MIRAMAR – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has called on Jamaicans in Florida, in the United States, and the wider Diaspora to work together more effectively to promote investments at home.
He was speaking on Friday, September 4, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) and the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce (JAUSACC), at the fifth anniversary Awards Luncheon of the chamber, held in Sunset Lakes, Miramar, Florida.
The MOU is designed to strengthen trade relations between Jamaica and the United States.
Dr. Baugh said that as Florida is positioned as the primary gateway to the USA and easily accessible to the Caribbean, chamber members could act as an advisory group in guiding Jamaican enterprises to identify opportunities in the US market. He also indicated that they were strategically positioned to become a clearinghouse for Jamaican businesses to move goods and services through the USA.
The Minister lauded the efforts of JAUSACC and endorsed its mission, noting that the Ministry was intent on building a stronger bridge between the two economies, and was already working closely with the JTI to promote alliances between local and foreign businesses, and to increase collaboration on trade facilitation, market intelligence, trade policy advocacy and market penetration through the overseas missions.
Dr. Baugh highlighted areas attracting sizeable foreign direct investment, and creating opportunities for spin-offs. He also spoke of the development of the ports and other areas of transportation, telecommunications, agriculture and agro-industry, the Caymanas Economic Zone and the International Business Centre in downtown Kingston linking Jamaica with other regions worldwide.
Concerning the promotion and facilitation of trade and investment between Jamaica and the United States, both parties through the MOU, have mutually agreed to further those objectives and linkages between Jamaica and the United States.
Signatories to the MOU included President of the JAUSACC, Ms. Marie Gill, and Deputy President of the JTI, Mrs. Lisa Bell.
Scenes From The Expo
Memorandum of Agreement to enhance trade and investment in Jamaica being signed by signatories of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce, President, Ms. Marie Gill (3rd left) and Mrs. Lisa Bell, Deputy President of the Jamaica Trade and Invest (extreme right). Witnessing the signing at the 5th anniversary luncheon of the JAUSACC was Jamaica’s Consul General, Mrs. Sandra Griffiths and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, (center) sharing a moment with staff of Air Jamaica at their display at the recent two-day Business Expo (Sept. 3-4) of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce and partnering companies coordinated by the Jamaica Trade and Invest, the Jamaica Exporters Association and the Jamaica Manufacturers Association in Miramar, South Florida.
Onlookers at the recent two-day Business Expo (Sept. 3-4) of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce in Miramar, taking interest in the art selection ‘papier mache’ by Jamaican artist Richard Atkinson, of Cultural Arts in Kingston. This was one of some 30 booths displaying goods and services at the trade show coordinated by the Jamaica Trade and Invest, the Jamaica Exporters Association and the Jamaica Manufacturers Association.
Ms. Gill challenged the audience to continue to seize opportunities for development and growth, individually and collectively, within the Diaspora as well as in the interest of Jamaica’s economic recovery.
She spoke of JTI’s efforts to accomplish more, through a collaborative effort with the Chamber to strengthen economic ties and increase business opportunities between Jamaica and the USA.
During the luncheon, six Jamaican nationals were recipients of the Chamber’s Jamaica Milestone Awards for outstanding service in their respective areas of entrepreneurship and corporate leadership.
Those honoured included principals of Marcia’s Café, Lloyd and Marcia McGhie, in the hospitality sector; Michael and Jacqueline Shaw of Sunshine Theatre of Florida, for entertainment, arts and culture; Ms. Pauline Grant, Chief Executive Officer of North Broward Medical Center, in the area of health care; Mr. David Jamieson, owner of CARICOM Freight Consolidators, for international trade; Michael Heron, of Milltrani Management International, for engineering and construction; and Mr. Jason Cohen, of Defensive Data Solutions, for technology.
Two members of the Chamber were also honoured for their dedication and commitment to the community. The awardees were Ms. Sasha King, administrative officer, and director, Mr. Joseph Rhoden.
Some 30 companies participated in a two-day Business Expo on September 3 and 4 leading up to the signing ceremony, exhibiting a wide array of goods and services. The companies included a variety of local small businesses in South Florida along with19 participating interests from Jamaica, co-ordinated by the JTI, the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) and the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA).
The expo also included panel discussions and networking sessions hosted by the JTI, the JMA, the JEA and the National Land Agency.
Also at the function were Jamaica’s Consul General, Mrs. Sandra Grant Griffiths; Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board Member, Mr. Marlon Hill as well as members of the Broward Economic Business Alliance.
