Author: Jmea

Jamaican Delegation Arrives in Tokyo for FOODEX Japan: Asia’s Premier Food Trade Show

Posted on by Jmea

A Jamaican delegation comprising Associated Manufacturers Limited (Walkerswood), Seprod Limited, Jamaican Teas Limited, and Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Limited, has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the 49th International Food and Beverage Exhibition (FOODEX Japan 2024), Asia’s largest food trade show. The event is set to commence today, March 5, 2024, at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre, through to March 8.

Led by Richard Pandohie, Past President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), the delegation arrived on site yesterday to set up their booths under the banner of the National Pavilion, “Taste of Jamaica,” with the objective of showcasing the vibrant flavours and rich culinary heritage of Jamaica to the Asian market.

“I feel a tremendous sense of pride in leading the Jamaican delegation to FOODEX Japan 2024, the largest food and beverage expo in Asia. Last year, through the tremendous effort of the Jamaican Embassy to Japan, a team from the JMEA was able to observe firsthand what FOODEX is about and the potential opportunities it offers to Jamaican exporters,” said Pandohie.

Pandohie highlighted that this year’s participation was made possible through collaborative efforts by Jamaican Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards and her team, support from the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce (MIIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO), the JMEA and the Japan Manufacturers Association.

The tastes of Jamaica will be on full display as the companies seek to increase the presence of Jamaica’s premium food and beverage products in the Japanese and other markets. Walkerswood is set to feature its jerk seasonings, green seasoning, curry paste, and pepper sauces, with the sampling of jerk chicken prepared using its seasoning. Jamaican Teas Limited will showcase their variety of teas and soup mixes, with samples of their soups available for tasting. Seprod Limited will present their festival mix, Delite sorrel juice drink, and Supligen liquid meal supplements. Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Limited will exhibit their premium coffee-infused rum cakes and chocolates.

Pandohie highlighted that Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee has been a tremendous success in Japan, paving the way for other Jamaican products to get a piece of Japan’s US$800 billion food and beverage market.

He added, “I am excited and nervous about the business possibilities; but just being here is already a win. We are demonstrating that Jamaica is about enhancing bilateral trade with Japan, especially in the year that both countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations. We are demonstrating that Jamaican companies are serious about doing business on the biggest platforms globally.”

With a primary emphasis on boosting exports and broadening market penetration, the delegation aims to leverage the robust demand in Japan for Jamaican products, including coffee, rums, spirits, seasonings, and condiments.

Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards said, “We are thrilled to represent Jamaica at FOODEX Japan 2024 and very eager to introduce Japanese consumers to the exceptional quality and diversity of Jamaican food and beverage products.”

Additionally, she disclosed that several companies within the delegation have already finalized meetings with potential buyers to delve into market entry opportunities. Furthermore, she has coordinated a supermarket observation tour which will offer the delegation invaluable insights into the Japanese retail landscape.

The event will kick off with an opening ceremony on March 5, where Jamaica will be represented by Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards and Richard Pandohie. On Wednesday, March 6, Ambassador Richards will also host a cocktail reception to provide a valuable opportunity for the delegation to network with Japanese government officials and private sector entities.

This will be Jamaica’s second participation in FOODEX Japan, with the first being 23 years ago when JAMPRO led a group including coffee producers Salada Foods, Jamaica Coffee Company, Coffee Industries, Jamaica Standard Products, jerk sauce producers Suntrax Enterprises, and GraceKennedy Ltd. Since then, Jamaica has reaped substantial rewards, with Japan becoming the top market for Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee.

Organized by the Japan Manufacturers Association (JMA), FOODEX Japan attracts over 70,000 visitors, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, wholesalers, grocery stores, food service and hospitality industries, fast-food chains, convenience stores, distributors, importers, agents, and brokers. The four-day trade show boasts more than 2,500 exhibitors from over 70 countries, offering a dynamic platform for international trade and collaboration.

JMEA and Honey Bun Foundation Announce One-Year SME Accelerator Programme

Posted on by Jmea

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) and the Honey Bun Foundation have announced the second iteration of a one-year Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) development programme aimed at stimulating growth in the country’s SME sector.

During the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing, President of the JMEA, Sydney Thwaites, stated, “I am delighted to endorse the second iteration of the SME Accelerator Programme. The programme will be guided by the Advisory Committee Model developed by The Honey Bun Foundation, which the JMEA will adopt. This initiative ensures that member companies, with 70 percent categorized as ‘small companies,’ have access to the expertise needed for expansion and job creation in Jamaica.”

The Honey Bun Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Honey Bun Limited, developed the Advisory Committee Model as part of its mandate to create various business empowerment models for SMEs to help them grow and thrive. The one-year program will focus on numerous initiatives to facilitate the development and growth of SMEs. This includes pairing qualifying SMEs with teams of expert advisors from various fields. The SMEs will follow the guidance of the experts for a period of 12 months, utilizing a strategic roadmap developed by the Foundation.

General Manager of The Honey Bun Foundation Nashauna Lalah, said at the signing, “This is how you effect real change in the sector-by collaborating. I am happy that having done a test model in 2023, the JMEA has seen the value of The Honey Bun Foundation’s Advisory Committee model and how it can benefit its members.”

Sydney Thwaites expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I feel very strongly about my experience with the Honey Bun Foundation and what I saw in the methodology, the structure, the caring, the accountability. I think it’s the best process I’ve seen, and so I was very excited to get on board with the JMEA. I look forward to the JMEA being able to gain an extension of the foundation and ensure we carry it out in the spirit in which it was created.”

Executive Director of the JMEA, Kamesha Blake, said, “When we look at the structure of the programme, we see that it has great value and impact. Thus, it wasn’t a question of whether we would continue; rather, it’s a matter of how we can scale and encourage more members to sign on. As we progress through this cohort, we contemplate scaling even further because the more members we impact, the greater the opportunity for that multiplier effect, which is crucial for everyone. Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart and soul of our economy. If they succeed, so too does our economy and so I welcome all initiatives and measures that help SMEs realize their full potential”.

The SME Accelerator Programme is set to kickstart later this month and will match five JMEA member companies from four sectors—Beauty and Cosmetics, Food and Beverage, Digital Service Provider, and Construction. The goal is to upscale the SMEs, drive job creation, and increase economic activity.

Having mapped out the programme in 2022 through test studies, this is the third full cohort for the Foundation and the first for the JMEA. The Foundation continues its quest to have the model adopted by other Business Support Organizations so that more SMEs across the island can benefit not only by growing their business to profitability but also by grounding them in sound Corporate Governance practices.

 

About JMEA

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. Our aim is to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Jamaican businesses and the economy.

 

-end-

For more information, please contact:

Shanique Gordon, Marketing, PR & Events Manager

Email: shanique@jmea.org | Phone:876-817-5638

 

Jamaica Strengthens Economic Ties with Courtesy Visit to Japanese Ambassador Ahead of FOODEX Japan

Posted on by Jmea

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) took a significant step towards enhancing economic cooperation and bilateral trade between Jamaica and Japan with a courtesy visit to His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica. This visit sets the stage for FOODEX Japan 2024, Asia’s largest food trade show scheduled for March 5-8, 2024.

During the visit, discussions focused on identifying export opportunities, emphasising high-quality Jamaican products. The conversations revealed a strong demand in Japan for Jamaican products such as coffee, rums, spirits, seasonings, and condiments. Consideration was also given to non-food products with potential success in the Japanese market.

Sydney Thwaites, President of the JMEA, emphasized the strategic significance of FOODEX Japan, stating, “FOODEX Japan serves as an invaluable platform for our members to showcase their products and explore new business prospects in the Asian market. As Jamaica and Japan celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relationship, these initiatives underscore the commitment to building enduring economic and cultural bridges between the two nations, with both countries always aiming to treat each other as equals and seek win-win cooperation.”

In collaboration with Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards, Jamaica Ambassador to Japan, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), and the Jamaica Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO), the JMEA will lead the execution of a National Pavilion, “Taste of Jamaica” featuring four local companies: Seprod Ltd, Jamaican Teas Ltd, Associated Manufacturers Ltd (Walkerswood), and Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Ltd.

Organized by the Japan Manufacturers Association (JMA), the three-day trade show will take place at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center. FOODEX Japan, the largest annual food trade show in Asia, attracts over 70,000 visitors, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, wholesalers, grocery stores, food service and hospitality, fast-food chains, convenience stores, distributors, importers, and agents & brokers. The event hosts more than 2,500 exhibitors from 70 countries.

Looking ahead to FOODEX Japan, Kamesha Blake, Executive Director of the JMEA, highlighted the trade show’s significance, “This event is a gateway to the Japanese and Asian food markets, offering an excellent opportunity for Jamaica to capitalize on cultural connections, expanding market reach even in areas such as tourism and sports.”

This will be Jamaica’s second participation in FOODEX Japan, with the first being in 2001 when JAMPRO led a group including coffee producers Salada Foods, Jamaica Coffee Company, Coffee Industries, Jamaica Standard Products, jerk sauce producers Suntrax Enterprises, and Grace Kennedy Ltd. Since then, Jamaica has reaped substantial rewards, with Japan becoming the top market for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.

 

About JMEA

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. Our aim is to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Jamaican businesses and the economy.

 

-end-

For more information, please contact:

Shanique Gordon, Marketing, PR & Events Manager

Email: shanique@jmea.org | Phone:876-817-5638

JOIN
NOW ADVERTISE
WITH US