Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (centre) observes a discussion between Congressman Charles Rangel (left) and Julian 'Jingles' Reynolds, of the National Minority Business Council in New York, at Saturday night's gala awards dinner held by Carib News at the Wyndham Rose Hall in Montego Bay, St. James. WESTERN BUREAU:
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has called on the United States-based Congressional Black Caucus to lend its active support for the enhancement of legislation which would encourage investment in the Caribbean.
"In our relations with the U.S. we have been able to count on the strong and consistent support of the African-American community and in particular the Congressional Black Caucus," he said.
In Jamaica, he said, exists an environment conducive to economic growth; one which is also eager and ready for a strong influx of local and overseas investments.
Mr. Patterson was addressing US-based business officials and members of the Congressional Black Caucus at the Fifth Annual Carib News Multi-National Business Conference at the Wyndham Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay on Saturday.
Emphasising the importance of investments, he noted that the foundation for growth was now securely in place. "We will be aggressively seeking the required investment capital to fuel anticipated growth, in order to achieve the ambitious growth targets, which we have set for ourselves," said the Prime Minister.
Speaking on the matter of crime, Mr. Patterson said laxity on the rules governing the sales and movements of guns in the US, impedes the capacity of the region's security forces to stem trafficking.
"Our problem has been greatly exacerbated by the return of criminal deportees, mainly from the US," he said.
Against this background, Mr. Patterson said CARICOM heads were looking at proposals for a Memorandum of Understanding on Deportations that would address the region's concerns about the deportation process and its impact on its citizens and society.
-Contributed
