By Andrew Laidley
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – In light of evolving global trade dynamics and recent trade tensions involving the United States, Jamaican businesses are being strongly encouraged to proactively diversify their markets, exploring both regional and international opportunities.
Senior director, regulations, policy, monitoring and enforcement at the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), Ainsley Brown, has highlighted the United Arab Emirates as a particularly promising market for Jamaican exports.
Brown was delivering a presentation at the Business Acceleration Centre (BAC) Accelerator Series, at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, on Thursday, emphasised the importance of thinking outside the box and embracing new possibilities, stating: “We live in extraordinary times, so you may need to be doing extraordinary things.”
Brown pointed to the remarkable growth in exports from Jamaica to the UAE, which surged by more than 5,000 percent between 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, Jamaica has narrowed its trade deficit with the UAE by 54.18 percent, demonstrating significant progress in bilateral trade relations.
While acknowledging that the UAE currently exports more to Jamaica than vice versa, Brown underscored the potential for further growth. He noted the success of Jamaican products in the UAE market, particularly coffee and hot pepper sauce.
“We went there; we have tested the market… . We were giving away samples of our products… . We had to restrict how much hot pepper sauce we gave out,” Brown said. “It wasn’t just Jamaicans coming in and buying; it was people from all types of ethnic groups… people that never tried the Jamaican hot sauce, tried it, and came back the next day to buy more,” he added.
Brown also highlighted the demand for other Jamaican products, such as seasonings and canned ackee, while noting that Jamaica is exporting waste oil to the UAE for use in other processes. He said that many exports to the UK and EU ultimately find their way to the UAE through informal channels.
As a result, he urges businesses to “cut out the middleman” and directly target the UAE market to maximise profits and fully capitalise on the growing demand for Jamaican products. This call to action comes at a crucial time as businesses seek to mitigate risks associated with trade uncertainties in traditional markets.
Brown noted that the UAE offers a lucrative and receptive market for Jamaican goods, pointing out that proactive engagement can lead to significant economic benefits for Jamaican businesses.
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