Jamaica looking at expanding missions to encourage investment
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): The Jamaican government is taking a
comprehensive look at its diplomatic missions across the world, in
order to penetrate new markets abroad so as to increase exports and to
bring investors from those countries to establish and expand business
opportunities in the island. Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Kenneth Baugh, who was in Nassau, Bahamas
as part of the Jamaican delegation for the March 7-8 Inter-sessional
meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, told members of the Jamaican
community there, that the government was looking at establishing new
missions in a number of countries not previously explored. These
include countries such as Brazil, Spain, Kuwait, South Africa and
Haiti. Baugh, along with Industry Minister, Karl Samuda, had joined Prime
Minister Bruce Golding in addressing a special meeting of Jamaicans on
Thursday night. They took the time out to update Jamaicans living in
Nassau on the government's social and economic programs. Responding
specifically to questions relating to the possibility of establishing a
high commission in the Bahamas, Baugh said a number of countries were
very anxious for the Jamaican government to establish missions in their
countries and they have demonstrated their seriousness by investing
heavily in Jamaica. Spain, he said was one such country, which
has been investing heavily in Jamaica. He said that country has plans
to build some 20,000 hotel rooms in Jamaica and had been contributing
to Jamaica's agricultural program by investing some $3 million
dollars in a greenhouse project as well as a development program for
the old capital, Spanish Town. He said the government was giving
favorable consideration to their request to establish a mission in
Spain. Kuwait, is another country which he said was anxious to
have Jamaica establish a mission there. Dr Baugh noted that a group of
Kuwaiti parliamentarians had visited the island recently and had
expressed an interest in Jamaica establishing a mission there. They
have demonstrated their interest in Jamaica through their assistance
with road and highway construction projects. He said Jamaica
continues to have an intense and close relationship with several
Caribbean countries and is especially interested in Haiti. Baugh noted
that because of their proximity, Haiti could be a good marketplace for
Jamaican goods. Baugh said his Ministry has joined forces with
the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment to work along with
ambassadors and foreign missions in helping to attract serious
investment and employment generating projects to Jamaica. Source: CaribbeanNetNews
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