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Prime Minister's Press Secretary
Thursday,
February 16, 2006 - Acting Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has congratulated
a locally-based manufacturing company on its recent acquisition of a Jamaican
company as it prepares for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
It was announced on Monday that Harris Paints has purchased B-H Paints, a
popular Jamaican paint manufacturing company.
Mr. Pierre, who is also the island’s Minister of Commerce, Investment and
Consumer Affairs, said the move by Harris and the involvement of its local
branch “is in keeping with the direction our local manufacturers have to take
ahead of the CSME.”
He noted that while some small businesses will need help to meet the competition
that will come with the new single market and economy, “companies like Harris
Paints that can make that leap expand the reach must be encouraged to do so.”
Harris Paints’ principals say the acquisition of the new Jamaican paint plant
will increase their share of the regional market and strengthen the group’s
distribution network and technical resources, as they move forward with plans
for regional and international expansion.
Harris Paints is based in Barbados and has plants in St. Lucia, Dominica and
Guyana.
With the acquisition of B-H Paints, Harris has established a Regional Management
Team, which includes the CEO of Harris Paints St. Lucia, Mr. Keith Smith.
The Acting Prime Minister said he hoped that “other companies of similar
capacity will emulate the example of Harris Paints, which has been an active and
forward-looking manufacturing concern in St. Lucia over the years.”
