MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Increased opportunities for investment and trade are among the areas of focus for this year’s staging of the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, to be held at the Montego Bay Conference Centre in St. James, June 16-19.
Development in philanthropy, social investment and diplomacy will also be priority areas for discussion, said Professor Neville Ying, Executive Director of the Jamaica Diaspora Institute, and chairman of the Conference planning committee. Speaking at the launch of the Conference at Jamaica House in Kingston on February 27, 2013, he said it was intended to build on the momentum established at the London Olympics and the 50th Independence celebrations in 2012.
“We will focus on some priority projects in Jamaica’s medium term social and economic policy framework,” Professor Ying declared. Among these are the establishment of a global logistics hub, the redevelopment of downtown Kingston and medical tourism.
Attention will be paid to capital market investing through the Jamaica Stock Exchange, he said. The Professor explained that special attention will be paid to the development of the Diaspora Bond, as well as opportunities for venture capital and partnerships with micro, small and medium sized enterprises.
In the areas of philanthropy, and social development, he pointed out, “We are trying to consolidate the very significant contributions the Diaspora has made over the years especially in the areas of health care and education.” And, he noted that this is to make the best use of the free health care services provided across Jamaica through health missions as well as the assistance offered to schools.
Sector experts, local officials and representatives from the Diaspora will make presentations at the Conference, which is being held under the theme: “A Nation on a Mission: Jamaica-Diaspora Partnership for National Development.” There will also be tours, community based activities and other opportunities for dialogue, to foster networking.
“Our Diaspora represents one of the most formidable sources of influence that any country can possess,” said Earl Jarrett, Chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation and General Manager, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). “Our national outcomes depend on Jamaicans living in Jamaica, and those living overseas.”
He stated that with the focus on forming alliances to stimulate investment in various sectors, Jamaica National will be presenting investment opportunities to delegates, which the building society facilitates through real estate, as well as local and overseas capital markets.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A.J. Nicholson, the keynote speaker, said the launch ceremony, “epitomises the serious commitment which both the Government and the private sector attach to the effective engagement of the Jamaican Diaspora in national development.”
The Minister used the event to recognise the efforts of the main Conference sponsors GraceKennedy Group, J Wray and Nephew Jamaica Limited, the Victoria Mutual Building Society, and Jamaica National Building Society.
Approximately 350 to 500 attendees are expected at the Conference, including delegates from the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada, along with members from the Jamaican Diaspora in the Caribbean. Similar launches are planned in Diaspora regions in the UK, Canada and the USA.
Earl Jarrett (right), Chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, in discussion with (at right) Richard Powell, Chairman of the 5th Jamaica Diaspora Conference Preparatory Committee and Wanica Purkiss, JNBS Executive, Mortgage Operations and Representative Offices. Mrs. Purkiss received a plaque for the support her organisation is providing to the organisers of the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference organizers, at the Conference launch held in Kingston, on February 27.
