Chairman’s message

An EXIM Bank for all JamaicanS

“It is my vision to one day see this institution extend its reach beyond the island’s shores, as it strives to become the

EXIM Bank for all

Jamaicans and all

things Jamaican. ”

For over two decades, the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica has been contributing to the success of the productive sector through the provision of financing and relevant financial support mechanisms. Our efforts in this regard have been diligent and unrelenting over the years, and the rewards have been manifested in the growth of the many ambitious enterprises that we have worked with across the various sectors.

While acknowledging our track record of achievement, we at EXIM Bank do not intend to rest on our laurels at this time or any other time for that matter. We pause briefly to reflect on our journey thus far, and to renew our focus on building on the accumulated gains as we strive to continue our service tradition of excellence well into the future. Given the prevailing economic challenges in the local and global business landscape, it is incumbent on us to more efficiently and effectively play our part in helping companies to turn opportunities into actual sales that will result in job creation and the strengthening of the national economy.

Our commitment to this process is unswerving, as we continue to fine-tune and tailor our US and Jamaica dollar financing options and trade credit insurance solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients. Through innovation and foresight, we have prepared ourselves to deal with the exigencies of these challenging times and are optimistic about the prospects that exist now as well as those on the horizon.

We recognize that it requires a holistic approach in dealing with emerging SMEs; this philosophy has resulted in an expansion of our service paradigm with programmes such as our Champions Assist and the Business Advisory Unit, which along with our financial solutions give SME businesses a greater chance of achieving success. This is in keeping with our efforts to give added support and impetus to promising SME’s in the productive sectors, which we consider to be the primary engine of growth in the economy. It is our hope to ultimately unearth a new wave of business champions who will make a strong contribution to job creation and poverty reduction in Jamaica.

This ambitious undertaking is closely aligned to the empowering framework of the National Export Strategy (NES), which engenders the broadening of our export base and the development of a culture of exporting that will unlock the full potential of the Jamaican economy. At the heart of the Strategy is an ongoing public-private partnership that is critical to its sustained success, and EXIM Bank remains firmly focussed on doing its part to enhance the competitiveness of local companies and prepare them to take advantage of potentially lucrative opportunities as the global economy rebounds.

I would now like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of EXIM Bank’s former managing director, Mrs. Pamela McLean, who served the institution for a decade and a half with great distinction before stepping down at the end of the 2010 financial year. Her successor, Mrs. Lisa Bell – who brings to the position an impressive wealth of knowledge and experience – has hit the ground running and has maintained the momentum established by her predecessor. While EXIM Bank continues to face many difficulties that threaten to impede growth, not the least of which is the identification of new sources of low cost funding for on-lending to the productive sector, the Board remains confident that Mrs. Bell and her dedicated and highly competent cadre of professionals are more than equal to the task.

Looking further into the future, it is my vision to one day see this institution extend its reach beyond the island’s shores, as it strives to become the EXIM Bank for all Jamaicans and all things Jamaican. We recognise that increasingly, members of the Diaspora are looking to step up their financial involvement in the island by exploring trade opportunities, and we are keen on fostering greater business interaction with them.

EXIM Bank remains committed to ensuring the competitiveness of small businesses in this global climate, and will continue to provide quality service and products that are designed to exceed all expectations. We look forward to partnering with Jamaican businesses, with the overarching goal of realising Jamaica’s true productive promise.