Industry State Minister Leads Youth Delegation to Panama

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, is leading a youth delegation to Panama from September 24 to 28 to participate in the Fourth Panama World Trade and Investment Foundation ‘Youth Ambassadors Programme’.

Eight young persons from the Corporate Area and Montego Bay will participate in activities and seminars on business and investment opportunities in Panama; real estate opportunities; how to do business in the Free Zone; creative leadership; exploring Panama’s agricultural development; tourism; creating youth empowerment for hemispheric leadership; and also on regional youth development.

“This programme is to help build entrepreneurs and to raise the consciousness of the young people about business opportunities and development as we look forward to being the  fourth node in the Logistics Hub in the world,” Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams said, as she addressed the youngsters prior to their departure earlier on Tuesday, September 24.

“Jamaica is positioning itself in a very strategic place and at this time the Ministry considers it very important that young people be informed and be ready to participate in all of the opportunities which will make themselves available when we, in fact, become the fourth node in logistics in the world,” the Minister added.

She pointed out that the trip presents a wonderful opportunity for the youth to understand key entrepreneurial skills in preparation for leadership in their communities. The Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce is covering the cost.

“We consider this visit also important, so as to expose the young Jamaicans to Panama’s maritime facilities and economy; and to advance Jamaica’s youth involvement in investment, trade and the micro, small and medium business development agenda embedded in Jamaica’s logistics hub, which is on the way,” Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams said.

She informed that the Youth Ambassador’s Programme has as its focus, leadership development, cultural exchange and community service.

Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams will also be making a presentation on ‘Exploring Logistic Hubs in the Americas’ at the conference. Also scheduled to make presentations from Jamaica are Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness, who is to speak on ‘Education of Youth of the Americas for Leadership’; and Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, who will address the topic, ‘Tourism Development and Regional Integration in Central America’.

In the meantime, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Panama in Jamaica, Erick Cajar Grimas, provided a quick overview of his country. He presented on some of the main economic and social indicators of Panama and about two of the most important mega projects being undertaken presently –  expansion of the Panama Canal and  construction of the Panama metro system.

He also emphasized the strong historical, cultural and friendship ties which link Panama and Jamaica and which is reflected in the more than three generations of Jamaicans on Panamanian soil.

“These co-operation and friendship ties are renewed again as seen in the interest of the Government of President Martinelli to support Jamaica in the execution of the Vision 2030 Project and the construction of a global logistics hub, through the signing of important co-operation agreements with different arms of the government of Jamaica, mainly in the tertiary education sector (universities) and the air, maritime and logistics sectors,” he said.