Jamaica comes to Singapore

Oct. 3, 2009 - PRLog -- Singapore, 25 September 2009 - The Jamaica Trade Counsel’s office in Singapore announced the official opening of Café Jamaica on 18 September 2009 at 65 Circular Road, Singapore. The café’s objective is to allow the people plying along the popular Singapore River strip and professionals from the nearby Singapore Financial District the opportunity to taste the world-renowned Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee and other well-regarded food and beverages direct from Jamaica. The Café aims to extend its reach to the wider population in the near future.

Café Jamaica, operating under the auspice of Jamaica Coffee & Rum (Asia) or JACRA for short, also operates a retail corner for consumers to purchase the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Roasted Beans from Mavis Bank Coffee Factory – Jablum, and Jamaica Standard Products. Apart from the Blue Mountain Coffee Beans, the High Mountain and High Mountain Espresso Coffee Beans are also avilable. Many individuals have already given a thumbs-up to this fine Jamaican Coffee.

Recent patron to Café Jamaica, Mr. Daniel Nauer of DNA Management Consulting, whose office is sited at One Fullerton, said, “I never would have imagined that Espresso coffee can taste this good. This is the best ever!”

Jamaica Trade Counsel to Singapore, Dr. Aloysius Tay, was present to officially declare the café open. In his opening remarks, Dr. Tay commended JACRA for their efforts in bringing Jamaica closer to Singapore. Dr. Tay also thanked the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica for their fullest support and co-operation in assisting JACRA in obtaining their trademark licensing agreement in speed time. He also expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Juliet Rose of the Ministry of Transport and Works, Jamaica, for her efforts in assisting the Singaporeans in their quest.

“Many other Jamaicans on the other side of the globe have worked tirelessly and chipped in to make this a reality and this list is exhaustive. Everyone played a critical role and I believe Jamaicans can be proud of this joint effort,” said Dr. Tay.

In fullest support of Café Jamaica, the Jamaica Trade Counsel’s office in Singapore also seconded its Trade Officer, Mr. Arthur Kok, to the Café for a period of 6 months to ensure that Jamaica is promoted in a consistent manner. Mr. Kok explained that many patrons of the Café have asked about Jamaica, its people, places and culture. Many have also expressed interest in visiting Jamaica in the near future.

A spokesperson of the Café highlighted that the Café will in the nearest future serve Jerk Chicken, Jerk Beef and also Jerk Lamb on its menu. JACRA is hopeful that more Jamaican food and beverage suppliers will get into contact with the company here in Singapore. JACRA is currently showcasing Jamaican Rum, Coffee and Starfish scented products.

Senator Norman Grant, Managing Director & CEO of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, producer of Jablum coffee, says, “The company is aggressively embarking on a market diversification strategy for both green beans and roasted coffee products and the Singapore market is one of the markets being targeted. We are therefore proud to engage Jamaica Coffee and Rum (Asia) as an agent for our products and through the assistance of Dr. Tay, we have already made our first shipment of roasted coffee to the Singapore market. We welcome the opening of the Café and look forward to increasing the supply of our product to the Singapore market over the next five years.”

Since the appointment of Dr. Tay as Transport Minister’s Envoy to Singapore and Trade Counsel to Singapore in Q1 2009, and with the opening of the Jamaica Trade Counsel’s office in Singapore on 25 May 2009 by the Honorary L. Michael Henry, an official business mission trip from Singapore to Jamaica was organised in July 2009. The opening of Café Jamaica bears witness to the growing business dealings between the two countries.

The excitement of Jamaica in Singapore has just begun. The Jamaica Trade Counsel is hopeful that in the near future, an air-bridge can be in place in linking the two regions. This will create even more business opportunities between the two countries.