Newsletter 2nd Edition

JANUARY 2021

VOL. 2

www.congenjamaica-ny.org 767 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017 (212) 935-9000

NEWSLETTER

The latest news and updates from the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York IN THIS ISSUE

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TABLET AND LAPTOP INITIATIVE

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JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE DAY: JOINT CEREMONY WITH CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN

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JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE DAY: ACTIVITIES AROUND THE USA

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JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE DAY: INSTAGRAM LIVE WITH SHERYL LEE RALPH

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JNVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN JAMAICA - JAMPRO JAMAICANS IN THE DIASPORA SPORTS

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CG'S DID YOU KNOW FEATURE ON A JAMAICAN BUSINESS IN THE DIASPORA

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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: TRAVEL TO JAMAICA (RESIDENTS)

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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: TRAVEL TO JAMAICA (NON-RESIDENTS)

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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: TRAVEL TO THE USA

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CONSULAR SERVICES

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Appointments for all in-person Consular Services MUST be made on our website: (www.congenjamaica -ny.org)

NEW CONTENT! The "CG's Did You Know" feature of the Newsletter is dedicated to highlighting Jamaican-owned businesses.

Thank you Essential Workers!

THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAMAICA, NEW YORK CONVEYS ITS GRATITUDE TO ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS OF JAMAICAN DESCENT, WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION DURING THIS ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, is responsible for thirty-three (33) states across the United States of America, as well as the territories of Bermuda and Puerto Rico.

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Tablet and Laptop Initiative: Second Shipment of Tablets for Jamaican Students In January 2021, the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York shipped an additional 370 tablets to Jamaica, under the Consul General's Tablet and Laptop Initiative: A Device for Every Child - Bridging the Digital Divide.

In addition to the 832 tablets the Consulate General of Jamaica sent out in December 2020, this shipment will continue to bridge the digital divide for our students in need.

"We are deeply grateful to our partners and friends for their generosity in providing Jamaica's students with these additional learning devices," said Consul General Mrs. Alsion Wilson, O.D.

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Tablet and Laptop Initiative: Jamaica Consul General, New York, secures over JM$21 million towards the Tablet and laptop Initiative Following the Launch of the Tablet and Laptop Initiative under the theme: A Device for Every Child – Bridging the Digital Divide, the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, secured approximately US$150,000 (JM$21 million) towards this important project.

Consul General Alsion Roach Wilson said "we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our many partners and friends, who have contributed to this noteworthy achievement.”

The Consul General, while commending all partners and friends for their outstanding support, extended special thanks to the Fisher Family Foundation and the Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation for their contributions.

Article contributed by the Jamaica Observer on Consul General Wilson's efforts on the Laptop and Tablet Initiative in January. The full article can be found online at: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Jamaica_Consul _General_secures_over_21m_towards_laptop_initiative

In acknowledging other donors, the Consul General also expressed her appreciation to Adam Groothuis, Brigid Donnelly, Greg Johnson, Raymond Goulbourne, Monroe College, Houston Moncure, and the Honorary Consul in Los Angeles, Joy Stephenson-Laws, for their contributions.

The Consulate General renewed calls for other individuals, diaspora groups and organizations to partner with the Consulate General on this most worthwhile initiative, which will serve to ensure equal access by all students to remote learning devices in Jamaica and thereby granting them the opportunity for empowerment through education.

To donate to the Tablet and Laptop Initiative you may choose any one of the following options: (1) By way of cheque/cash to the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York; (2) In person delivery at the Consulate during opening hours (Mondays-Fridays from 8am to 4pm); and (3) By way of wire transfer, which would be facilitated upon making contact with the Consulate at 212-935-9000.

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Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day: Joint Celebration with Consulate of Japan For the first time in its history, the Jamaican Consulate General, New York, executed a weeklong campaign to reintroduce the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee (JBMC) as a viable product into the US market.

One notable standout of this campaign was the Joint Jamaica-Japan JBMC live broadcast, which was hosted at the Jamaican Consulate on Friday, 8th January 2021. Consul General Wilson highlighted the significance of co-hosting the event with the Consul General of Japan to New York, given the strong JBMC bilateral partnership between Jamaica and Japan.

To achieve this objective, the Jamaican Consulate General also partnered with: Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA), Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Jamaica Trade Promotions (JAMPRO), and collaborated with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Association of Japanese Importers of Jamaica Coffee (AJIJC), Bloomberg TV, and Witham Family Hotels.

Highlights of the occasion are captured below:

In celebration of the 3rd Anniversary of JBMC Day, Consul General Wilson extended JBM Coffee gift packages to important partners and friends for their support of JBMC.

Japan’s Consul General, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi, reaffirms Japan's commitment to the J-J partnership and JBMC.

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Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day: Joint Celebration with Consulate General of Japan

Hon. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries emphasized that, "the best days of Blue Mountain Coffee are actually ahead of us, due to the taste profile and rich culture sewn into every coffee bean.” He invited the audience to reward themselves by drinking Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee every day because they deserve the best.

Amb. Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, sipping the greatness of JBMC.

Consul General Wilson (left) and Consul General Yamanouchi (right) exchange flag pins from their respective countries.

From Left to Right: (i) H.E. Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations; (ii) Mr. Josiel Motumisi Tawana, Consul General of South Africa to New York; (iii) Mrs. Alsion Wilson, O.D., Consul General of Jamaica to New York (iv) Amb. Kanji Yamanouchi, Consul General of Japan to New York (v) Mr. Abdelkader Jamoussi, Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco to New York.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke of the US 9th Congressional District in New York highlighted the potential for expansion in the US market, on the basis of the "unparalleled taste of JBMC." 4

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Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day: Activities Around the USA Add a little bit of body text

Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, O.N., M.P., (right), enjoys a cup of JBMC, during his interview with Mr. Tim Stenovec, anchor at Bloomberg TV (left).

As part of the Consul General's week-long series of activities for the 3rd anniversary of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee (JBMC) Day, Consul General Wilson organized television interviews on primetime networks, state-wide hotel promotions, and JBM Coffee Stations.

In reflecting on the highlights of the 3rd Anniversary of JBMC, Consul General Wilson said, “it’s been my vision to take our JBMC to new heights in the USA and beyond, given its incomparable smooth, rich, organic taste as the king of all coffee brands”.

Most notably, on 8th January 2021, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, O.N., M.P., was interviewed by Bloomberg Television about Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and its interest all over the world because of its taste and quality.

In highlighting the significance of the day, Prime Minister Holness spoke about the rich history and legacy of JBMC: “Jamaica was one of the largest coffee exporters in the 1800’s in the world and we continue to take great pride in our coffee” said Prime Minister Holness.

The Prime Minister welcomed the increased interest in the US and encouraged greater consumption of the product throughout all 50 states.

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Witham Family Hotels, from the state of Maine, promoting JBMC to their guests.

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Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day: Instagram Live with Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph Consul General Alsion Wilson, O.D., closed off the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee (JBMC) week-long series, with an Instagram live accompanied by American-Jamaican actress and friend, Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph, on her Instagram page @ladyalsion.

Ms. Ralph (middle right) joined live from the Jablum Coffee House in Kingston, Jamaica, with Mr. Norman Grant, President of the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA), along with JAMPRO and the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Association (JACRA).

Consul General Wilson (top), Ms. Ralph (bottom right), and Mr. Grant (bottom left) invited the audience to answer JBMC questions, as a means of increasing awareness and deepening interest in JBMC. Congratulations to @kimbo_mills2.0 and @marskyjam from Instagram for being selected this year’s JBMC winners.

Ms. Ralph explained that she never used to drink coffee until she was filming a movie with Denzel Washington in Jamaica. For Ms. Ralph, it was love at first sip, which blossomed into an unbreakable JBMC bond. “I am so enamored with this coffee's [JBMC] velvet taste, sweetness, and aroma."

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Investment Opportunities in Jamaica

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Jamaicans in the Diaspora: Sports

As part of the Consulate General of Jamaica's engagement with the Diaspora Sporting Community, Consul General Alsion Wilson, O.D., (left) had dialogue with Ms. Shaneka Gordon (right), who visited the Consulate General on 14 January 2021, to renew her Jamaican Passport. The Consul General was delighted to learn that Ms. Gordon, Football Player, who was also a former Reggae Girl, is currently residing in Iceland where she holds the position as a Striker with Iceland Club I.B.V. Ms. Gordon shared that she has been living in Iceland for 8 years and has been with the aforementioned Football Club for 6-7 years.

We want to thank Ms. Gordon for allowing us, at the Consulate, to highlight her talent and take this opportunity to encourage her to continue making Jamaica proud in Iceland.

Also featured in this photograph is Mr. Christopher Benjamin from JAMPRO (middle).

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CG's Did You Know Feature on Jamaican Businesses in the Diaspora

Feurtado Shipping As part of the Consulate General of Jamaica's efforts to promote Jamaican businesses in the Diaspora, businesses were invited in the first volume of our Newsletter to send their profiles for consideration.

For this month's publication, the Consulate General will feature Feurtado Shipping, as the first of many Jamaican-owned businesses within the Diaspora.

The history of Feurtado Shipping began with Mr. Joslyn Feurtado, the father of the current CEO, Mr. Phillip Feurtado, 25 years ago. The company was conceptualized on the principles of reliability and trust, as tenets of its logistical operations.

Feurtado Shipping 11237 Guy R Brewer Blvd Queens, NY 11433 +1 (718) 523-5099

The company's operations are between the United States of America, and Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Mr. Phillip Feurtado prioritizes customer satisfaction as key to his company's operations with hard work as foundational to his business continuity model. “Everyone around me works hard and I have been blessed with having good people around me, good customers and a good foundation,” he said.

Mr. Feurtado also takes great pride in his corporate social responsibility as a key partner in the Consulate General's Tablet and Laptop Initiative. Feurtado Shipping is credited for providing assistance in shipping remote learning devices from the USA to Jamaica, for the benefit of students in need.

[Content contributed by Feurtado Shipping]

We look forward to highlighting other Jamaican companies that have shared their business profiles and those that will do so, for consideration.

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COVID-19 Protocols: Travel to Jamaica (Residents) For more information, please visit jamcovid19.moh.gov.jm

Step 1: Complete Travel Authorization Process on jamcovid19.moh.gov .jm

Step 2: Home Quarantine for 14 days from date of entry.

Step 3*: Persons assessed as high-risk as a result of exhibiting symptoms, exposure to persons who have tested positive, belonging to a high-risk group or other risk factors may be subject to testing upon arrival.

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COVID-19 Protocols: Travel to Jamaica (Non-Residents) *For more information, please see www.visitjamaica.com Category 1: Visiting Jamaica for tourism purposes and staying at approved “resilient corridor” accommodation

Complete Travel Authorization Process on visitjamaica.com.

Present a negative PCR or Anitgen test at the airport.

Follow "Stay In Resilient Corridor" control measures at approved accomodation.

Category 2: Visiting Jamaica for business purposes for less than 14 days

Category 3: Visiting Jamaica for other purposes including tourists not staying within the “resilient corridor”

Complete Travel Authorization Process on visitjamaica.com.

Present a negative PCR or Anitgen test at the airport.

Complete Travel Authorization Process on visitjamaica.com.

Present a negative PCR or Anitgen test at the airport.

Upon arrival in Jamaica, a second COVID-19 test is administered. Follow "Quarantine for Business Traveler" measures at hotel/intended address until a negative result is returned.

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Remain in quarantine at-home/intended address for 14 days from their date of entry to Jamaica.

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COVID-19 Protocols: Travel to the USA (Residents and NonResidents) *For more information, please see jm.usembassy.gov

Step 1: Get tested for COVID-19, 1-3 days before flight departure.

Step 2: Provide proof of negative COVID-19 test to airline before boarding the flight.

Step 3: Get tested 3-5 days after travel and stay home for 7 days after arrival.

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Consular Services

DID YOU KNOW? The Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, continues to offer the following services:

For all Consular Services, applicants must use the appointment system of the Consulate General which may be accessed by visiting https://cgnyconsular.youcanbook.me/ For express renewal of Machine-Readable Passports (passports issued after September 2001), applicants can have this service done at a fee of $280.00 for Adult Renewals and $250.00 for Minor Renewals. The processing time is approximately ten (10) business days. At the same time, please note that Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) reserves the right to request additional documents during the process, which implies additional time.

Payment for services using debit and credit cards (attracts 4% Bank surcharge). Cash and money orders remain effective. There is an independent photographer at the Consulate General who charges US $15 for two photographs (cash only). Photographs taken at a professional photo studio are also accepted, provided that they meet the photograph guidelines outlined at https://congenjamaica-ny.org/passportphoto-requirements/ Pharmacies and convenient stores should be avoided for photographs.

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Upcoming Events Reggae Month ................................................................................................February

Black History Month Celebration ...................................................................February

Investing in Jamaica, A Virtual Forum .................................................March 3rd-4th

International Women's Day ...............................................................................March

Nurses Week Event ...............................................................................................May

Mother's Day Recognition.....................................................................................May

#CGonthebeat ......................................................................................May-November

Father's Day Recognition ....................................................................................June

Annual Independence Day celebrations..........................................................August Church Service Flag Raising Ceremony U.N. Related Events.....................................................................................September

Heritage Month Celebrations............................................................................October Consul General's Heritage Awards

Annual Christmas Gifting and Uplifting community outreach hosted by Future FM Radio, in partnership with #CGonthebeat ................December

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Acknowledgements The Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, would like to thank the following organizations and businesses for their participation in this month's Newsletter: Bloomberg News Consulate General of Japan in New York Feurtado Shipping Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA) Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) Witham Family Hotels

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