New Year message - Challenges and opportunities ahead
published:
Tuesday | January 15, 2008
The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) expects 2008 to be a very challenging year for the country as a whole, for the shipping Industry and for our Region; however, our past achievements give us confidence in our abilities to identify and grasp the opportunities that also exist.
We work the Port of Kingston
The primary focus of the leadership of the SAJ last year was labour: integrating the new employees into the very skillful and dedicated labour force at the Association; and meeting the challenge of the future of our port through training and education programmes.
In 2008, we will continue our very rigorous training and education programmes to ensure that our First World port continues to benefit from not just skillful, committed workers but also personnel who understand their role and that of the port in the very demanding and competitive global logistics business.
Trade Agreements
In 2008, the SAJ plans to continue tracking the developments taking place in International trade and the various negotiations to which Jamaica was a party. Last year, we sought to sensitise members to these developments and mobilize their participation and input in the various discussions surrounding these. As such SAJ members attended various meetings within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade's Jamaica Trade and Adjustment Team (JTAT) as well as various briefings and seminars hosted to elicit public dialogue and discussion.
Private Sector Organisations
The SAJ will continue to raise its profile and relevance as a vibrant private sector organisation by intensifying our involvement with the other organisations representing the private sector. In particular, as executive members of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) we joined the consultation with the Prime Minister and Government in early November with the aim of developing plans to move Jamaica forward. We have been generally very active in that body to ensure that the shipping industry's voice is strong and relevant. Similarly, we will continue to be very active at the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) and also at the Jamaica Employers Federation.
Initiatives
As we did in 2007, the SAJ will continue hosting its series of Lunch and Learn seminars throughout 2008 with a range of experienced presenters on various topics of interest. The Lunch and Learn seminars have been well received and are anticipated by persons as an opportunity for exchange, interaction and networking with other members of the industry.
The year 2007 also marked the beginning of the Lunch and Learn series in Montego Bay which was immensely successful and was well received by industry players in the West. These will continue into 2008.
During the course of 2008, the SAJ and the Caribbean Maritime Institute plan to deepen their areas of cooperation, following on last year's successful launch of a series of short courses for industry professionals. In 2008, the foreign language initiatives which began in 2006 will continue as the SAJ prepares its membership for the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.
A founding member of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), whose secretariat is housed at the SAJ's Head Office, the Shipping Association of Jamaica recognises the importance of networking and of regional integration, and has therefore been a major contributor to the development of the CSA over the years. We look forward to supporting and participating in the programmes and activities of the CSA throughout 2008 and beyond.
Looking Ahead - Marcus Garvey Drive Road Expansion/Newport West Renovation
We welcome the start of road work which will see the expansion of Marcus Garvey Drive into six lanes. The expansion is projected to ease the traffic congestion being experienced by persons travelling into and out of Kingston from the Portmore Toll Road during peak hours.
The plan also includes the clearing and laying of drains to prevent water from continuing to damage the road surface.
While we welcome these developments, we shall be watchful to ensure that the roads in Newport West are congruent with the world-class Port of Kingston.
We enter the year 2008 with full confidence that our members, partners, port workers and staff will continue to work as one team to ensure that Jamaica's shippingindustry remains viable and competitive to benefit of all Jamaicans. We are constantly mindful of the fact that other ports in our region are expanding and improving their services so that they can take a greater share of the market, but we are prepared to do all in our power to stay ahead of the competition.
