ROSE HALL, St James — President of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA), Brian Pengelley is calling on local manufacturers to identify important areas of need to get into.

According to Pengelley, the manufacturing sector in which 90 percent of the raw materials used are imported provides an opportunity for local manufacturers.

“What a huge opportunity, we got to go and look for that. Identify what that opportunity is and bring that to the party,” Pengelley recommended.

The JMA boss indicated that vanilla and dyes are prime examples which could be utilised in the food industry.

He further noted that in the ministry of tourism there is a hub which is comprised of the key areas of manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. He said the aim of the hub is to identify items the tourism industry uses that are produced locally in comparison to those imported. He said this is all about creating the opportunity for Jamaican business.

Pengelley who was speaking during an NCB-IDB-SME conference at the Hilton Rose Hall and Spa in Montego Bay, St James, on Saturday, used the opportunity to implore business operators to make themselves known to the JMA and what they have to offer.

“Make sure the JMA knows that you are there and what you have to offer, because this is where we are going. It has to be locally produced as much as possible,” explained Pengelley.