In an article headed 'Factories Which Produce Solely For Export! the Kingston correspondent of the Financia} Times talked about the 'new approach'which foreign businessmen and investors are now taking to manufacturing in Jamaica. Since 1957, some 30 industries, employing nearly 5,000 workers have been set up to produce exclusively for export mainly to the U.S.A, Half of these have gone into operation since 1961 to produce a wide variety of goods, ranging from hair accessories to electronic computer cards. With the exception of two anadian and one or two Jamaican firms the export manufacturing operations are all American owned. Low wages are a big incentive, The ail island average is estimated to be between 1/9 and 2/6 an hour, Manufacturers can draw from an almost limitless unemployed labour pool (18% to 25% of the labour force). The Kingston correspondent of the Financial Times says that 'A private poll among representative employers showed that most agree that with proper training Jamaicans become efficient workers.! Other incentives are tax hdidays, duty free import of raw material and machinery, proximity to the U.S, market and the provision of land and erection of factory buildings by the Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation. The Kingston correspondent writes, 'Most of the firms produce goods that are competitive for price in the U.S. Sixteen of the companies, all American, manufacture textiles. Incentives, plus low wagesprobably below 2/6 an hour (These firms do not reveal their wage scales, allow them to cover the cost of raw materials imported from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and even the U.S. itself, transportation, import duties on the finished product, and still make a profit.'
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It is small wonder that this correspondent concludes his article by saying 'And them is evidence that more and more are becoming interested to judge by the number of enquiries received in the U.S. and Canadian officis of the J.I,D.C. There are also strong rumours that U.S. firms operating in Puerto Rico, faced with expiring tax holidays and rising wages, are looking to Jamaica,