gordon

  • Accountant

    Ms. Teisha Mitchell

  • Joy-Angulu

    Food and Beverage Industry Consulting Officer

    Ms. Joy Angulu

  • Shanice-Blake

    Membership Engagement Officer

    Ms. Shanice Blake

  • Omielo-Walker

    Engagement and Partnership Coordinator

    Mr. Omielo Walker

  • Membership Engagement Officer

    Ms. Alexcia DePass

  • Oshane-Knot

    Accounting Officer

    Mr. Oshane Knott

  • Alana-Harvey

    Digital Marketer

    Ms. Alana Harvey

  • Research and Policy Officer

    Ms. Shakera Brown

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