Maryland wants to Deepen Relations with Jamaica

The State of Maryland, in the United States, is looking to deepen its relationship with Jamaica in the areas of Agriculture, Education, Commerce and Cultural Exchange.

This was disclosed by the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, Boyd Rutherford, during talks with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ralph Thomas, at the Maryland State Capital, in Annapolis, on February 1.

“My state is interested in deepening the relationship with Jamaica, because we have so many similarities and believes that Jamaica and Maryland stand to benefit from this relationship,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor told the Ambassador that the State of Maryland is ready to begin discussions in the areas of agriculture, education and maritime interests.

He pointed out that Maryland has a number of universities and major agricultural colleges that could collaborate with the country, and that the State is also interested in forging a relationship between the ports of Baltimore and Kingston.

Mr. Rutherford said he is looking forward to the various talks and to collaborate with the various organizations in Maryland and Jamaica, in order to begin a more meaningful relationship.

“We are honoured that Jamaica’s Ambassador would come to the State House and our capital and would take the time to honour us with a visit and discuss how the State of Maryland and Jamaica can deepen its relationship.  Maryland has a large Jamaican-American population who are adamant about supporting Jamaica and we at the State level are equally interested in deepening our relationship,” he said.

Ambassador Thomas expressed delight at the opportunity to deepen the relationship between Maryland and Jamaica and pointed out that the areas of agriculture, education, commerce and cultural exchange  are vital to the growth of the country.

He assured the Lieutenant Governor and his delegation that he would liaise with the various government ministries to facilitate talks as soon as possible.

Ambassador Thomas was on a one-day visit to Annapolis at the invitation of Jamaica’s first-term elected State Senator, Shirley Natham-Pulliam.

Highlight of the Ambassador’s visit was his historic address to the 436^th session of the Maryland General Assembly, where he became first Jamaica diplomat to address Maryland lawmakers.

The Ambassador was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mrs. Marsha Coore-Lobban and Economic Affairs Officer, Mrs. Ariel Bowen.