Jamaica looks to diaspora for investment

The Jamaican Embassy in Washington and the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) are in the stages of setting up a series of events and meetings to engage Jamaican entrepreneurs especially those currently in the United States to invest in Jamaica.

Jamaican nationals in the diaspora contribute more than JMD$2 billion (US$ 23million) annually to the country.

Ms. Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States noted that Jamaicans in the American diaspora have shown an interest in financial services, information technology and energy.

Business engagements with the Diaspora have become a permanent fixture in the wake of meetings in August between the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. Christopher Tufton, and the Jamaica/USA Chamber of Commerce in Miami.

At the next engagement, the Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States will host a Town Hall Meeting, titled “Next Steps in Diaspora Engagement”, on Saturday, November 5, 2011, starting at 11am to 1pm, at the Holy Family Episcopal Church, located at 18501 NW 7th Avenue in Miami Gardens.