Big business opportunities for local producers - Jamaica Observer

Business

Expo Jamaica 2012

BY PAUL ALLEN Business reporter allenp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

EXPO Jamaica 2012 has been lauded as a major success, having created promising business opportunities for local producers.

The four-day trade show, which ended Sunday, saw over 200 local companies showcasing their products to 380 buyers from 24 countries.

"The response has been very positive," said a manager of Wallenford Coffee Company, while standing by his company booth which was decorated with dried coffee beans and barrels, as other members of staff give passers-by cups of the hot beverage, a draw for many.

The Wallenford executive said that although the company already has a strong distribution network, both locally and overseas, it has benefited from additional interest arising from the expo.

"For example there was somebody from Guyana who said the product was not being distributed there, so there's the possibility of reintroducing Jamaica Blue Mountain (coffee) back to Guyana," he noted.

One satisfied patron stated, "the interest in Jamaica and all things Jamaican remains", echoing the general sentiment from nearly all those questioned by the Jamaica Observer.

Coza International, a US-based distributor of Caribbean foods, said they have identified at least four companies in Jamaica with which they would like to do business.

"I am finding a lot more products this year. Caribbean foods are a growing industry, and we are trying to introduce as many Jamaican products to our Miami and New York markets," Coaza International President Darsham Lam told the Business Observer.

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