T he British High Commission will reprise the successful UK Jamaica Fair on the grounds of the high commission on February 9th. This year’s fair is under the banner ‘Innovation UK: Growth driven by Innovation’.

In its second staging, the UK Jamaica Fair will provide invited guests with an arena to not only showcase innovation, but also establish connections and opportunities both locally and within the UK. The fair bridges the gap between consumers, business owners and industry leaders from the UK and Jamaica, facilitating countless opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Asif Ahmad, British high commissioner to Jamaica, reflected on last year’s fair and outlined his vision for this year’s event.

“We go into our second UK Jamaica Fair with an ambition to make it bigger and better than last year,” he stated. “We have had amazing support from our Jamaican business partners and supporters; they recognise the benefits of working with the UK to achieve their ambitions. We will have more displays from the UK, as people in Britain have heard our message that things are moving in Jamaica and there are opportunities.”

“The theme of the UK Jamaica Fair is innovation,” the high commissioner continued. “We will see examples of creativity in music, education, food and business — including renewable and eco-friendly technology. With over 800,000 people of Jamaican heritage in the UK, there are multiple opportunities to explore and grow.”

The fair continues to gain support from prominent Jamaican firms such as Jamaica National Group, National Bakery, Rainforest Seafoods, Virgin Atlantic and Sandals Resorts. As platinum sponsor, the Jamaica National (JN) Group has once again partnered with the high commission to host the ‘Songs of UK in JA’ competition.

By simply recording a one-minute video of their own rendition of a song by a British singer or band and completing and submitting the online entry form, participants have the chance to win two tickets to London courtesy of Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Dr Dana Morris Dixon, assistant general manager and chief marketing and business development officer of t he Jamaica National Group, said the JN Group welcomes the opportunity to again partner with the British High Commission in Jamaica, as one of the sponsors of the UK Jamaica Fair.

“The fair offers an opportunity for Jamaican companies to explore existing and potential links with the UK, to engender new trading and business opportunities,” she explained. “I am confident that this initiative will serve to further enhance the relationship between our countries.”

Dixon urged patrons to support the fair, pointing out that the event will not only showcase businesses, but will also be a rich cultural exchange.