September 2015 Issue Business View Caribbean

Business View Caribbean - September 2015 27 members to selling opportunities through its many networks and connections; identifies media and mar- keting opportunities that align with its member needs and negotiates promotions for them; and utilizes road shows, billboards, and press interviews to promote the Association’s work, and build “Brand Jamaica.” Perhaps most importantly, the JMA also partners with key institutions that are crucial to the growth and de- velopment of the manufacturing sector, such as the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, universities, and local experts. These stakeholders provide training to JMA members in the areas of best practices and market intelligence within their respective sub-sectors . The Association also works to improve overall export com- petitiveness, build capacity, and increase research and development within the manufacturing sector. Today, Pengelley claims that 100 percent of the island’s major manufacturers are JMA members, as are about 95 percent of the medium-sized ones. But there’s a potential pool of 500-600 smaller enterprises that he would like to target as potential new members, so the Association is currently putting a greater emphasis on attracting and supporting these businesses. “We’ve started a new initiative to bring in the small and me- dium entities into the Association. For $100 USD, they get full service, full membership, and we assist them with getting distribution.” In addition, Pengelley says that the JMA currently has a roster of 52 start-up com- panies that it is “encouraging and mentoring.” Pengelley would also like to see the JMA spread its ter- ritorial base. Right now, he admits that the Association is very Kingston-centric. But, he adds, “because our terson Gov. General and Brian: Our Governor General, Sir Pavtrick Allen examining a food item with Brian et al