The private sector with the support of the Environmental Action Programme (ENACT) has established the Business Council of the Environment (BCE). This Council which is an environmental collaboration by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Jamaica Manufacturers Association, Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce, Jamaica Bankers Association, Jamaica Employers Federation and Small Business Association of Jamaica.

The BCE will be the major conduit through which the private sector will create awareness among their members on the importance of sustainable development in achieving and maintaining competitive advantage in the global market place as well as equipping them with strategic knowledge and skills in the areas of trade and the environment. The BCE will also assist the sector in interacting with regulatory bodies to influence policies.

The formation of the BCE is very strategic as it comes at a time when the private sector is in the consolidation mode and with limited resources, collaboration on projects of this nature is the only prudent, effective and cost efficient way to provide services of this technical nature to all its members.

Other BCE programmes will include:
· Proactive action on trade imperatives such as the FTAA
· Delivery of training events that emphasize International Environmental Standards, Environmental Management Systems and Better Business Practices,
· Networking between information resources to maximize limited resources and using information as a competitive tool
· Cooperating on infrastructure initiatives for waste exchange.

The formal launch of the BCE will take place on Tuesday June 4, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. at the PSOJ in the Sam Mafood Conference Room, 39 Hope Road Kingston 10.