Venezuela and Jamaica to Improve Trade Relations
By: , May 22, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (fourth left) and President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Nicolás Maduro Moros (third left) pause for a photo opportunity ahead of a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss agreements from bilateral discussions between the two countries. President Maduro was on a working visit to the island along with his wife, Cilia Flores (second right). Also pictured (from left) are: Minister of Finance and Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Andrew Wheatley; Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda; and Venezuelan Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Maria Mendoza Ortega.The Facts
- Jamaica and Venezuela have enjoyed strong ties of history, friendship and cooperation over the years and are members of regional mechanisms, such as the PetroCaribe and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
- It was also, the 200th Anniversary of the Jamaica Letter, written by the Great Liberator Simon Bolivar in Kingston on 6th September 1815. President Maduro on that visit also opened the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre in downtown Kingston.
The Full Story
High-level deliberations with the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela His Excellency, Nicolás Maduro Moros, have lead to agreements on trade, energy and culture.
This was revealed by Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, at a press briefing on Sunday (May 22) at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Venezuelan President arrived in the island on Saturday, May 21 for a working visit.
Mr. Holness said the two countries agreed to improve trade relations, especially through arrangements under the PetroCaribe Agreement.
This initiative, he said will be led by Minister of Finance and Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw. He further expressed appreciation to Venezuela for its commitment to the agreement, which he noted has contributed to Jamaica’s energy security and social and economic development.
He said there is also an expedited agreement on the Refinery Upgrade Project, which is important to the economic development of Jamaica.
Additionally, there was a decision to strengthening cultural ties, particularly through cooperation with Venezuela’s El Sistema, a world renowned youth orchestra and system of training youth in music.
“We look forward to the continued cooperation and collaboration between our countries, and reiterate our appreciation to Venezuela for their generosity over the years,” Mr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister extended warm welcome to President Maduro, noting that this meeting is an indication of the strong ties of history, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Holness urged a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of disputes in Venezuela.
The bilateral discussion was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator, the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith; Minister of Finance and Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw; Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; and Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Andrew Wheatley.
Ambassador for Economic Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Nigel Clarke; and Ambassador of Jamaica to Venezuela, Her Excellency Sharon Weber were also present for the discussions.
The Venezuelan delegation, meanwhile, included the Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez; Minister of Petroleum and Mining, Hon. Eulogio del Pino; Minister of Industry and Commerce, Miguel Perez Abad; Minister of Government Administration, Hon. Jesús Salazar; Minister of Communication and Information, Hon. Luis José Marcano; and Vice-Minister for Latin America and Caribbean Affairs, Hon. Alexander Yánez Deleuze.
Jamaica and Venezuela have enjoyed strong ties of history, friendship and cooperation over the years and are members of regional mechanisms, such as the PetroCaribe and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
President Maduro last visited Jamaica in September 2015, for the Summit to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the PetroCaribe Agreement.
It was also, the 200th Anniversary of the Jamaica Letter, written by the Great Liberator Simon Bolivar in Kingston on 6th September 1815. President Maduro on that visit also opened the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre in downtown Kingston.