Argentine Cluster Policy Specialists on Exploratory Mission in Jamaica

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) recently welcomed a team of Argentine specialists from the Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises (SEPYME), a division of the Argentine Ministry of Industry. The team was on an exploratory mission with the goal of meeting and discovering the different sectors of economic growth in Jamaica, with the aim of establishing future South-South cooperation. 

A number of meetings were set up to identify possible lines of cooperation, priorities of the Jamaican Government, and potential sectors that would benefit from the development and strengthening of clusters.

The meetings included key stakeholders from the Technology Innovation Centre at the University of Technology (UTECH), Small Business Association of Jamaica, representatives of the local cocoa and fashion industries, the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM), HEART/National Training Agency, JAMPRO, Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), and representatives from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and the MIIC. 

With regards to future actions with respect to the development and strengthening of clusters, the next step will be a detailed report by the Argentine delegation, followed by the implementation of steps identified to execute the project, previously approved by the Government of Jamaica. 

Members of the Argentinian team, Dr. Alejandro Nacierio and Matias Davini have expressed their satisfaction with the interactions and knowledge sharing during their visit. They expect to continue working with the MIIC to identify a project, in line with the Government’s growth objectives. Technical assistance will be offered over a two-year period in defining cluster methodologies and implementing group-based techniques for local development and rural empowerment for economic growth.