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Kemon White reports
Jamaica's manufacturing sector is showing signs of resilience, with manufactured exports continuing to grow despite significant challenges facing the industry.
Manufactured exports continue to grow despite a 10.6 per cent decline in Jamaica's total merchandise exports during the first four months of this year.
At the same time, imports increased by one per cent to US$2.5 billion, pushing the trade deficit to approximately US$2 billion.
Export, Research and Policy Advocacy Manager at the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) Sheneecia Salmon, says the growth in manufactured exports is significant, given the challenges facing the sector.
Speaking on Radio Jamaica's Real Business on Thursday, Ms. Salmon noted that Hurricane Melissa devastated several manufacturing and agro-processing facilities.
She saud the sector has also had to contend with high energy costs and significant fallout in agriculture, which supplies critical inputs to manufacturers.
Manufacturing currently accounts for about nine per cent of Jamaica's Gross Domestic Product, while agriculture contributes approximately eight per cent.
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