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Commercial Hub for Jamaica

June 15, 2005

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Thailand is to consider the establishment of a commercial hub in Jamaica, from which it would conduct business with the rest of the Caribbean. To this end, a trade delegation from Thailand, comprised of business leaders and government officials, could visit the island in the ensuing months for talks with local counterparts.
This was conveyed to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on Tuesday (June 14), by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Surakiart Sathirathai, during a bilateral meeting held in Doha, Qatar. Mr. Patterson is in Doha as Chair of the Second South Summit of the G-77 and China.
Mr. Patterson welcomed the proposal, noting that it was a timely one, given the creation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that is to come into being by year end. He said Jamaica was already a major transshipment point for goods coming into the region and was therefore a suitable location.
The Prime Minister said the country looked forward to receiving a delegation for Thailand to further explore the possibilities for trade and investment in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.
Mr. Patterson also held bilateral talks with Nepalese King, His Excellency Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and the Foreign Minister of India, Natwar Singh. The meetings focused mainly on issues that affect developing countries and the impact the G-77 could have on negotiations in the World Trade Organization.
The discussions also took note of the reform of the United Nations (UN), but highlighted the need for changes in the Bretton Woods institutions, which still remained outside the control of developing countries.
It was agreed at the meetings that the reform of the UN should also focus on the strengthening of the General Assembly and the empowering of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to promote development co-operation. The enhancement of South-South trade and economic co-operation was also discussed.

Last Updated: June 15, 2005

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