PM Spencer presented A Little Bit of Paradise to JETRO’s CEO Osamu Watanabe View photo »

Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organisation Osamu Watanabe has encouraged Antiguan and Barbudan businesses to export their products into the Japanese market.

During a meeting on Wednesday between the Antiguan and Barbuda delegation lead by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer visiting Japan and officials of the trade organisation, Antigua and Barbuda was encouraged to promote the popular Susie's Hot Sauce and the English Harbour Rum in Japan.

"These two products are very popular on the international market and I will encourage Antigua and Barbuda to promote these popular brands in Japan. Every year there is a food exhibition in the spring in Japan and we encourage you to participate. JETRO will provide subsidies for developing countries to participate," outlined JETRO's CEO Osamu Watanabe.

As part of their remit, JETRO identifies promising export products in developing countries and provides technical assistance on how to improve their quality and design. At the request of individual countries, JETRO holds several exhibitions each year to enable foreign exporters to visit Japan and introduce their products directly to Japanese buyers and consumers.

Prime Minister Spencer said that the suggestions and assistance that JETRO is prepared to lend towards facilitating Susie's Hot Sauce and English Harbour Rum to enter the Japanese market are very timely and is an opportunity that should be utilized to the fullest. Susie's hot Sauce and English Harbour Rum have won numerous awards worldwide, with English Harbour Rum recently being named one of the world's best ten rums by Forbes Magazine.

During the meeting Prime Minister Spencer also updated the JETRO executives on the progress of the CARICOM Single Market and noted that Japan should expand its cooperation in the Caribbean beyond shipping and one such way is supporting the establishment of the Regional Development Fund.

"The Regional Development Fund is an important aspect of the CARICOM Single Market which will facilitate developing countries within the regional grouping to find their niche and we are anticipating that the Japanese government will assist us in the establishment of this fund," said Prime Minister Spencer.

The JETRO CEO said that the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market is a very positive move for the region and such cooperation can only lend to regional attractiveness.

The Japan External Trade Organisation JETRO also helps developing countries achieve sustainable economic growth by working with them to strengthen their export industries, improve business-related systems and nurture human resources. In line with Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter, JETRO takes into account the diversity that exists among developing economies and tailors its assistance accordingly.

Digital photos by Maurice F. Merchant