COMMERCE Minister Karl Samuda will on Tuesday hold the first of a series of quarterly meetings with registered exporters, an effort to increase communication and interaction with the local export community, with a view to developing collaborative solutions to the problems affecting the sector.

Aptly titled “Let’s Talk Exports”, Samuda’s ministry said the forum will adopt an interactive format that will allow participants to openly discuss the issues that are retarding efficiency and productivity, as identified by exporters and forum organisers Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI/JAMPRO) through the agency’s day-to-day client-servicing activities. Among the key areas expected to dominate the first staging of the forum, are sources of financing and accessing export markets.

Invitations to attend the forum have been extended to representatives from EXIM Bank, all commercial banks, Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League, Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, Jamaica Business Development Corporation and the Ministry of Finance. These participants will serve as resource persons at the forum. Key officials from JTI/JAMPRO and the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce will also be in attendance.

Samuda’s office said in a press release that the insights and solutions emanating from the exporter forum will ultimately shape government policy initiatives that are geared towards enhancing the competitiveness of the sector.

“Minister Samuda’s commitment to creating a business environment that will foster improved export performance is evidenced by his championing of Jamaica’s National Export Strategy (NES), which is currently being implemented under the leadership of JTI/JAMPRO and the JEA,” said the ministry in the release, adding that “Minister Samuda has articulated the view that the NES represents the beginnings of an export trade that is efficient, globally competitive, and a high revenue earner that contributes to the overall development of the economy”.

The meeting on Tuesday is to be held at the Caymanas Golf Club in St Catherine from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Exporters are encouraged to register online for the forum at www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/exporterforum or contact Stacy-Ann Holmes in the Trade & Business Development Division (TBDD) at JTI/JAMPRO by email at sholmes@jti.org.jm or by telephone at 978-7755, extension 2053.