Washington, DC – Over the past 10 years, members of the Diaspora have remitted sixteen billion US dollars to Jamaica.
This was disclosed by Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Hon. Arnaldo Brown while addressing the launch of the NE USA leg of the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project at a luncheon held at the Island Cuisine Restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, August 15, 2014.
Minister Brown said this level of inflow from the Diaspora continues to demonstrate its commitment to the country. However, in addition to remittances, other aspects of the Diaspora are critical to the development of Jamaica.
“The Diaspora which has already been playing an integral role in nation building, particularly in the health and education sectors is now being invited to strengthen its cooperation with their land of origin in the areas identified in the national grow and investment agenda” Mr. Brown said.
The minister pointed out that last year, over 300 health missions visited Jamaica from the Diaspora. In addition, he said our schools also continue to receive tremendous support from organizations, institutions and alumni.
The minister pointed out that an estimated three million Jamaicans are in the Diaspora with the USA accounting for 1.8 million of that number. The UK and Canada account for an estimated 800,000 and 300,000 respectively.
The minister encouraged this vast number of individuals to log on at www.mapjadiaspora.iom.int and participate in the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora survey. He said the goal is to have a 100,000 Jamaicans in the database by June 2015.
Minister Brown used the opportunity to inform the gathering that the sixth biennial Jamaica Diaspora conference will convene June 14 – 18, 2015 in Montego Bay under the theme, “Jamaica and the Diaspora, Looking for Growth and Prosperity”.
He said the main areas of focus during the conference would be investments, trade and social services.
Among those attending the launch was Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, Maryland House of Delegates Representative, Shirley Natham-Pulliam, President of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations, (NAJASO), Rick Nugent, President of the Jamaica Association of Maryland (JAM), Noel Godfrey and President of the Jamaican American Bar Association (JABA), Ms. Joan Pinnock.
Minister Brown while in the USA had similar launches in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
(Photo Derrick Scott)
(Photo Derrick Scott)
