Private Sector ‘Legacy Partners’ Recommit Support for Diaspora Conference

Four private sector entities have re-committed their support for the Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, the sixth staging of which takes place from June 13 to 18 in Montego Bay, St James.

The entities: GraceKennedy Limited; J. Wray and Nephew Limited; Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS); and Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), have been associated with the Conference since its inception in 2004, and are now referred to as ‘Legacy Partners’.

The term was created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry as a designation for the entities in recognition of their longstanding support of the Conference.

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency’s head office in Kingston, Chairman of the Conference’s Preparatory Committee, Richard Powell, described the private sector’s support for the Conference as an “excellent model of public/private partnership.”

“Not only are they providing sponsorship, but they have been actively involved in the preparations to guide the direction of the Conference,” he said.

Additionally, he said representatives of the four entities are also members of several Conference sub-committees, which focus on various aspects of the event’s planning.

Mr. Powell, who is also VMBS’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said the Legacy Partners have also assisted in promoting the event overseas through their interaction with members of the Diaspora.

He pointed out that “we all do have inroads into (that) market, and we see it as a natural extension of the Jamaican market place.”

“It is really quite a huge effort on the part of all of the participants in the staging of this Conference…not just in terms of providing…sponsorship, but (also) taking an active role in the programme development and planning in all facets of the event,” he added.

In urging other business interests to support the Conference, Mr. Powell argued that “you may not yet have seen the value in the Diaspora markets; (but) come on board and join in this effort. It’s really important, not just for market development, but for the development of our country.”

Mr. Powell said the preparatory committee, which was established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs, comprises representatives of several Government Ministries and agencies, as well as other private sector stakeholders.

“They see the greater good in promoting a conference of this nature because of its intended impact in terms of economic growth and development in the country, and also in the social sectors,” he stated.

The six-day conference, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre under the theme: ‘Jamaica and the Diaspora: Linking for Growth and Prosperity’, seeks to place emphasis on social development, and trade and investment.