Diaspora Group Seeking to Partner with Government

The United States (US)-based National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO), is looking to partner with the government in order to find ways to assist in the country’s development.

NAJASO’s chairman, Dr. Richard Constable, said that the organisation intends to put forward a proposal, and seek a meeting with the government and members of the private sector later this year, to discuss the plan.

The decision to partner with the Government came out of the organisation’s executive retreat held recently at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NAJASO chairman said that its member organisations could help in several ways, including attracting meaningful investments from its members and other interests, as well as promote investment in Jamaican government bonds.

Dr. Constable said that the executive board also suggested the establishment of a process to assist needy students, who have excelled academically, and are seeking higher education, but cannot otherwise afford the cost of tuition.

The board also proposed the development of a recycling programme that would help with unemployment, and to increase its support for the island’s health and education sectors.

Dr. Constable said the organisation is committed to encouraging Jamaicans residing in the US as well as American corporate interests, to renew their focus on Jamaica.

“It is important that new opportunities for investments be communicated to the Jamaican public at large and to those in the American business sector, who have an interest in developing economic partnerships with local players, in the Jamaican market place,” he stated.

He said NAJASO will be taking the lead to ensure that the country benefits from these potential investments.

NAJASO, a non-profit organisation founded in 1997, is the umbrella organisation of 100 Jamaican and supportive bodies throughout the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

The chairman said that the establishment of a NAJASO Chamber of Commerce, in addition to the refocusing and rebranding of the organisation, are among its goals this year.

Among the attendees at the retreat were Head of Public Relations, Carol Williams; Medical Chair, Dr. Charles Anderson; Co-Chair, Dr. Rudolph Willis; National Fundraising Chair, Dr. Robert Clarke; Ambassador Curtis Ward; Sonia Ward; Beverly Morrison; Brian Anderson; Dr. Relva Buchanan; Cassandra Chase, Young Professional Chair; Denise McCallaCreary; Shauna Chin and Jennifer Asher.