Major Benefits To Come From PM’s Overseas Trips

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says Jamaica stands to benefit significantly from overseas trips made by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

In addition to improved economic, bilateral and trade relations, the overseas visits allow for the country to participate in critical investment fora, and to increase engagement with the diaspora.

“We are confident that the PM’s trips were in order and great benefits will be derived,” Senator Reid said.

He was responding to questions posed by Opposition Senator, Lambert Brown on the number of trips undertaken by the Prime Minister during the period March to December 2016, at this morning’s (May 12) sitting of the Senate.

During the period, the Prime Minister made 12 overseas trips valued at US$98,953.89.

The countries visited were the United States of America, Cuba, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, and The Bahamas.

Senator Reid said the delegation that usually accompanies the Prime Minister includes one advisor, a security officer and an assistant. On other occasions, it would include one communications officer and the Permanent Secretary.

The Prime Minister visited Morocco in November for the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

From May 3-5, Mr. Holness attended and participated in the United States/Caribbean Central Energy Summit in Washington DC, at a cost of US$859.46; and from July 3-8, Mr. Holness attended and participated in the 37th Regular Meeting of CARICOM in Georgetown, Guyana, at a cost of US$10,610.79.

The Prime Minister also attended and participated in the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), New York, from September 19-24 at a cost of US$21,686.25.