South Florida’s Jamaican Diaspora to host a Jamaican Trade and Business Forum in South Florida

HOLLYWOOD – The Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States and the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce will host a Jamaican Trade and Business Forum at Florida Atlantic University, 2912 College Avenue, Liberal Arts Building, Room 120, Davie, Florida, Saturday, June 10, 2006, 8:30AM – 2:00PM.

The goal of the forum is to inform Jamaicans living overseas and other interested investors how they can participate in Jamaica’s economic development.

Two panel presentations will form the agenda for day-long Forum. These include business development in Jamaica with emphasis on the Tourism sector. Tax implications and technological advances to doing business in both Jamaica and the USA will also be discussed. Other topics will include accessing funding for small and medium businesses and wealth creation in Jamaica.

Additionally, the attendees will have direct access to Jamaican agencies-Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB). Accountant Leary Mullings who practices both in Jamaica and Florida will also be on hand to meet with the forum participants.

Noted Jamaican attorney, Mr. Milton Samuda of Myers, Fletcher & Gordon and Mr. Adrian Bailey-Haye of Palma Jamaica, Inc. will also make presentations on economic development in Jamaica with focus on opportunities in the nation’s tourist industry.

Managing Director of National Commercial Bank, Mr. Patrick Hylton will deliver the keynote address at the opening session.

Jamaican attorney and talk show host, Mr. Ronnie Thwaites along with Miramar City Commissioner and talk show host, Mr. Winston Barnes, will be moderators throughout the day’s proceedings.

The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Shadow Minister for Tourism for the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), with responsibilities for the Jamaican Diaspora will also address the forum participants
Senator Delano Franklyn, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, with responsibilities for the Jamaican Diaspora will speak on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and its implications on the Jamaican Diaspora.

“This Forum presents a unique opportunity for those interested in doing business in Jamaica, and also an avenue for business people in Jamaica who want to link with the Jamaican Diaspora as an emerging market.” says Ms. Dahlia A. Walker-Huntington, Advisory Board Member for the Southern United States. “An increasing number of Jamaicans are doing business in both the United States and Jamaica, and services that will help this process will be discussed at that forum,” according to Ms. Walker-Huntington.

Ms. Marie Gill, President of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce, describes the Forum as “a potentially rewarding opportunity for those who are seriously considering a new venture, or an expansion of their existing businesses, whether they are focusing on Jamaica as a market of origin or as a destination market. “There is money to be made by investing in Jamaica,” Ms. Gill said.

She indicated that the forum will address investment opportunities, building supportive collaborations and joint ventures in the U.S. and in Jamaica, and the role that the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce and other organizations can play as effective and supportive partners in this process.

Personal One a company that offers long distance phone service to Jamaica and virtual offices in Jamaica, which is a key ingredient to anyone in the Diaspora who wants to operate business in both places, will be on hand to speak one on one with Forum attendees.

Additionally, Michael Heron & Associates, architects and interior designers with offices in Florida and Jamaica will be present with offerings of housing in Western Jamaica for personal use and as an investment vehicle.

La Pluma Negra a Jamaican T-Shirt design company and Stonewear Designs, a Jamaican clothing manufacturer will be presenting their merchandise for sale to the attendees.

The event is sponsored by the National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Limited. Supporting sponsors include JAMPRO, The Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce, (JAUSACC), Sun Sentinel, D&G Sodas, Ting, www.southfloridacaribbeannews.com, The Gleaner, South Florida Gleaner Extra, Ocho Rios Miami Trading Co., Grade Foods, Caribbean National Weekly, and Caribbean Today.
Registration fee for the forum is $15.

For further information interested persons can contact 954-963-8555.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the educational institutions supported by the Jamaica Diaspora Southern USA, – the Epping Forrest All Age in St. Elizabeth and Woodford Basic Schools in rural St. Andrew.

The Forum is a direct result of the inaugural Jamaican Diaspora Conference held in Kingston, Jamaica June 15 and 16, 2004. The two-day conference shared dialogue with 250 delegates from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom along with delegates in Jamaica on issues of concern to Jamaica and her Diaspora.

A seven member Advisory Board was elected from the delegates to advise the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade with responsibilities with Diasporic affairs on those issues affecting the various overseas communities in which Jamaicans reside.

The second bi-annual Jamaican Diaspora Conference will be held this year in Jamaica on June 15 and 16, 2006. Some 400 delegates from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will join delegates from the Caribbean, Latin America Africa, and Jamaica in the two-day Conference to discuss mobilizing the Diaspora, globalization, culture and tourism and forging business linkages among other topics.