With an unwavering commitment to supporting export growth, investment and job creation by defending domestic producers from unfair international trade, the Anti-dumping and Subsidies Commission (ADSC or the Commission) joined the other agencies of Jamaica’s Business Ministry as an exhibitor at the inaugural MSME Business Roadshow, held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester on August 10, 2023.

The Business Roadshow was organized by Jamaica’s Business Ministry, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).  The aim of the island wide roadshow is to increase awareness of the range of business services offered through Jamaica’s Business Ministry, its agencies and partners; and to enhance connectivity between markets and customers.  The ADSC seized the opportunity to connect with local goods producers, exporters and economic development organisations to inform them of its services for producers of goods in Jamaica.

Building Capacity and Raising Awareness of Trade Remedies

The mission of the ADSC Jamaica’s Trade Remedies Authority is to defend producers of goods in Jamaica, including exporters against injury from unfairly traded or overwhelming volumes of imported goods which are like the goods made by the domestic producers.  The Commission’s work is also to equip local industry with trade remedy knowledge and tools that can strengthen their resilience, protect their investment and facilitate growth.  The ADSC also assists exporters of goods from Jamaica to identify potential expansion opportunities, using assessment of the implication of trade remedy actions globally.

During the event, ADSC’s Technical Staff provided to attendees information about the international trading landscape and how the Commission’s work in training industry, consultation and investigation services help to facilitate their welfare, growth and development.

“We teach local businesses how to take trade remedy action when faced with challenges from imports.  Where possible, training is tailored to the specific needs of the industries we work with. We also provide short online training on how to access and analyse international trade data provided through the International Trade Centre. This training helps businesses to increase their understanding of global demand and supply specific to their sectors and can therefore enhance strategic planning and decision-making,” said Andrew Mighty, Senior Economist.   “In addition, companies and their representatives can consult with the Staff to assess the usefulness of Trade Remedies for their particular industry.”

The ADSC team also seized the opportunity to engage with representatives from the IDB, along with other entities participating in Mandeville, to strengthen the Commission’s network of potential collaborators. Andrea Dawes, Executive Director of the Commission had this to say,

“We have long realized that it takes the community to support the growth of businesses and in particular, producers of goods in Jamaica.  As partners together in economic development, we can enhance each entity’s effectiveness, when we collaborate and liberally share information on the range of business assistance services that are available locally, of which Trade Remedies do need to be better known and understood.”

The MSME Roadshow service tour by the Business Ministry and its agencies holds promise of having a significant positive impact on the business community in Jamaica.  Four shows are planned for the current year, with three additional events to be staged on the following schedule:

• Half Moon Hotel, Montego Bay, St. James – October 26, 2023
• Bettinos Conference Centre, Drax Hall, St. Ann – November 1, 2023
• Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Kingston and St. Andrew – November 21, 2023.

MSMEs are encouraged to attend the 2023 MIIC MSME Roadshow and take advantage of the information, assistance, services, funding opportunities, capacity building, prizes and surprises being rolled out at the events.  For more information on the Roadshow, please return to this website in the days leading up to each event date and also see the Jamaican Business Ministry’s website.

For more information on accessing International Trade Remedy support and all the ADSC services, please contact the Commission here.