Technical Cooperation for Ethanol Development

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and Brazilian Minister of External Affairs Celso Amorim, have discussed how Jamaica could benefit from assistance in developing ethanol as an alternative source of energy. Mr. Patterson said ethanol, as a renewable source of energy, had acquired even greater significance with the projected changes to the sugar protocol with Europe. The Prime Minister said that with oil prices rising on the world market, identifying other sources of energy was important. He pointed out that this would also impact the expansion of the Jamaican economy.
In a wide-ranging discussion during a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at Jamaica House on Monday (May 16), Mr. Patterson and the Brazilian Foreign Minister spoke about issues relating to the promotion of South/South cooperation, the Free Trade Area of the Americas as well as trade negotiations between MERCOSUR and CARICOM. The discussion also examined the proposed reform of the United Nations, noting that emphasis should be placed on the character and nature of the UN reform in light of current global challenges and realities.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepening bilateral relations as well as cooperation at the international level.
The Minister of External Relations who was on a one-day visit to Jamaica also visited the Ethanol Plant at Marcus Garvey Drive and met with senior officials of the University of the West Indies.