Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade

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Three Jamaican-owned companies were recognised by the United States (US) Department of Commerce's Minority Business Enterprise Centre, at the closing of the annual MEDWeek Business Matchmaker Conference, on
October 24, at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida.

The companies were among Florida's top eight performing minority businesses and innovators, and included Zap Courier Services, FA & M West Indian and American Grocery Store, and Caribcast TV.

Zap Courier Services, in Miami, was awarded the Statewide Minority Service Firm of the Year 2008. Established in 1983, the company has used its strategic partnering skills to align with larger delivery companies, such as UPS, to broaden its geographic base. Today, the company has a staff complement of 80, serving more than 400 customers nationwide.

Awarded the Minority Retail Firm of the Year, FA & M West Indian and American Grocery Store, has been described as a one-stop location for Caribbean grocery shoppers since 1980. Located in Miami Gardens, FA & M has become a 'meeting place' for Caribbean nationals and American friends in the Diaspora, where they purchase a variety of indigenous products and ethnic foods of the region, while reminiscing in a friendly environment.

Caribcast TV, was awarded the Statewide Minority Technology Firm of the Year. Launched in 2007, Caribcast TV is a subscription-based television service, offering consumers the opportunity to access live Caribbean radio and television options, served through broadband internet connection.

According to co-owner, Tyrone Robertson, the establishment of Caribcast TV resulted from a need for more diverse programming that would appeal to Caribbean people.

MEDWeek Co-ordinator, Marie Gill, said that with the rapid growth of the Jamaican population in Florida, it was becoming easier to identify Jamaicans with small business enterprises. She added that their individual stories of growth, success, commitment and contributions to the local economy, have given the Jamaican businesses the winning edge among the minority business enterprises.

The one-week MEDWeek Business Conference, was held from October 20 to October 24. The event, themed - 'Power of Strategic Alliances in the Global Economy' - gave some 300 owners of small and minority-owned businesses, an opportunity to share information on business financing, contractual procurement, and training, to enhance business skills.

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