With less than a week to go before the official opening of the biennial Expo Jamaica 2016, telecommunications firm FLOW, on Friday gave its team members and other guests a preview of what can be expected at the National Arena later this week (April 14 -17).

Sixteen of Jamaica’s local entrepreneurs, manufacturers and service providers were hosted at the company’s head office for a ‘Mini Expo’ where they displayed, introduced  and provided samples of their products including electronics, fashion items, household  items and construction materials. Those present were: Ada Manufacturing, Ettenio/Ansel Development, The Jamaica Biscuit Company, D'Nextstep Sandals, Bresheh Enterprise, Bartley's All in Wood, Honeykist Apiaries Limited, Vintage Chic Jewellery & Accessories, Carita Jamaica Limited, Creditinfo Jamaica Limited, Caribbean Industrial Systems, Tritronic Electronics Limited, Reggaetawa, DHL, the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the Caribbean Solar Energy Company.

Kayon Wallace, Director of Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Management at FLOW, says the company was delighted to host the ‘homegrown’ businesses at its corporate headquarters. “In addition to our sponsorship of the National Expo, where these businesses will all be exhibitors, we are happy to provide further opportunities for them to connect with potential customers.  We are doing our part to support our entrepreneurs and to help them grow their entities.”

“Our employee base of several hundred as well as several others within the Half Way Tree Road vicinity attended and took advantage of the various offerings at the FLOW Mini Expo,” Wallace shared.

Michael Dunkley, Managing Director of Tritronic Electronics Ltd., manufacturers of locally made surge protectors and other electronic devices, commended FLOW for the initiative.  “We are very glad for the opportunity and are happy to be welcomed by a member of corporate Jamaica in this fashion. For us, this is a good indicator of their commitment to help sustain the small business and entrepreneurial community.”

Anthony Campbell, Managing Director of Vintage Chic Jewellery & Accessories, said he would be interested in further visits to entities like FLOW at least once a quarter. “Initiatives like this put us in direct contact with a wide pool of potential buyers while also gaining referrals,” he shared.  

In March, FLOW announced title sponsorship to the tune of six million dollars towards the staging of Expo Jamaica 2016, spearheaded by the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association and the Jamaica Exporters Association. 

Flow’s partnership is an indication of its support for the EXPO’s mission, which is to represent the best that Jamaican businesses have to offer.

Aptly themed the ‘Business Hub of the Caribbean’, the Expo will showcase a wide range of products and services from various industries and sectors including manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. The Expo will also reach an extensive targeted audience of local, regional and international buyers in over twenty-five (25) different countries.