Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
JMEA reports 60 per cent decline in revenues for productive sector
PANDOHIE... It's the new normal
Business, COVID-19, News
Kellaray Miles | Reporter  
April 29, 2020

JMEA reports 60 per cent decline in revenues for productive sector

May viewed as potential tipping point for many businesses

A recent survey piloted by Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) indicated that more than half or just about 60 per cent of businesses surveyed in the country’s productive sector have seen a decline in revenues as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its onslaught on operations globally.

While the vast majority said their revenues were severely impacted, another 24 per cent of them reported their revenues as being stable and 16 per cent indicated increased revenues.

In commenting on the findings of the COVID-19 impact survey, JMEA President Richard Pandohie told the Jamaica Observer that the decline in revenue comes as no surprise given that the entire world is experiencing contraction, of which local companies prove to be no exception.

“Additionally, exporters have also experienced reduced sales of products to major export markets such as the United States and United Kingdom, as those economies continue to remain closed. Our exporters of perishable products have also been badly impacted by reduced air cargo transportation,” he said on Monday in responding to questions from the Business Observer.

The survey which was undertaken during the period of March 27- April 15 saw a majority of businesses in the micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs), as well as some large enterprises across multiple industries – ranging from food and beverage (40 per cent), textile and apparel (nine per cent), services (15 per cent) and other sub-sectors (10 per cent) – reporting on the impacts of the pandemic on their business operations.

The survey revealed that while 52 per cent of the respondents interviewed indicated they would remain open for business, 42 per cent, following closely on this amount, expressed uncertainty as to whether they would be able to remain open for business, which the JMEA president said came as a shocker.

“A concerning number is that 42 per cent of respondents who were unable to indicate if they would remain open — with many seeing the month of May as a potential tipping point. Many indicated that they could not keep their production open beyond the end of May if there is no improvement in business,” he said.

He said that while many businesses have been experiencing the struggles associated with the period, it must be noted that only a mere six per cent of the respondents said they would be closing temporarily, while others said they would be keeping their operations going, but on a significantly reduced scale, in an effort to safeguard employees from the debilitating virus.

POSTIVE IMPACTS

Pandohie said that with many businesses having had to scale down operations, several others have seen the emergence of new opportunities.

“Several companies, especially in the apparel and chemical sectors, have identified new opportunities and have ventured into new product lines such as the making of sanitisers and face masks. Some companies, especially makers of natural products, have seen a big jump in their export demand, with one of our members, Home Choice, recently shipping off their first container of natural ginger juice to Dominica. Last week Quality Incorporations also exported their first container of bathroom tissue to the USA,” he shared, while also mentioning that several similar stories would be coming in short order.

The JMEA head further said that there were also several other low-hanging business opportunities, especially in the area of agro-processing, of which the country must urgently capitalise on given that the requisite public-private sector partnerships are properly developed.

“It is our collective obligation to keep viable businesses going to keep our economy turning and to prevent any socio-economic fallout,” he further told the Business Observer.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Update: Man charged for Manchester double murder
Latest News, News
Update: Man charged for Manchester double murder
July 28, 2026
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police have charged 32-year-old Ramalio Miles of Bonnie View Terrace, Melrose Mews, Manchester, in connection with the double mu...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Sixty still in Westmoreland shelter ; many houses still without roof, says Mayor
Latest News, News
Sixty still in Westmoreland shelter ; many houses still without roof, says Mayor
July 28, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP) — At least 60 people remain in eight shelters in Westmoreland, nine months to the day that category five Hurricane Melissa sla...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Berger GM Dwaine Williams resigns
Business, Latest News
Berger GM Dwaine Williams resigns
July 28, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dwaine Williams has resigned as general manager of Berger Paints Jamaica Limited after less than three years at the helm, leaving ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Venezuela’s political camps protest ahead of transition talks
International News, Latest News, Regional
Venezuela’s political camps protest ahead of transition talks
July 28, 2026
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) —  Various protests marched through Caracas on Tuesday, vying to make their voices heard ahead of Venezuelan political transi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Scientists discover 210-million-year-old dinosaur in Zimbabwe
International News, Latest News
Scientists discover 210-million-year-old dinosaur in Zimbabwe
July 28, 2026
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — A newly discovered dinosaur from Zimbabwe is offering fresh clues to how the animals diversified, suggesting they s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Robert Levy steps down as Jamaica Broilers chairman
Business, Latest News
Robert Levy steps down as Jamaica Broilers chairman
July 28, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Robert Levy has stepped down as chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited (JBG) after 17 years in the position and more than 67 y...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Duo charged with murder of 60-y-o inmate after prison fight
Latest News, News
Duo charged with murder of 60-y-o inmate after prison fight
July 28, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two inmates at a local adult correctional facility have been charged with murder following an incident at Tower Street, Kingston C...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bartender facing murder charge
Latest News, News
Bartender facing murder charge
July 28, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 25-year-old woman has been charged with murder, following a fatal stabbing that occurred during a domestic dispute. Charged is N...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct