Kingston, Jamaica: The Jamaica Trade Board (Trade Board Limited) recently partnered with the Seprod Foundation for the second staging of its Read Across Jamaica Day Initiative. This event took place at St. George's Girls' and St. Aloysius Primary Schools in Kingston on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The initiative aims to foster a generation that comprehends the significance of trade and its pivotal role in economic development.
Demonstrating unwavering commitment to literacy - a core element of the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy - the Jamaica Trade Board collaborated with the Seprod Foundation to uniquely integrate the joy of reading with knowledge about export.
During this event, the Jamaica Trade Board and Seprod Foundation engaged Grades 4 and 5 students from both schools. They participated in a customized Primary Exit Profile (PEP) practice paper meticulously designed to instil an export-oriented mindset in these young learners.
Ms. Roshane Reid, Director of Public Education and Public Relations at the Jamaica Trade Board, expressed enthusiasm about the strategic approach behind the initiative. She emphasized that “Read Across Jamaica Day transcends mere trendiness - it aligns seamlessly with the company’s vision and mission. These are driven by the parent ministry's focus on exponentially increasing exports.”
The timing of the event was opportune, as Grades 4 and 5 students are preparing for their PEP exams in June. Teachers and students alike appreciated the practice paper, creating a win-win situation for all involved.
The Jamaica Trade Board's presence was underscored by a dedicated team, including Ms. Roshane Reid, Director of Public Education and Public Relations; Ms. Rushelle Whyte, Public Relations Officer; and Mr. Ockeem Thomas, Public Procurement Officer. Their active engagement reflects the organization's commitment to community involvement and educational initiatives that pave the way for a brighter future.
Dr. (Maj. Ret’d) Hugh Blake, Trade Administrator/CEO at the Jamaica Trade Board, explained that “the initiative aimed to gauge students' perception of export. This assessment precedes the highly anticipated launch of The Trade Board Limited’s EXPORTJamaica National Essay Competition in the upcoming 2024/25 academic year.”
Dr. Blake emphasized that “behaviour change is a critical element of the overall export strategy. Jamaica must shift paradigms - from import to export - to drive and sustain economic growth effectively.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Vanessa Nelson, Communications Assistant at the Seprod Foundation underscored the importance of the initiative by noting that access to quality education is the cornerstone to a thriving society. “Read Across Jamaica Day provides an invaluable opportunity for us to connect with students and ignite their passion for reading. It was a pleasure to share with the students and see how incredibly excited they were in hearing the stories we shared with them. Through our involvement in Read Across Jamaica Day we reaffirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the communities that we serve,” she said.
In addition, Reid admitted that she “experienced immeasurable joy at witnessing the smiles on the children's faces during the interactions. There is something magical about sharing the joy of reading and facilitating knowledge transfer, which affirms the profound impact of our engagement and strategic partnership with the Seprod Foundation. This partnership was certainly a match made in heaven which fuels our commitment to public education initiatives that nurture holistic development.”
Dr. Blake encourages stronger public-private partnerships in executing CSR initiatives. Jamaica stands to gain significantly through collaboration. The tasty treats provided by Seprod and the technical expertise contributed by The Trade Board Limited exemplify the positive outcomes of purposeful and targeted CSR activities, shaping the future leaders of Jamaica.
For more information about the Jamaica Trade Board and its initiatives, please contact us via email at info@tradeboard.gov.jm or telephone at 876-967-0507.
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About The Trade Board Limited
The Jamaica Trade Board is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce (MIIC) whose mission is to efficiently support Jamaica’s economic development by contributing to an enabling ecosystem for trade growth and development, increased local and foreign investments, and sustained job creation: through the provision of relevant trade-related information, the issuance, and regulation of trade licences and certification, consistent with the government's trade policies and agreements.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Roshane Reid (Ms.)
Director, Public Education & Public Relations
rreid@tradeboard.gov.jm
876-452-0130
Jamaica Trade Board’s Photographs & Captions from Read Across Jamaica Day 2024
Collaboration for success! Teams from the Jamaica Trade Board and Seprod Group share lens with students from St. George's Girls' School at the Read Across Jamaica Day initiative on May 7, 2024.
Grade 5 students at St. George's Girls' Primary School proudly display their customized Primary Exit Profile (PEP) practice papers, courtesy of the Jamaica Trade Board and Seprod Foundation, during a vibrant Read Across Jamaica Day celebration.
Ms. Roshane Reid, Director of Public Education and Public Relations at the Jamaica Trade Board, engages excited students at St. Aloysius Primary School during the Read Across Jamaica Day initiative on May 7, 2024, fostering a love for reading and interest in exporting.
Mr. Ockeem Thomas, Public Procurement Officer at the Jamaica Trade Board, guides a student at St. Aloysius Primary School through a dictionary exercise during a Read Across Jamaica Day initiative held at the school.
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