Photo credit: Jamaica Observer
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) has indicated that the Jamaican Diaspora, which numbers some three million people, located mainly throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, is contributing much more to the Jamaican economy than through remittances.
According to CaPRI, the Diaspora contributes a minimum of 23 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) through several sectors, including investments and tourism, but has the potential to contribute at least 35 per cent.
The University of the West Indies, Mona-based Think-Tank revealed its data during the Diaspora Growth Forum, organised by The Jamaica National Group, on day two of the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, being held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston. The event runs from July 23-27.
“That leaves us with an unexploited value of 12 per cent of GDP,” argued Shanike Smart, Research Officer at CaPRI, who led the study along with Executive Director, Dr Damien King.
Photo credit: Jamaica Observer
That’s significantly higher than the 16 per cent of GDP or US$2.2 billion earned from remittances sent to Jamaica from the Diaspora countries. GDP is the total value of the goods and services the country produces
“While a lot of us think there is value in the Diaspora there is not a lot of empirical evidence and data to validate this value preposition,” argued Ms Smart, who presented the data on behalf of the team.
She underscored that while the value of remittances contributed by the Diaspora is known, the attendant economic benefits to remittance business and other entities that play a part in the transmission of funds to Jamaica, is not measured. CaPRI estimates that the companies earn some US$188 million annually, although not all of these funds flow into Jamaica.
“While this figure isn’t entirely attributable to the Jamaican environment, it does give us an idea of the benefit of the Diaspora beyond the individual persons who receive it. The business environment benefits as well,” she noted.
However, beyond remittances, many in the Diaspora invest in economic institutions and instruments in Jamaica. Looking at the investments held in banks; bonds and the stock market, CaPRI estimated that Jamaicans overseas have about US$400 million invested in the country. Outside of Jamaica, they are estimated to be saving some US$12.4 billion.
The estimate supports evidence that most Jamaicans in the Diaspora are affluent, with 80 per cent having some form of tertiary education; and 70 per cent earning more than US$40,000 annually.
“While we are not expecting to get all of this money, a portion of this can be targeted for local investment. Let’s say we targeted 10 per cent. We are looking at US$14 billion, which accounts for 14 per cent of our GDP,” Ms Smart illustrated.
Jamaicans overseas also play a significant role in exports as purchasers of Jamaican goods and services; and also, as trade facilitators, CaPRI outlined. They account for some ten per cent of the exports to the US, Canada and the UK or US$89 million. However, the Think-Tank says the potential is US$129 million.
“They (the Diaspora) facilitate even the idea of setting up the business in the first place and they recommend them to their neighbours and friends,” Ms Smart said.
CaPRI noted that, through a survey it administered, it appears that persons in the Diaspora are also vibrant tourists, spending some US$159 million in the tourism sector. They represent some seven per cent of all stop-over visitors, and that is projected to increase.
“The dollar figure represents some six per cent of total expenditure by all tourists annually,” Ms Smart said.
“It’s clear that the Diaspora represents value in this area because their value is not just simply having more in the Diaspora spending more money, but the fact that they occupy a niche, they can attract other non-Diaspora individuals,” the Research Officer made her case, noting that Jamaicans overseas could be used as Brand Jamaica ambassadors.
The Diaspora’s contribution to the Jamaican economy is also felt in philanthropy. Since 2014, the health sector alone received US$14 million in donations. And, this does not take into consideration man-hours in voluntary services.
CaPRI indicated that its next study will seek to determine the hindrances to Jamaica exploiting opportunities regarding the potential of the Diaspora; and engaging Jamaicans overseas in stronger partnerships.
