PM Calls on Diaspora to Renew Commitment

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has implored members of the diaspora to renew their commitment to help advance the country’s development.

“I often express the view that Jamaicans domiciled in the diaspora represent the Commonwealth of Jamaica, and as such, you must never cease focusing attention on matters pertinent to Jamaica’s development and quality of life for its citizens,” the Prime Minister said.

In a message to the Jamaica Association of Maryland, at its gala to mark Jamaica’s 54^th year of independence in Baltimore, on August 6, Mr. Holness called on members to sustain the campaign to leverage the considerable influence and network of resources at their disposal to champion Jamaica’s cause and advance its development.

The Prime Minister  noted that  management of  the  economy remains a critical area of focus, as a lot of hard work has been done to implement the structural reform required under the existing four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“My administration is unequivocally committed to fostering and maintaining economic stability as well as sustained debt reduction. Importantly, however, we are committed to exercising diligence and creativity in spurring growth, attracting investments and providing avenues for greater diaspora participation, and creating jobs for our people,” Mr. Holness said.

The message, read by Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Jamaica, in Washington, Mrs. Marsha Coore-Lobban, said that while the hands of Government remain firmly on the wheel to ensure successful completion of the existing IMF programme, collaboration with other key multilateral institutions is on in earnest.

Mr. Holness pointed out that talks have already begun as to the kind of relationship Jamaica will have with the IMF when the current programme ends in March 2017.

The Prime Minister encouraged members of the diaspora to play their part “as we recommit ourselves to improving the productivity and efficiency of our economy by ensuring that our labour force is trained and certified and that businesses are able to retool and incorporate the latest technology into their production”.

Two outstanding Jamaicans, Maryland State Senator, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam and prominent attorney Franklyn Burke, were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Marcus Garvey Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Award respectively, by the Jamaica Association of Maryland for their outstanding contribution to politics and the Jamaican community.

Among those attending the ball were Maryland Secretary of State, John Wobensmith;  Lieutenant Colonel Dillon Lobban; President of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations, Rick Nugent;  President of Women At Real Risk, Mrs. Totlyn Taylor-Newby and President of the Washington-based Jamaican Nationals’ Association, Dr. Jacqueline Payne Borden.