KINGSTON, Jamaica – Earl Jarrett, Chairman of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) Trade Policy Committee is urging all Jamaicans especially members of the business community, to embrace “Meet Jamaica” and see it as an opportunity to grow the Jamaican economy.
Meet Jamaica is an initiative of the Government and the PSOJ, which aims to increase trade in goods and services between Jamaica and the United Kingdom, as well as wider global markets, by capitalising on global attention that will come with the staging of the Olympics in London, this year.
“Meet Jamaica 2012 is a project that should be embraced and used as an opportunity to assist Jamaican companies to maximize their potential,” Mr. Jarrett said, noting that, “As a country, we must also look for opportunities to grow.”
He made the appeal while addressing the 20th anniversary of the Lions Club of New Kingston on Monday, February 27 at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston.
The Games of the XXX Olympiad, will take place from July 27 to August 12, and presents an opportunity for Jamaica, as our country’s athletic team is expected to be very successful, based on past performance. Additionally, our country is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence on August 6.
Earl Jarrett, Chairman of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Trade Policy Committee and General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society introduces the Meet Jamaica logo to members of the Lions Club of New Kingston as he addressed the Club’s 20th anniversary function on Monday, February 27.
“As a country we cannot lose sight of this unique experience where it would appear that all the stars are aligned in Jamaica’s favour,” he said. “We have to leverage the Olympic Games and the 50th Jubilee celebrations, to showcase Jamaica’s export of goods, services, and culture to the rest of the world.”
Mr. Jarrett also suggested that it is also an opportunity to strengthen international foreign relationships, and support the country’s foreign policy strategy by encouraging other nation states to continue to support Jamaica and its objectives.
The PSOJ Trade Policy Committee Chairman said that 2012 also represents a great opportunity to promote Jamaica as one of the best tourist destinations in the world.
“Through your Movement, The Lions Club, we can encourage more Lions to visit the island…to continue good works of Lions through what we call “Lion Tourism,” as well as to simply come and enjoy some of the newest tourism destinations in the Caribbean such as Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain, Outameni and the attractive Falmouth Pier,” he said.
The Meet Jamaica Initiative was launched two years ago in Kingston, with the UK launches taking place in London and Birmingham in March last year. Mr. Jarrett said since then, the initiative has received positive feedback.
Earl Jarrett (left), Chairman of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Trade Policy Committee and General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society greets Aloun Assamba who is tipped to become Jamaica’s new high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
“To date, the project has achieved some success, based on participation in the International Food and Drink Expo, the largest food and beverage trade event in the UK,” he disclosed. Some 11 small and micro enterprises were able to showcase their goods in the UK.
He said this was followed by the successful staging of the “Taste of London,” one of Europe’s greatest food and drink festival.
