From The Prime Minister of Jamaica

Congratulations JFrom the MESSAGE 53 years of IndepePrime Minister of Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP

Prime Minister of Jamaica

2022 INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE TO JAMAICANS IN THE DIASPORA

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP

On the Occasion of JFH Independence Celebration I extend warm greetings to the members of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston as you commemorate Jamaica’s 60th Independence.

Jamaica has a vibrant and rich history. Steeped in our history was the determination to be politically independent. Sixty years later this feat has been accomplished, but modern Jamaica must not only be politically independent; we must be economically independent.

As the Government takes the necessary steps to secure economic growth and prosperity, I commend the Diaspora for its efforts in securing opportunities for Jamaicans at home and abroad. Jamaica is poised for growth and development, and the diaspora plays an integral and active role in the process. As a country, we are mindful that we must partner for growth. It is for this reason the Government continues to undertake initiatives that will harness the power of the diaspora.

The Diaspora is a national asset, therefore we must identify and cultivate avenues to connect with highly skilled individuals and link them to various national economic development projects.

The Jamaica Foundation of Houston has undoubtedly demonstrated its dedication to Jamaica’s development. This is evidence through the many contributions to education and community development. On behalf of the people of Jamaica, I thank you wholeheartedly for your commitment to nation building.

I seize this opportunity to encourage every member of the Foundation to continue to invest in Jamaica. You play a meaningful role in private and public investment, trade, knowledge transfer, and in providing mentorship and strategic guidance to local businesses and entrepreneurs.

As we ‘One Nation, One People’ this Independence, we salute you and look forward to greater partnerships as together we make Jamaica the place to live, raise families and do business.

Best wishes for a successful Independence celebration.

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica

Jamaica Sees Potential of CARICOM Visa

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, says the implementation of a regional visa regime among CARICOM nations has huge economic potential for tourism recovery and development in the region.

“A regional visa regime is something that we’ve been talking about. I think if we are to build Caribbean tourism, then we must recognize that as individual states, we are too small to grow and to benefit from the recovery of tourism as it now stands, but together as a region, we can grow and we can benefit,” Bartlett outlined.

He was addressing journalists at the inaugural Organization of American States (OAS) on building the resilience of Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises’ (SMTEs) at the Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay on July 20, 2022.

“A big advantage of this multi-destination is that it offers multiple experiences for visitors who are coming from long haul areas. So, let’s say you’re coming from China and have three weeks of vacation. You don’t want to spend three weeks in Jamaica alone, but you can spend a week in Jamaica, three days there, two days here, another day somewhere else and you come back to wherever the hub was. One fee, one package, one price and we all benefit from it together,” the Minister explained.

Additionally, he stated that CARICOM nations would also stand to benefit from sharing common airspace where airlines flying into the Caribbean will pay one fee. He said the tourism visas could also facilitate pre-clearance arrangements for visitors coming into the region.

“It will allow them to clear customs in Jamaica and be domestic in Trinidad, Barbados and so on, and what that will do in essence, it will bring more airlines into our space because the turnaround time for the aircraft will be significantly reduced as a result. More rotations could be had, and thus more visitors can come in,” Mr. Bartlett pointed out.

“The other element of importance is that it also provides a new skill set to be developed in the Caribbean area. What tourism will be doing is now saying we’re not just people who have bartenders, cooks, and housekeepers, but we are into technology, aviation, logistics and procurement,” he added.

The high-level policy forum was a two-day event (July 20-21) with representatives from more than 50 countries across the Americas.

Source: Jamaica Information Service