World TPO Awards 2008

Best TPO from a Small Country

Jamaica’s trade promotion organization, Jamaica Trade & Invest (JTI/JAMPRO) won the Award for the Best TPO from a Small Country, for the second time.

Jamaica is focusing on improving competitiveness by developing its trade and export industry. Established in 1998, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI/JAMPRO) brought together three institutions under an export promotion mandate.

JTI has launched a dialogue with key stakeholders to develop a unified national export strategy. The objectives of the strategy are to advance the competitiveness of firms and sectors, while improving the business and trade environment to boost Jamaica’s export performance.

JTI has increased its revenue generation activities to sustain services on offer and has implemented a wide range of human resource development activities to strengthen the organization’s outreach and client focus.

Responding to changing market needs

JTI has reformulated client services to meet changing market needs. For example, it set up a web portal for buyers and suppliers. A new Cluster & Linkages Department is helping businesses take advantage of opportunities offered by working in clusters and is linking local suppliers to foreign investors, particularly in the booming tourism industry. Other areas of achievement include setting up an Export Centre and Business Information Points, together with the Caribbean Business Opportunity Service. JTI is better serving its clients through its Corporate Finance Broker Unit, which helps companies to access finance.

JTI is also taking the lead in advocating for an enabling export environment and has commissioned a Strategic Plan for the Export of Professional Services that will be integrated into the national export strategy.