KINGSTON, Jamaica — Following the launch of its research project on opportunities for the castor bean and consultations with castor growers and processors last year, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) said it is executing a long-term strategy for the development of the castor industry for exports and investments.

The agency, in a release today, said it will be hosting capacity building initiatives, business matchmaking opportunities and has planned trade missions to assist local castor oil producers to enter international markets later this year.

The agency said it has partnered with the Jamaica Castor Industry Association (JCIA) to create more business opportunities for companies across the industry, including those growing and producing raw materials and enterprises manufacturing value added castor products.

As part of its strategy, JAMPRO will provide market intelligence to the JCIA to target export sales contracts, identify distributors for the products, and facilitate business matching and lead generation.

The agency further explained that it has also started to facilitate the industry in acquisition of intellectual property rights (geographical indicators and trademarks) through the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), which is critical to protecting the Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) brand.

Meanwhile, having noted the challenges of the industry, the Bureau of Standards has partnered with the JCIA and JAMPRO, and has begun testing of castor oil from local oil producers with the aim of establishing a recognised standard for the JBCO.

JIPO has also joined the initiative, and has partnered with the JCIA to register Geographical Indicators for JBCO and trademark the Jamaican brand in the US, one of the major target markets for the oil.