WASHINGTON, DC – Recent initiatives taken by the Government of Jamaica to secure an International Monetary Fund loan, including the debt exchange program announced recently, are being hailed in Washington as a step in the right direction, one that “will no doubt benefit Jamaica in the long run.”
Executive Director of the World Bank, Marie Lucie Morin, gave the assessment of the Government’s initiatives during talks held this morning with Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton and his delegation, at World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“I have been listening keenly to the development in Jamaica over the last couple of days and I think what has transpired is a move in the right direction,” said Ms. Morin. “This will help to improve the economy of Jamaica and the World Bank stands ready to assist in whatever way we can.”
Minister Hilton, who arrived in Washington, D.C., last night, Monday February 18, 2013, is on a four-day visit to the US capital to promote the Global Logistic Hub Initiative. The Minister explained that the initiative seeks to position Jamaica as the fourth pillar in the logistic chain. “This is a massive project with several multi-million dollar sub projects that will enhance the global trading system.”
Jamaica’ Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, has the rapt attention of Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Anthony Hylton on his arrival, Monday, February 18, at the Ronald Reagan International airport in Washington, D.C. The Minister is in the US capital to promote the Global Logistics Hub Initiative.
(Photo credit – Derrick Scott)
As part of the exercise, “our visit to Washington is to have discussions with representatives of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the US Chamber of Commerce, and other related agencies in hopes of increasing their understanding as it relates to the scope of this project,” Minister Hylton said.
This important visit to Washington follows on several other visits that have been made to China, Singapore, Panama and the Netherlands.
Minister Hylton will pay a courtesy call on Ambassador Vasciannie, and meet with representatives of the Jamaica Nationals Association (JNA), US Trade and Development Agency, Maryland House of Delegates Representative, Shirley Natham-Pulliam on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013.
Accompanying the Minister to World Bank meeting this morning were Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie; Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM), Becky Stockhousen; Vice President of Planning and Corporate Development at Jamaica Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO), Dr. Dana Morris Dixon; President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Francis Kennedy; Chairman of the Logistics taskforce, Eric Deans; and Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Reginald Nugent. The minister and his delegation will return to Jamaica on Saturday, February 23, 2013.
Executive Director of the World Bank, Marie Lucie Morin (3rd right) and Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (directly across from Ms. Morin) in a meeting at World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., this morning, February 19, 2013. They were discussing the Global Logistic Hub Initiative. Sharing in the discussion are senior World Bank Advisors, Ian McDonald and Andrew Clarke, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, Chairman of the Logistics taskforce, Eric Deans and Advisor to Minister Hylton, Reginald Nugent.
(Photo credit – Derrick Scott)
