Strong Interest in Jamaica Investment Forum

There is strong investor interest in the upcoming 'Jamaica Investment Forum 2012' with some 120 local and overseas delegates already confirming attendance and participation.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, said the number includes foreign investors, major local business interests, and resident ambassadors. There will also be strong representation from the Diaspora.

“This is a forum with a difference, which will showcase Jamaica as a place to do business,” he stated on February 21, at a Think Tank held at the Jamaica Information Service's (JIS) head office in Kingston.

Minister Hylton noted that the JAMPRO-organised forum, set for March 1 and 2 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James, will provide an "unparalleled opportunity for investors to see, touch and feel Jamaica as an investment destination."

The forum will present a portfolio of significant projects across various sectors, and feature a slate of high-profile local and international speakers to share ideas on the way forward. Focus will be placed on priority areas of niche manufacturing, tourism, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), logistics, and major privatisation and development projects.

"We expect that the forum will be a unique opportunity for investors to see Jamaica in a different setting and not just be about sand, sun, sea and fun, but a good place to work, live and do business," Minister Hylton stated.

President of JAMPRO, Sancia Bennett Templer, told JIS News that a major focus is to bring the private sector in Jamaica in contact with the prospective investors from overseas to ensure there is possibility for the development of joint ventures and partnerships.

"We are coming out with a brand new slate of promotional materials, new brochures and videos for the forum, and a public-private dialogue website, as we look to the sustainability of the efforts behind the investment forum itself,” she informed.

The two-day forum will feature discussions and presentations on topics including: ‘Invest in Jamaica: Invest in a Global Brand’; ‘Investment Opportunities in Jamaica;’ and ‘Tourism: Invest in Tourism’.

Among the key speakers are: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller; Ministers from key sectors including agriculture; tourism, investment and commerce; and representatives from local and foreign investment entities.

'Jamaica Investment Forum 2012’ is part of a broader programme dubbed: ‘Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Jamaica’ which is aimed at developing investment attraction plans for various sectors.

The programme is being spearheaded by the Inter-Development Bank (IDB) and the Compete Caribbean initiative, which involves collaboration between Caribbean governments and private sector groups to improve competitiveness and economic growth across 15 beneficiary countries in the region.

By Kadian Brown, JIS PRO