Cuba set to import paper products from Jamaica
CUBA could soon be importing quantities of quality paper products from Jamaica.
Sanmerna Paper Products of Ashenheim Road, Kingston 11, one of the leading producers and distributors of quality paper products in Jamaica, is the company earmarked to start supplying its number one brand of Sophie tissue and napkins to the socialist country.
Following preliminary discussions between officials of the company and the Cuban diplomatic mission in Jamaica, Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica Ines Fors Fernandez and Commercial Attache Dr Jorge Sanchez visited the company to view its operations last Tuesday, where they held discussions with company executives surrounding the exploring of possibilities to implement the move. The company was represented at the talks by Managing Director Robert White and Technical Director Mark White.
The discussions were said to be fruitful and the Cuban party left quite satisfied and convinced that the manufacturing operation is more than adequate to produce and supply substantial orders of the designated products to the north Caribbean island.
According to Ambassador Fernandez, Cuba’s main objective is to now try and stimulate the commercial aspect of things. “There are two sectors, two areas that are very, very important for us, which is education and health care. In health there is something that I will like to promote a little more; it is something we call Operation Miracle. With this programme we give opportunity to poor Jamaicans to have surgeries and to recover eyesights.
“This is one area in Jamaica we have to promote more and to let Jamaicans know that Cuba is working very hard in order to give Jamaica what Jamaicans deserve in terms of education, mainly Spanish education, and health care. And now we are trying to promote, to stimulate the commercial sector to promote commerce between Cuba and Jamaica, that is our main objective now,” Ambassador Fors Fernandez told the Jamaica Observer.
White also hailed the initiative.
“A prospect such as this is a filip to any progressive manufacturing company such as Sanmerna Paper Products,” he stated.
“Selling to multiple markets, especially our neighbours, will allow us to diversify our business and create a boost for the Jamaican economy while compensating for seasonal demands. It will also create a potential for our company to expand. By going international, our company will generally participate in the global market and gain a share of the huge international marketplace. Exporting can do a lot for us and Jamaica as a whole. It will certainly increase sales of a fine product,” White noted.
“Selling our paper products to a new and larger market will certainly boost sales and increase revenue. Additionally, foreign sales over the long term, once export development costs have been covered, will increase the overall profitability for both country and company. Sanmerna Paper Products is open for growth, as we have the equipment and machinery to manufacture a quality product that can compete more than favourably on the international market,” White told the Sunday Observer.