MAY PEN, Clarendon:

The fourth Export Centre and Business Information Point (ECBIP) was launched in the presence of a select group of stakeholders at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) office in Denbigh on Monday.

A collaborative effort between the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA) and RADA, the satellite will function as a 'one-stop shop' where users can access information and services on export registration requirements, financial assistance, online services and links to government agencies and ministries.

Its aim is to improve competitive-ness and profitability of micro-businesses in the agriculture industry.

A number of dignitaries were on hand to witness the opening of the office.

Members of Parliament, Michael Stern and Noel Arscott; May Pen Mayor Milton Brown; RADA Parish Manager Percival Shaw; JEA Vice-president Michael Ming, Wynette Anderson of the Private Sector Development Programme and a few Clarendon small farmers.

Guest speaker Al Powell, executive director of RADA, in his presentation, said the aim of the agriculture ministry was to ensure that local farmers lifted their standards through government help, whether it be financial or through relevant training.

Powell said that the country imported $50 billion worth of agri-products, compared to $15 billion worth of exports, a situation which needed to change.

MP Michael Stern said he was glad to see the ECBIP office in place.

Portland, St Elizabeth, Manchester and St Mary are among the parishes that already have centres.

The ECBIP will also be hosting workshops on grant-proposal develop-ment, accounting and business planning and market research.

The centre at Denbigh will have maintain the same business hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -as the RADA office in which it is located and will be manned by Simone Lewis, ECBIP officer.

- Angella Chin