Seiveright unveils strategy to sharpen Jamaica’s manufacturing competitiveness

Delano Seiveright, the state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), says Jamaica’s manufacturing sector is poised for renewed growth under a comprehensive strategy that seeks to sharpen competitiveness, attract investment, and create sustainable jobs across the industry.

Seiveright outlined the initiative following a tour of the Wisynco Group’s Lakes Pen manufacturing and distribution complex last week. He lauded the company as “a true Jamaican success story, a model of innovation and efficiency, which demonstrates what is possible when vision, investment, and local talent align”.

“Wisynco’s achievements show that Jamaica has the capacity to compete globally,” Seiveright, who was accompanied on the tour by Wisynco Chairman William Mahfood, told The Gleaner. “But they also highlight the hurdles many of our manufacturers face daily. We’re taking a practical, coordinated, whole-of-government approach to remove those barriers while expanding linkages, especially in the tourism and agriculture sectors, and improving access to international markets.”

The upcoming manufacturing strategy, to be led by the MIIC in collaboration with private-sector stakeholders, will target several long-standing challenges, such as high energy costs, limited access to affordable capital, skilled labour shortages, inadequate industrial space, market-access difficulties, bureaucratic red tape, and unfair competition from illegitimate operators.

Seiveright said the initiative forms part of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness’s ASPIRE Vision, which seeks to build an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economy, and aligns with the investment and export agenda being spearheaded by Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce.

“Prime Minister Holness has outlined a clear and ambitious vision to make Jamaica a globally competitive economy that delivers real opportunities for our people,” he said. “Under Minister Hill’s leadership, MIIC, Jamaica’s business ministry, is advancing that vision by creating the conditions for growth, export expansion, and industrial transformation. Strengthening manufacturing is a key pillar of that agenda.”

Seiveright added that deepened collaboration between the Government and the private sector would be vital to the strategy’s success.

“We’re focused on building confidence and momentum,” stressed Seiveright.

“This is about giving Jamaican manufacturers the tools, space, and support they need to expand, export, and thrive. With strong partnerships and clear policy direction, Jamaica can become a key manufacturing hub of the Caribbean.”

Seiveright also praised Wisynco’s continued investments in local industry. The company employs more than 2,500 Jamaicans across multiple locations and operates more than one million square feet of modern industrial space. It has invested more than J$10 billion (approximately US$70 million) in expansion and innovation, producing up to 30 million bottles of water per month and manufacturing or distributing many of the island’s best known brands, including WATA, Bigga, BOOM Energy Drink, Tru-Juice, and CranWata, alongside international partners such as Coca-Cola, Minute Maid, and Red Bull.

Wisynco’s reach now extends beyond Jamaica’s shores, exporting to the United States, the United Kingdom, the wider Caribbean, and other markets. The company also maintains a strong social footprint, investing millions annually in education, housing, and community initiatives through programmes such as Hydrate to Educate, school-support drives, and partnerships with Food For The Poor.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com

Source: The Gleaner