WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to attract a greater level of investment and investors to Jamaica, the country’s envoy to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie has outlined several investment opportunities now available in the country.
Ambassador Vasciannie in an addressed to members of the Washington Interior Governmental Professional Group (WGPG) at a reception hosted by the Ambassador and his wife, Mrs. Lisa Vasciannie at the Embassy of Jamaica on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 pointed to investment opportunities in the Global Logistic Hub Project (GLHP), tourism sector, technology, agriculture, sports and information technology.
The Ambassador told to the group that the government at this time is inviting investors to take full advantage of the myriad of investment opportunities now available in the logistic hub Project which aims to take advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal by 2015.
He said that the Logistics Hub Initiative is a massive multi-million dollar project with several sub-projects that will enhance global trade.
Opportunities in the related to the GLHP include projects such as the widening the Kingston harbor, the creation of a free zone, construction of a dry dock as well as an airport. The Ambassador said Jamaica is actively positioning itself to take advantage of the flow of large ships through the Panama Canal in 2015.
Ambassador Vasciannie noted that he would be working to secure a greater level of investment in Jamaica as well as to promote Jamaica’s exports in the USA. He said he wanted to generate a greater level of interest in Jamaica as a place for doing business by highlighting the profitable opportunities that exist in Jamaica in several sectors.
Mrs. Lisa Vasciannie, wife of Ambassador Vasciannie (right), greets US congresswoman, Yvette Clarke at a reception hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Vasciannie for members of the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group at the Embassy of Jamaica .
Photo credit: Derrick Scott
Given Jamaica’s proximity to North and South America, the country’s level of education is comparable to that of large and small countries. In addition he noted that the country has an independent judicial system and that human rights are respected. These in addition to the various incentives that the government offers, it is hoped that the country will attract more investors.
Turning to the lotto scam, Ambassador Vasciannie said, “ I want to make it clear that the government wants to emphasize that this activity is illegal and is doing everything possible to eradicate this scourge. With the introduction of new legislation, this should not only make it clear that the government is serious about removing this scourge, but it will send a message to perpetrators that this is illegal”.
The imposing of penalties of 20-25 years for scam activities along with the enactment of the evidence act is sending a message loud and clear that we are moving in a direction to stamp out lotto scam activities in Jamaica”, said Ambassador Vasciannie.
World Bank Interior Vice President, Dr. Wolfgang Koehling (left), has the rapt attention of Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie (center) and Asst Secretary General to the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, at a reception hosted by the Ambassador and Mrs. Vasciannie for members of the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group.
Photo credit: Derrick Scott
He told the over 50 attendees that the government has a five point plan which includes public education and awareness, increased enforcement, enactment of new laws, strengthening of the judiciary and predatory rules along with restitution.
In her remarks US congresswoman, Yvette Clarke announced that through her efforts along with those of congresswomen, Shirley Jackson Lee and Maxine Waters, the defunct Congressional Caribbean Caucus has been resuscitated. She said that within the next few weeks, the caucus would meet with members of the Caricom Diplomatic Corps, members of the Organization of American States (OAS), various Caribbean Diaspora groups, NGO’s and the private sector to address many issues that plague the region.
“I look forward to working with the Ambassador and many of the Jamaican organizations in the Diaspora to facilitate this initiative and to bring middle income states like Jamaica into full prosperity”, she said.
The Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group is the premier organization comprising of executive level professionals who gather periodically to interact and network with key policy makers from the private sector, congressional officers, federal agencies and the diplomatic community.
US congresswoman Yvette Clarke (2nd left), is greeted on her arrival at the embassy of Jamaica by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie (2nd right) on her arrival at the embassy to attend a reception hosted by the Ambassador and Mrs. Lisa Vasciannie, for members of the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Looking on (l-r) are Asst. Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin and President of the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group, Nelson Garcia .
Photo credit: Derrick Scott
