Analysis Of Export Barriers Of Jamaica MSMEs Manufacturing Sector

Micro,Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(MSMEs)play a vital role in stimulating economic growth and development,for emerging economies like Jamaica.MSMEs contribute to Jamaica’s job creation,act as a tactical tool to improve their export sector and enhanced the gross domestic product.The designated(21)barriers faced by Jamaica’s MSMEs in the export market impede the maximum involvement to the growth of the export sector.This research involved an analysis on the export barriers faced by MSMEs in export market with special reference to the manufacturing sector.The main aim of this research is to identify major export barriers faced by MSME exporters and nonexporters of manufacturing sector in the export marketplace of Jamaica.In order to accomplish the objective of the research,both qualitative and quantitative approach were used.Self-administered structured questionnaires,e-mails and personal interviews were used to collect primary data and was conducted through a survey in which data was collected from a sample of 130 MSMEs comprising102 exporting and 28 non-exporting MSMEs.These were selected randomly from the Jamaica Exporters Association(JEA),Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association(JMA)and Jamaica exports directory 2018.This database was used in conjunction with aid of Ministry of Industry,Commerce,Agriculture and Fisheries(MICAF).The study was conducted in MSMEs positioned in the capital city,Kingston.Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS version 23)to determine the extent at which the designated barriers in question affect exporting MSMEs.A separate set of questions was administered to non-exporting SMEs to determine the challenges that hinder them from exporting.The outcome of this study revealed that high production costs,lack of export finance,lack of export assistance/incentives,difficult standards,shipping and logistics,the need to adapt products for regional and global markets,foreign restrictions and regulations,insufficient production capacities,lack of market information in foreign markets,foreign non-tariff barriers and lack of government incentives,pricing and promotion in foreign markets are the main barriers to exports for Jamaican’s manufacturing MSMEs sector.Moreover,the study could reveal that GOJ should also finance more agricultural programmes especially ago-processing(food).Also numerous export support programs studied disclose that MSME exporters usually perform better when working in collaboration.It is also obvious that GOJ should proliferate its support endowment programs by offering MSMEs exporters financing and market information on imported countries at reduced costs.