OCHO RIOS – – JAMPRO and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) have teamed up to display the best of Jamaican products and investment opportunities at this year’s staging of the Jamaican Diaspora Convention 2011, which is being held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios from June 15 to 17. This year’s conference is being held under the theme: “One Nation: Jamaica and its Diaspora in partnership”.
During the course of the convention, JAMPRO will be engaging members of the Diaspora in discussion on the many trade and investment opportunities that currently exist in the island. The key sectors being promoted by the agency include agriculture/agro-processing, knowledge services/information and communication technology (ICT), tourism, creative industries, and manufacturing.
For its part, JBDC will be using the opportunity to gain insight into the buying patterns and information gathering sources of the members of the Diaspora. Under the banner of its Things Jamaican retail arm, the JBDC will be using the event as a platform to showcase the creativity and ingenuity of the local manufacturing sector.
Things Jamaican currently markets authentic Jamaican products on behalf of local suppliers across the island, and will be seeking attract greater interest from the Diaspora in the many gift and craft items that are available for sale.
Among the products holding pride of place in the exhibit are the world renowned Blue Mountain coffee, art and craft pieces including ceramics and papier-mâché. Also included are condiments, sauces and confections such as tamarind balls and mint sweets.
JAMPRO is also actively promoting the Meet Jamaica initiative, which has been receiving positive responses from the delegates at the convention. Meet Jamaica is a private-public sector collaborative effort between the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and JAMPRO, designed to increase the trade of goods and services between Jamaica and the United Kingdom by capitalising on the global brand platform afforded by the 2012 London Olympics.
During a visit to the JAMPRO/JBDC exhibition booth, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Marlene Malahoo Forte, and Chairman of the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation, Mr. Earl Jarrett, commended both entities on their efforts in promoting Brand Jamaica. Senator Malahoo Forte underscored the importance of increasing the awareness of members of the Diaspora as it relates to available investment and trade opportunities, as Jamaicans residing overseas represent a strong base of potential investors and importers of Jamaican products and services.
From left: Earl Jarrett, chairman of the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation and Senator the Honourable Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, engage in discussion with Dawnelle Gilzean, inventory officer at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and Margaret Walker, consulting officer at JAMPRO, during their visit to the JAMPRO/JBDC booth at the Jamaican Diaspora Convention
The fourth biennial Jamaica Diaspora Convention is expected to attract approximately 300 Jamaicans currently residing in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada and other parts of the world.
