Jamaica’s Consul General to NY, urges Diaspora to invest in Jamaica

By Derrick Scott

Washington, DC – Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Trudy Deans, have urged Jamaicans in the Diaspora to take advantage of investment opportunities being offered by the Jamaican government in various sections of the economy.

Addressing the Jamaica Civic and Cultural Association of Rockland County, New York, on Thursday April 6 at the Civic Centre, the Jamaican Consul General said it was “high time that members of the Jamaican diaspora employ a more strategic approach to owning a piece of the Rock.”

She told the mainly Jamaican audience that “there are myriads of investment opportunities that are available in Jamaica, and while we welcome foreign investors, you are also welcomed to participate in this partnership and lucrative investment opportunities.”

The Consul General said with approximately three million Jamaicans residing in the diaspora, the island could easily double its gross domestic product (GDP) “if we found seamless ways of integrating the economic power of the diaspora into our local economy.”

She pointed to areas such as Tourism, Renewable Energy, Medical Tourism, The Logistic Hub, The Redevelopment of Downtown Kingston and the Business Processing Outsourcing sectors, as prime targets for investment.

Drawing their attention to the buoyancy of the Jamaican economy, Ms Deans told her audience that government had set a target for economic growth of five percent over the next four years, and was on a path of a higher sustained growth that will ultimately benefit the poor and vulnerable.

“Among my many plans this year, is to engage Jamaicans in the diaspora who are not associated with any organization, as well as to re-engage those who no longer participate, in an effort to build partnerships for projects that are sustainable projects for Jamaica. This also includes 2^nd and 3^rd generation Jamaicans,” the Consul General said.

She invited the Jamaicans to take advantage of “Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference” which will be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Downtown Kingston, from the 23 to the 26^th of July.

There, they will have an opportunity to interface with government and other stakeholders and get an opportunity to hear what the government is doing as well as to make suggestions.

The Consul General announced that plans were in high gear for the celebration of Jamaica’s 55^th year of independence by the Consulate and that the Minister of Culture Hon Olivia Grange would launch the activities on April 28, in Philadelphia.

Consul General Deans was recognized by Rockland County, New York with a Proclamation, declaring April 6 as Trudy Deans Day in Rockland.

She was also recognized by the Rockland City Council for being the tenth woman and the youngest person to be appointed in that position.