FT. LAUDERDALE – The Jamaican Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw, will be the headline speaker for the this year’s “Outlook for the Future” a series of economic forums, hosted by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), under the theme, “The Economic Imperatives for Jamaica 2009.”
He will be joined by Miss Lisa Bell, Vice President of Jamaica Trade and Invest.
The forums, targeted to Jamaicans in the Diaspora, started in the United Kingdom in May, and will continue in North America, with sessions in Florida and New York, USA, June 4 and 6; and Toronto, Canada, on June 25, according to Mr. Earl Jarrett, General Manager of the Jamaica National.
Hon. Minister Audley Shaw
“Since its inception in 2003, “Outlook for the Future” has become one of the primary vehicles for our national leaders to interact with a wide cross-section of Jamaicans in the Diaspora,” Mr. Jarrett pointed out, noting that, “This year’s forums are timely, because they follow immediately behind the Budget Debate in Jamaica; and, therefore, offer a special context for meaningful dialogue.”
Commenting on the impact of the global economic fallout and its impact on Jamaica, Mr. Jarrett, who has been addressing the subject of financial planning across the island, reasoned that, “If there was ever a time for dialogue with nationals overseas, it is now. We want our people to fully appreciate the value of their remittances to relatives; and the unique opportunities that exist for real investment in tourism and other areas of our economy.”
He also said that based on the positive stance of participants in last year’s Jamaicans in the Diaspora Conference in Kingston, he was confident that second and third generation Jamaicans overseas wanted to be more active in developmental initiatives in the country.
In Florida the forum will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel, at Sawgrass, 13400 West Sunrise Blvd., starting at 7:00 p.m.
“In our many years of serving Jamaicans in the South Florida we at Jamaica National have seen benefits that have accrued to families through home ownership and education; and pensioners, who continue to enjoy the fruits of their labour overseas, when they return to Jamaica,” Mr. Jarrett stated.
Mr. Earl Jarrett, GM
He also noted that Jamaicans in South Florida have expressed interest in receiving first-hand information about current developments in their homeland; and pointed out that the direct interaction with key leaders, “Not only provides us with information about the economy; but, also reconfirms the supportive role that Jamaicans in the Diaspora can play in promoting investment in the country.”
This is the fifth year that Jamaica National has mounted “Outlook for the Future,” which started in 2003. And, over the years, leaders of the Government and key public sector Executives have headlined the forum.
Some of the previous speakers in the series have included the current Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding, when he was a member of the Opposition; Dr. Omar Davies, former Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr. Peter Phillips, former Minister of National Security; Dr. Carlton Davis, former Cabinet Secretary; and Mr. Lucius Thomas, former Commissioner of Police.
