Cuba a threat to Jamaica's manufacturing sector - Stephenson

A former Jamaican ambassador to Cuba is warning that the country could lose some of its manufacturers to the communist nation, as its economic and diplomatic relations with the United States improve.

Ambassador Stewart Stephenson has expressed concern that the opening up of  Cuba could cause some of the country's manufacturers to relocate to that country.
 
He raised the issue as he delivered the main address at the recent Taylor Hall, UWI Mona's 62nd Anniversary Dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel: 

He said that a manufacturer recently expalained to him his rationale for considering a move of his operations to Cuba: "The labour costs are lower there, they are more efficient in terms of their efforts and their work, and we are being offered tremendous incentives by the Cuban Government to come and establish manufacturing interests there."

It was a threat that Jamaica needs to take seriously, he stressed.
 
Hitherto, there has been far more concern in Jamaica about the potential threat to Jamaica's tourism industry, emanating from the opening of Cuba to American visitors. Ambassador Stepehson is less concerned on that score, however, asserting that Cuba cannot compete with Jamaica in the area of  customer service.