Ahead of the official opening of Expo 2012 today as part of Jamaica's Jubilee Independence celebrations, group managing director of National Commercial Bank, Patrick Hylton, said it should inspire increased support for local goods and in turn stimulate development.

Some 2,000 patrons are expected to attend the four-day expo, which opens at the National Arena in Kingston today.

“Jamaica 50th presents a unique opportunity for local brands to showcase what makes us unique,” Hylton declared in a release highlighting the bank's sponsorship of the event.

“As a home-grown institution celebrating 175 years of contributing to the development of our country, this occasion has heightened significance for NCB,” the release quoted Hylton as saying.

The Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) and the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) have partnered to host the expo under the theme, 'Brand Jamaica to the World'.

Expo 2012 aims to secure business opportunities for hundreds of local products pitched to local and international buyers.

The event also highlights the socio-economic contribution made by local manufacturers, exporters and service providers.

Hylton said the bank would continue to partner with the JMA and JEA.

“As the nation’s bank, the NCB Group is committed to strengthening our legacy of service through continued support of the initiatives championed by the JMA and JEA,” said Hylton.

“The work of these entities is critical to economic growth and development and we stand proudly in support of them at every opportunity,” added the NCB managing director.

At the expo, NCB plans to set up a multi-sensory booth which will contain promotions involving its relaunched Lovebird Keycard.

The bank will also be promoting other services, including “loan and deposit offerings, credit cards, the SME product suite, as well as wealth management and investment advice, and opportunities from NCB Insurance Company and NCB Capital Market," said the release.

steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com