SubscribeThe Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is excited by the future possibilities which the Diaspora community holds for national development.
With an estimated 2.6 million nationals living outside of Jamaica, the Diaspora remains a rich reservoir which the country can access to accelerate economic growth.
Already the Jamaican Diaspora is a major player in the country’s economic development through direct contribution from remittances. The Inter-American Bank in a recent publication indicates that 2005 was a record year for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Jamaicans overseas were estimated to have remitted some US$1.65 billion in 2005, 12.2 per cent more than the previous year.
Despite these significant accomplishments there is room for greater contribution. As part of an effort to deepen the collaboration between JAMPRO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and other support agencies, the Diaspora forms part of a system of organisations across a wide geographic distribution provide another important avenue of strategic alliances to achieve these goals.
With these arrangements we expect to build a foundation for sustainable economic partnerships between Jamaica and its Diaspora community, which will result in the formation of solid business linkages. JAMPRO as Jamaica’s investment and export promotions agency seeks to leverage the networking capability of the Diplomatic Corps to provide critical contacts and information as we seek to achieve our mission to expand trade and investment.
Members of the Diaspora are themselves prospective investors in Jamaica and we encourage investment by our overseas nationals not only in the traditional area of home ownership, but also in business ownership and development as well.
With Jamaica co-hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, JAMPRO has developed a Legacy Strategy which will assist our business community at home and abroad to take advantage of the immense spotlight of this global event and seeks to ensure significant benefits to the country well beyond the staging of the event. At the centre of this Legacy Strategy are plans to promote Business Brand Jamaica; the Jamaica Investment Attraction Programme (JIAP) and a series of networking services such as the Caribbean Business Club and the Caribbean Business Opportunity Service (CBOS).
The Caribbean Business Club is a business networking service which connects entrepreneurs in Jamaica and the Caribbean with their counterparts around the world to create partnerships for business growth. CBOS provides a web-based portal which allows companies to register, list their services and make contact with potential buyers and suppliers from around the world. Through JIAP, Jamaican businesses in the Diaspora and at home will have the benefit of greater market penetration in South Africa, India, China and Australia, among others.
Both CBOS and the Caribbean Business Club can bring our Diaspora community and its business activities closer to home by facilitating linkages for exports and investments.
JAMPRO commends the Jamaican Diaspora for a number of far-reaching initiatives including its involvement in the staging of the Biennial Conference along with the establishment of Diaspora Trade Councils and the Foundation which are serving to deepen the relationship with the homeland.
We envisage that through these networking services, our Diaspora community can be an active participant in building Business Brand Jamaica, forging critical partnerships and helping us to carry a fresh new message that Today’s Jamaica Means Business. We look forward to the engagement of the Diaspora community in these initiatives and welcome your participation.
Mrs. Sancia Bennett Templer,
Acting President
JAMPRO