News

The Denbigh Agricultural & Industrial Show will serve as a platform for the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and its subsidiaries to recommit to a group focus on the nation's agricultural sector and rural regeneration, says General Man-ager Earl Jarrett.

JN House, the JN Group's pavilion at the Denbigh show grounds in Clarendon, is being refurbished to serve the needs of the country's farmers and rural communities through a 'one-stop shop' approach, he said. Over the Emancipation weekend, from July 31 to August 2, Denbigh show attendees will be able to learn more about the Society's core businesses-savings and loans, as well as the products and services of its subsidiary companies.

And these entities will highlight the relaunch of JN Small Business Loan's Farmer's Choice; the Jamaica Automobile Association's (JAA's) roadside assistance programme; NEM Insurance Company's general insurance services; as well as other prime offerings.

"Our focus at this 58th Denbigh anniversary show will be on special products and services geared for the farming community," Jarrett said. The JN Group is in the second year of a three-year partnership arrangement with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), organisers of Denbigh.

"An important development will be the promotion of the updated 'Farmers' Choice' loan product by JN Small Business Loans," Frank Whylie, general manager, stated. He said the loan product has been reshaped to meet the special needs of small farmers.

"It is a timely product, which could benefit small- and medium-size farmers who were prepared to, grow what we eat," he affirmed.

Jarrett, who chairs the JAA, said its islandwide provision of roadside assistance services was a benefit, especially to those who travel through rural districts, and particularly to farmers.

The JAA also offers an extensive discount programme to its members, which facilitates the purchase of motor-vehicle parts as well as other goods and services at reduced cost.

"This is another area where we can be of service to farmers," he said.

A vintage vehicle display, in association with The Jamaica Classic Car Club, is being put on as a special treat for car lovers. The JAA will also conduct road-safety demonstrations for children to improve their road use practices.

Accident response

"NEM Insurance Company will feature its general insurance products," says General Manager Chris Hind, noting that all motor-vehicle customers insured by NEM are entitled to free accident response provided by the JAA. He added that some categories of customers are also entitled to free JAA membership, along with their insurance from NEM.

Leon Mitchell, marketing, promotion and sales executive of the JN Group, said: "A special feature of the JN House will be the introduction of JN Express to Denbigh."

JN Express centres offer Internet banking kiosks, JN video transfer booths and deposit boxes, along with telephone access to the JN member care centre.

Mitchell explained that the building society's mortgage department will be represented through a mortgage centre, to assist those wishing to acquire new homes.

"We are revisiting some of the core concepts to which we were committed in the past, one of which is to assist in boosting agricultural production to satisfy local consumption," Mitchell said. "This is part of the driving force behind Jamaica National's support to the Jamaica Agricultural Society and its promotional events, such as the Denbigh Show."

The JN House at Denbigh will be designed to showcase the products and services of Jamaica National and its subsidiaries, including: JN Money Services Limited, JN Fund Managers Limited, JN Small Business Loans Limited, NEM Insurance Company Limited, JN Finance Limited, Management Control Systems, Manufacturers Credit & Information Service Limited, and the JNBS Foundation. The JN House will also boast a hospitality area for invited guests.

An entertaining guest appearance will be made by Jinny, the JN mascot at this year's show, outside May Pen in Clarendon.

Special features of the JAS' programme at Denbigh will include the National Champion Farmer Competition, the National Young Farmer Competition, as well as the National Farm Queen Competition.