THE manufacture of pharmaceuticals and the distribution of medicine are two of the enterprises that could evolve from last week’s visit to Trelawny, of a trade mission from Atlanta, USA.

One member of the delegation, Pam Stanley told the Observer that she was very impressed with the tours of the factories, and that she was considering investing in a pharmaceutical plant.

“The plants were small but the ingenuity of the people was amazing,” she said.

Another member of the delegation, Sonia Balfour-Fears, the president of SRA Medical Supplies in Atlanta, said she learned that there was a need for more medical supplies in Jamaica, and was considering such an investment.

“I have spoken to doctors and chamber members and they have all expressed the view that there is a need for more players in that market,” Balfour-Fears said. She said that there were several local clinics and medical centres that were not being adequately supplied. She was therefore considering the possibility of setting up a company in Western Jamaica to distribute supplies throughout the island.

Chief executive officer for the Centre of Trade and Technological Transfer based in Atlanta, George Brown expressed optimism that both Jamaica and Atlanta would benefit from the recent visit.

“I am confident that something will come out of our visit, we have had some positive results,” Brown told the Observer.

Brown’s team has held dialogue with players representing several industries and will be examining a number of investment proposals to determine which was feasible.

The delegation met with members of the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce and Industry and were taken on tours of the Carib Metal Works factory and the Reggae to Wear garment factory in the parish.

Meanwhile, president of the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Florence Logan, said while she does not believe that there is going to be a massive influx of investment in the parish as a result of the visit, she is confident that the parish will derive some benefits especially in the areas of information and technology

“The members of the delegation were mostly interested in trade, not any significant investment,” Logan said.