Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) President Metry Seaga has said that “new and emerging” local industries and innovative products will highlight Expo Jamaica, which opens this evening at the National Arena in Kingston.

The annual event, which showcases the best of Jamaica’s manufacturing sector, will run until Sunday, April 22 with the public viewing days being Friday to Sunday.

The booth competition will take place today through to Saturday, and the booth awards ceremony will be on Sunday.

“Whilst we are largely known for our food and beverage, the offering at Expo Jamaica 2018 is so much more. New and emerging industries and innovative products are being launched from Jamaica’s purest and finest natural assets, such as nutraceuticals, essential oils, beauty and cosmetic supplies, aromatherapy, and spa products, as well as gifting solutions,” Seaga said in his message to the annual show.

“As we seek to highlight our new and emerging products and the use of our technologies that support our industries, Expo Jamaica 2018 is being held under the theme ‘Advancing Breakthroughs’,” he noted.

Seaga pointed out that Jamaicans are known for their high level of entrepreneurship.

“The country boasts over 600 producers in the manufacturing industry, consisting of potential and experienced exporters,” he said.

He also noted that the traditional productive industries in Jamaica, including manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and services, will all be on display, as usual.

One of the new features of Expo Jamaica is the showcasing of Jamaica’s Emerging Manufacturers and Services Village.

The JMA was established in 1947 as a limited liability company to promote the development of the manufacturing sector and increase its contribution to the socio-economic welfare of the country by creating jobs and improving the standard of living for all.

Today, the association represents manufacturers in seven subsectors as well as institutions and organisations that provide services to these sectors.