The People’s National Party (PNP) shadow minister of Industry, Competitiveness & Global Logistics, Anthony Hylton, said that he is supporting the call by the president of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) for a new era in the manufacturing and export sectors in the country.

In a news release, the spokesman noted that this is needed to revive the sector following significant adjustment over recent years from manufacturing to import distribution.

“Energy has been a constraining factor affecting the manufacturing and export sector over the years and the sustained reduction in oil price, together with the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG), along with the greater role of renewable energy in the energy mix has greatly assisted the sector in achieving positive growth over the period,” he said.

In congratulating the group, he commented that the organisation and its president has been doing a good job in responding to the opportunities being presented by favourable developments in the macroeconomy along with the structural reforms implemented across political administrations.

He continued in saying that he was positive about the prospects for manufacturing and exports in the future, as the opposition proposed to focus on opportunities created by the global supply chain and logistics initiative. He said that this holds significant promise for the growth of manufacturing and exports in Jamaica, due to the prospects for improved competitiveness and infrastructure.

“The improved infrastructure for transportation together with the advancing digital economy will further create the environment for sustained manufacturing and exports,” Hylton said.

He also supported the call by Pandohie for all stakeholders in the manufacturing and export sector to work together in overcoming legal, bureaucratic, and financial system constraints, in order to quicken the pace of growth with good-paying jobs in the manufacturing and export sector.

He closed in saying that the Opposition intends to work with all stakeholders, including the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) sector, to ensure that the contribution of the manufacturing and export sector to GDP growth and employment, are optimised.