IN an effort to promote Brand Jamaica, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) in association with the clusters of the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) is hosting its Annual Christmas village, Kumba Mi Yabba.

Kumba Mi Yabba evolved from the traditional Devon House Craft Fair and has been staged every year since 2001 under the auspices of JBDC. Now recognised as the premier Jamaican shopping experience at Christmas time, the JBDC has managed to stage the event with support from partners who share the vision of the development and promotion of Brand Jamaica.

This year, the organiser shave added a new element to the show by hosting a buyers’ forum, which is a direct effort to engage the local business community as partners in the growth and development of our country. It will facilitate a trading environment that will provide the ideal setting for the Jamaican designers and manufacturers to:

• Showcase their collections

• Meet with and understand the needs of buyers

• Understand the varied price points that the market will accept

• Better understand the marketing and merchandising forces in the industry

• Explore networking possibilities with line representatives, etc.

Four clusters under the umbrella of JBDC will be represented at the Buyers Forum: The Jamaica Fashion and Apparel Cluster, The Authentic Jamaica Gift and Craft Cluster, The Wellness Cluster and The Small Ruminants Cluster.

The forum will target retailers, wholesalers (individuals, hotels, gift shops, department stores etc), wellness services, corporate entities and merchants who are in search of products made in Jamaica.

This Year Kumba Mi Yabba will be held in two locations, Montego Bay Pier One, December 12 and 13 and Kingston Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, December 18-20. The Buyers’ Forum will be staged at both locations.