Industry Ministry and US Chamber of Commerce to Host Joint Conference on Logistics Hub

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the United States Chamber of Commerce are to host a joint conference in Jamaica, aimed at promoting the Global Logistics Hub Initiative.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, during a meeting with Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie at the Embassy in Washington, D.C., last week.

Mr. Hylton said the decision to hold the conference was made during a meeting with representatives of the US Chamber of Commerce, who pledged their support to partner with Jamaica on this project.

He added that the Chamber will be taking a large delegation of members and investors to the conference, to discuss how they can participate in the various investment opportunities that can benefit both countries.

The Minister said that meetings with representatives of the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), were very fruitful. Representatives from each organization expressed their willingness to work alongside Jamaica for a successful project.

Mr. Hylton said what was significant about the trip to Washington was the vast number of requests for unscheduled meetings from potential investors who are interested in the logistics hub.

The Minister and a delegation were in Washington to promote the Global Logistics Hub Initiative, which is aimed at taking advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal by 2015.

Mr. Hylton was accompanied by Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM), Becky Stockhousen; Vice President of Planning and Corporate Development at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Dr. Dana Morris-Dixon; President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Francis Kennedy; Chairman of the Logistics Taskforce, Eric Deans and Advisor to the Minister, Reginald Nugent.