Executive Director of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association Kamesha Turner Blake has characterised as "unfortunate," the American imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Jamaican exports at a time of considerable expenditure in preparation for Expo Jamaica.
She said on Thursday that JMEA members have spent J$2 billion to promote and attract more than 600 local and international buyers to the four-day event.
But she said members of the sector will still be displaying a range of Jamaican products which can be supplied to the country's trading partners on a sustainable basis.
Mrs Turner Blake, who spoke Thursday morning Real Business, on Power 106FM, also said members of the sector are looking to the government for incentives to cope with the current dilemma.
Mahfood
John Mahfood , CEO of Jamaican Teas and former President of the JMEA, suggested that Jamaican manufacturers will have to cut the cost of their products to their suppliers in the USA by at least five per cent and then ask the supplier to give a fie per cent discount to the consumer, in order to maintain their competitiveness in the US market.
He added that Jamaican exporters must seek to sell more of their goods to the Caricom and Latin American markets.
He stressed that the sector, which contributes eight per cent of GDP and almost 70,000 jobs, will need the government's help with marketing, trade missions, trade agreements, and lower interest rates in order to remain viable.
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