Jamaica calls on rum manufacturers to eye the Caribbean market

The Jamaican government wants local rum manufacturing companies to regard the Caribbean region as an important market for their products.

“I want to recommend that we target not just the global external market, but the Caribbean, a major market for tourism. Sometimes we overlook the bars at the hotels in the countries of the Caribbean, which the tourists are visiting, but that, too, must be a part of the plan,” said Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Audley Shaw.

Millions more to be earned

Shaw, who recently toured the National Rums of Jamaica and Clarendon Distillers Limited, said Jamaica’s rum-manufacturing companies can earn millions annually from the regional market.

But, he said, they have to research and tap into the various markets for demands that are not being fully satisfied.

He also called on Jamaica’s rum-manufacturing companies to seek assistance from his Ministry, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Jamaica Tourist Board, to help with marketing their products across the region.

A government statement said that Shaw tour was geared towards having a better understanding of the needs of the rum manufacturers and to create linkages that will assist the companies with marketing and selling their products in the regional and international markets.