Case Study: Jamaica’s National Export Strategy

Jamaica’s experience with export development offers valuable lessons for emerging economies worldwide.

The Challenge

Despite a strong global brand and diverse production base, Jamaica faced challenges in translating these advantages into export success. The country’s exports were concentrated in traditional sectors like minerals and agriculture, leaving the economy vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations and external shocks.

The Approach

Working with Jamaican stakeholders, we developed a comprehensive National Export Strategy that:

1. Identified Priority Sectors: Through rigorous analysis, we identified sectors with strong export potential, including manufacturing, mining, agri-processing, film & animation, and nutraceuticals.
2. Addressed Cross-Cutting Constraints: The strategy tackled horizontal issues affecting all exporters, including logistics, standards compliance, trade facilitation, and access to finance.
3. Developed Sector-Specific Interventions: For each priority sector, we created tailored interventions addressing their unique challenges and opportunities.
4. Established Implementation Mechanisms: Clear governance structures, monitoring frameworks, and resource mobilization strategies ensured effective implementation.

Implementation

The strategy’s implementation involved close collaboration between government agencies, private sector associations, and international partners. Key actions included:

• Streamlining export procedures through regulatory reforms
• Strengthening testing and certification infrastructure
• Developing targeted market access programs for priority sectors
• Building capacity among export support institutions
• Creating export-focused financing mechanisms

Results

The implementation of the National Export Strategy catapulted Jamaica onto the world stage with 15% export growth. Beyond the numbers, the strategy transformed Jamaica’s export base, with significant growth in non-traditional sectors creating more diverse and resilient export earnings.

Read more on the Jamaica National Export Strategy.