NCB has committed to silver sponsorship of this year’s staging of National Exporters’ Month, being put on by the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) during the month of June under the theme “Achieving Economic Development through an Export Led Strategy”.

The JEA has already held church services, industry fora and workshops in addition to staging Expo Jamaica 2010 in association with the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association. NCB was also a major sponsor of the expo, which showcased a wide selection of Jamaica’s businesses to international and local buyers, in addition to enthusiastic consumers.

NCB was recognised at a banquet, one of the special events also held during the month. The commercial bank received the trophy for being the best service provider in the financial sector to exporters, after garnering the most votes from the members of the JEA.

Bernadette Barrow, NCB assistant general manager Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in responding to the award, said, “While we have received this award in years past, we are particularly honoured as this year we have partnered with the association in staging the month of activities which not only brings recognition to the exporters but also assists them in optimising their businesses.”

Barrow added, “The award underscores the fact that we are ardent supporters of our business customers and indicates that they are pleased with the financial products and services that we offer them. It is our aim to continue that tradition by ensuring that we remain competitive, proactive and responsive to their needs.”

The final event in the month of activities is a seminar, “Winning Strategies for Export Marketing”, and will be held at the Terra Nova Hotel on June 30. The team from NCB’s SME Unit will be making a presentation during the seminar, which will focus on how its products and services can be used to optimise exporters’ operations and the best ways to maximise the use of financing.

Exporters will also be encouraged to enter the NCB Nation Builder Awards, which offers businesses the opportunity to vie for a combination of cash, technical training and support, scholarships and marketing support. The awards recognise successful businesses that contribute to society through philanthropy and employment.