Government to Appoint Investment Ambassadors

The Government will be appointing investment ambassadors, who will have responsibility for stimulating economic opportunities for Jamaica overseas.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement at the official opening ceremony for the 43rd staging of Expo Jamaica 2016 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on April 14.

“We will be expanding the number of persons, who will be assisting in exploring new markets overseas and we will do this by appointing several investment ambassadors. In fact, by next week Wednesday, we will appoint two,” he said.

The Prime Minister informed that one of the Ambassadors will have responsibility for India and the Middle East, while the other will focus on Europe. “They will assist in creating new markets and opportunities for Jamaica,” he noted.

Mr. Holness said the Government has its eyes set on expanding markets for Jamaica, and as such, is moving to put a market development strategy in place. He said the Administration is also ensuring that its foreign economic policies are aligned.

“These policies should be able to open new markets, create new linkages and provide new business opportunities for the country,” he pointed out.

He said the private sector will be engaged in driving the growth agenda, with a representative from the sector to be named shortly.

The Prime Minister, in his address, declared that the Government will not tolerate unfair trade practices in the regional and global marketplace.

“This Government believes in free and fair trade, in open trade,” he said, declaring that the Government will be “assertive” in ensuring that the country benefits from commerce.

Expo Jamaica 2016 is being staged by the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) and the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) in partnership with Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

The trade show is scheduled for April 14 to 17 at the National Arena and the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.

The first two days will be geared at buyers. The event will be open to the public on April 16 and April 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Contributed by: Chris Patterson

Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), cuts the ribbon to open the 43rd staging of Expo Jamaica 2016, at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on April 14. Others assisting (from second left) are: President, Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Metry Seaga; Chief Executive Officer, FLOW, Garry Sinclair; President, Jamaica Promotions Company (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards; and President, Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), Michelle Chong.

Source: JIS

Published Date: April 15th, 2016