I came across an interesting article in Today's Gleaner. It sheds light on a growing trend: higglers (Jamaican Informal Commercial Importers) going straight to China to buy goods. Traditionally, higglers would buy goods in places such as Panama and Florida. Although the trip to China is much longer, it is worthwhile. China is the source of most of the world's manufactured goods. It is much cheaper to buy goods in China. Therefore, the higglers' profits will be much higher if they buy their supplies there. Click here to read the article

                          Whether it takes place in the informal or formal economy, it is good to see examples of people adapting to the market and thriving. I have always believed that Jamaican leaders should focus on finding ways of transferring the dynamic energy found in the informal economy into the formal economy.