Government to Work More Closely with Diaspora Members Toward Wealth Creation

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Audley Shaw, says the government will be working more closely with diaspora organizations to address the challenges they face in getting investments underway in Jamaica as well as toward increasing opportunities for mutual benefit.
Speaking on the behalf of Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness at the virtual staging of the High-Impact Diaspora Entrepreneurs to Efficient Diaspora Markets (BIDEM) – International Caribbean Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Conference & Trade Show on October 14, Minister Shaw said the skill-set and professional expertise of diaspora members need to be leveraged in a structured way for mutual benefit. “Traditionally, we have just tended to depend on the diaspora for remittances, but we have to go beyond this to [for example] technology transfer. Members of the diaspora through their jobs may have been exposed to technology that, if shared, will benefit Jamaica,” Minister Shaw said. The minister noted that the government’s commitment to improving the country’s relationship with the diaspora is outlined in the National Diaspora Policy (NDP), which has been approved by Cabinet. “We are working to improve the communication and synergies with the diaspora, realizing that Jamaica has not taken significant advantage of the storehouse of energy [within the diaspora]. We have not put in the mechanisms to benefit from our diaspora in a material way toward mutual wealth creation,” Minister Shaw said noting these areas will be addressed through the NDP. The Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister further outlined several areas for investment that members of the diaspora can access with the help of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). The areas include: Agro-Business and Agro-Processing; Tourism – which Minister Shaw said has several in-demand niches such as Health and Wellness Tourism, Boutique Wellness Spas and Eco-tourism; Logistics and Infrastructure as well as Energy. He said the government stands ready to partner with diaspora investors through JAMPRO and other government agencies.
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