MIAMI – Jamaica’s Ambassador to the US, His Excellency Anthony Johnson, encouraged Jamaican nationals returning home to look for lucrative investments on the island as productive ways to be financially profitable, and avoid the alternate financial schemes.
Speaking at the first annual Charity event of the All Christian, Incorporated, in Miami, last Sunday (June 29), the Ambassador cited varied opportunities for investment in the areas of tourism, information technology, business outsourcing, agro-food processing and manufacturing.
In addressing the gathering, largely Jamaican nationals, at the Old Cutler Presbyterian Church, Mr. Johnson spoke of the Caymanas Economic Free Zone initiative, a community production enterprise to be established in the Ferry section of St. Catherine.
The proposal under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment, would be housed on 500 acres of land, housing numerous industries and clusters in the areas of manufacturing, pharmaceutical, information technology, food processing and warehousing along with other sectors of production.
Explaining that this model of Free Zone development has proven successful on the Asian continent as well as in Panama, the Ambassador said that this industrial estate would be a great source of employment as well as foreign exchange earner contributing to greater national development in the country.
Mr. Johnson also encouraged returning residents to utilize the overseas consulates and mission offices in accessing information to facilitate easier transition as they relocated and resettled in Jamaica.
Relating to information to those persons interested in establishing businesses, Mr. Johnson spoke of the necessity to research those procedures relating to the importation of capital and investment equipment relating to their needs.
The Ambassador also expressed congratulations to Jamaican national, Billy McKillop, a Christian missionary who was returning home, after nearly 30 years, to give back to his country by serving in ministry to those in need.
Under his mission organization, Ministries in Action, Mr. McKillop, along with his wife and three children, would relocate in early August to work through the church to assist in community development, church growth, evangelism and theological training.
Proceeds from the inaugural charity event would benefit the McKillop Ministries in Jamaica as he pursued his mission which he described as ‘religion with a purpose – equipping leaders for ministry and missions.’
