Two Major Projects to Be Launched During Upcoming Jamaica Diaspora Conference

Two projects, aimed at enhancing communication and engagement between Jamaica and the Diaspora, will be launched during the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James from June 16-19.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, will officially launch the Diaspora Registration Portal (DRP) and Jamaica Diaspora Engagement Model (JAM-DEM) on Wednesday, June 19.

The DRP will streamline registration and provide a database of Diaspora members, while JAM-DEM will ensure that the Diaspora’s contributions are effectively integrated into Jamaica’s national development plan.

State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, made the announcement during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ at the Agency’s head office in Kingston.

Mr. Terrelonge, who has responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, said the projects are important initiatives aimed at improving engagement with the Diaspora and providing platforms to facilitate trade and investment.

He pointed out that the DRP can assist in the event of a crisis abroad by facilitating consular services.

The Ministry offers consular services to Jamaicans at home and abroad via its overseas Missions, Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates General and Honorary Consulates.

“So it is an important mechanism to know where Jamaicans are, [to] know where the numbers are in terms of how many Jamaicans are in various locations, to be able to provide them with assistance,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

Regarding the JAM-DEM portal, he said the facility will allow Jamaicans across the Diaspora “to see, in real time, what investment opportunities there are in Jamaica and how to be engaged in those.”

“So, it will effectively integrate them into the national development plan,” Mr. Terrelonge added.