Financial Markets Symposium and Fair for Downtown Kingston

Downtown Kingston will host a major financial markets symposium and fair which is aimed at boosting the ordinary citizen’s knowledge and involvement in the financial system.

The event, which is to run from August 29 to 31, is being organised by the Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation (JDIC) in partnership with the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ); Financial Services Commission (FSC); Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE); and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).

Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Angela Brown Burke, has welcomed the initiative, noting that it “fits in with the KSAC’s strategic priorities.”

Speaking at the event’s media launch on August 8, Mayor Brown Burke said that in these economic times the KSAC supports any activity that seeks to build confidence in the financial system and to improve the financial literacy of the majority of citizens.

The Mayor further commended the JDIC for its venue selection, noting that it was in keeping with the KSAC’s drive to “bring people downtown.”

The Financial Markets Symposium and Fair will be held under the theme: ‘Promoting Financial Inclusion through Public Education and Awareness,’ and is specifically structured to appeal to the average Jamaican depositor, particularly those who are not part of the formal financial system.

Its objectives are to educate consumers on the products/services available in the financial marketplace; increase consumer understanding of financial system regulation and protection; and promote financial inclusion.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JDIC, Antoinette McKain, said the event was being staged under the company’s public education awareness programme and “is the seminal event marking our 15^th anniversary.”

She informed that through the event which is free to the public, the company hopes to improve the financial literacy of persons.

“It’s about awareness and it is about attitudes, and what we really want to do is to influence the attitudes of persons to finance,” she added.

The symposium will be held at the BOJ auditorium on August 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. and will feature presentations on various aspects of the financial system including regulatory protection.

The St. William Grant Park will be the venue for the fair which will be held from August 30 to 31, starting at 10:00 a.m. It will feature booth displays by various financial micro finance firms, regulatory and government agencies; simulated stock market trading and tours to the BOJ and JSE.

In addition, there will also be mini-interactive presentations on topics relating to finance and investment. Other features include a Children’s Village and lunch hour and evening concerts featuring popular Jamaican entertainers.