Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA) is the new Chair of the Caribbean Manufacturers’ Association (CMA)

November 26th, 2021

The Caribbean Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) was officially established on the 25th of November 2020. It comprises six Caribbean countries-Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and Dominica. The purpose of the association is to drive Caribbean integration through the processes of manufacturing, trade and investment. The goal is to develop a unified voice with regards to common issues facing Caribbean manufacturers. The key objective is to consolidate views and develop strategic approaches and solutions which will then be presented to the appropriate regional governments and other regional fora, authority or body to be acted on.

For the past year, the Association was chaired by the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA). The organisation has built strong strategic relationships with myriad regional and international organisations as it positioned itself to tackle key matters in the interest of manufacturers.

For the next year the Dominica Manufactures’ Association will chair the CMA while the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) will serve as the Vice Chair, supporting the technical and administrative functions of the CMA. The new heads will be building and expanding on work done by the association to advance, integrate and promote the interest of CARICOM manufacturers.

In keeping with the mandate of the CMA the key areas of focus for the next year will include:

• Trade advocacy;
• Environment development (Climate change);
• Sector development (Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism, Research, development and Innovation in sectors); and
• Labour and human resource development in the Caribbean (skills development, movement of Community Nationals in the region).

The CMA will also be closely monitoring global supply chain and logistical issues. This is to ensure that manufacturers are well positioned to meet regional demand.