The Government has commended the work of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) in the development and expansion of the petroleum sector, saying Jamaica’s gasolene industry, through the work of the JGRA has become far more sophisticated and the trade has expanded over time, with more operators coming on board and retailers continuing to upgrade their facilities in response to the demands of consumers.

Chief technical director in the Ministry of of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Stephen Wedderburn lauded the work of the association in his address at the opening of the JGRA’s half-yearly trade show held recently at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston. He noted that there are now 18 marketing companies and 295 service stations in the market represented by the JGRA.

Wedderburn, who was speaking on behalf of portfolio minister Karl Samuda, said the JGRA had become a mainstay in the petroleum industry, fulfilling its mandate to ensure service delivery, maintain harmony and cooperation within the industry, and uphold high standards of integrity in the distribution of petroleum products.

He said the ministry had been creating capacity building programmes to ensure that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are able to grow, and that the petroleum industry plays a critical role in this strategy.

“The gasolene industry, a part of our MSME sector, aside from contributing to our general economic well-being, creates jobs and provides opportunities for many Jamaicans. We recognise that the gasolene industry plays a critical role in making available a wide range of transportation services used in our economy, including both public and private transportation providers,” he outlined.

The trade show provides a platform for petroleum dealers to network with business operators in the industry and be informed about standards and regulatory and legislative provisions. Other participants included Tax Administration Jamaica and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, as well as exhibitors from the banking, security, and insurance sectors.