Seiveright highlights Jamaica’s growing investment momentum at Ireland business reception

DUBLIN, Ireland — State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Delano Seiveright, on Monday evening highlighted Jamaica’s growing international investment momentum and expanding business opportunities while addressing a high-level reception in Dublin, Ireland.

The reception formed part of Jamaica’s ongoing trade and investment mission to Ireland and the United Kingdom, being coordinated by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. The reception also brought together Irish business leaders, members of the Jamaican private sector delegation, representatives of JAMPRO and the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), members of the Jamaican diaspora and other stakeholders.

In remarks that blended business, culture and investment promotion, Seiveright described the engagement between Jamaica and Ireland as “long overdue” while positioning both countries as globally connected island nations with significant opportunities for deeper trade, investment and commercial cooperation.

The minister highlighted similarities between Jamaica and Ireland, including strong democratic traditions, globally recognised cultures, powerful diasporas, English fluency, resilience and entrepreneurship.

“Ireland transformed itself into one of the world’s great investment and innovation success stories — in technology, pharmaceuticals, aviation leasing, food innovation and exports. Jamaica is pursuing its own transformation through logistics, tourism, digital services, manufacturing, agro-processing, renewable energy and infrastructure development,” Seiveright stated.

Referencing globally recognised brands from both countries, the minister pointed to Irish companies and products such as Guinness, Jameson, Ryanair and Kerry Group, alongside Jamaican brands including Red Stripe, Appleton, GraceKennedy, Sandals and Wisynco.

He also pointed to Digicel, founded by Irish entrepreneur Denis O’Brien, as a major example of successful Irish enterprise and investment within Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

During the address, Seiveright outlined Jamaica’s improving macroeconomic and investment position, noting historically low unemployment, reduced debt-to-GDP levels, expanding logistics infrastructure and increasing international investor confidence.

The minister highlighted several major investments across Jamaica involving international and local investors spanning tourism, energy, logistics, mining, infrastructure, agro-processing and real estate development.

These include major expansion projects by United States-based Excelerate Energy in the LNG and energy sector; Spain’s Palladium Hotel Group and Princess Hotels in tourism; Mexico’s Palace Resorts through the Moon Palace development in St James; The Pinnacle luxury residential development in Montego Bay; major agro-processing and sugar investments involving regional and international partners in Clarendon; as well as growing investment activity by Amrize, the United States-Swiss building materials company now operating Jamaica Aggregates.

He also referenced continued investments by strong Jamaican companies, including Sandals Resorts International, GraceKennedy, Wisynco and Seprod.

He also pointed to continued expansion by Jamaican companies, including Sandals Resorts International, GraceKennedy, Wisynco and Seprod, while noting continued growth in Jamaica’s logistics and digital services sectors.

Seiveright additionally highlighted Jamaica’s rapid recovery and reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa, including the role of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) and Facilitated Acceleration of Strategic Transformation (FAST) Jamaica in accelerating infrastructure delivery and resilience efforts.

The minister further noted that Jamaica has recorded major reductions in violent crime, including murders falling by more than 40 per cent in 2025.

Seiveright also acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Andrew Holness and portfolio Minister Senator Aubyn Hill in advancing Jamaica’s broader economic reform, investment and business development agenda internationally.

The minister said the mission will continue this week with additional meetings involving Irish and British ministers, senior business leaders, investors, trade stakeholders and members of the Jamaican diaspora in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, as Jamaica intensifies efforts to strengthen export growth, investment inflows and international commercial partnerships.

Seiveright was joined at the reception by JAMPRO President Shullette Cox, representatives of JSEZA, members of the Jamaican business delegation and Jamaica’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Ireland, Alexander Williams.

Source: Jamaica Observer