JAMAICAN HIGH Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Ambassador Maxine Roberts, has encouraged young Jamaican professionals in the UK to invest in the island.
She told a recent 'brain storming' luncheon, attended by Jamaican professionals and executives, that one of the tenets of the Government's new trade policy was to include overseas based nationals in the country's development strategies.
"The new trade policy says we should inspire our young Jamaicans overseas, who are our intellectual capital. Our young professionals are drifting away from us, and we need to find some manner to inspire them. How can we encourage and motivate them to help in our National Development Plan? How can we inspire them to assist us in helping with trade and investment and I want to hear how best we can explore the possibilities," she told the group.
The 'brain storming' session was supported by the Jamaica Trade Commission and Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and included the Deputy High Commissioner, Community Relations Officer, The Defence Advisor and the Jamaica Information Service.
Some of the issues raised by the executives included the timely provision of information on contracts up for tender in Jamaica, more information on investment opportunities by sector and information on the government's long term strategy for the various sectors of the economy, such as tourism, manufacturing, mining and agriculture. There were also concerns about crime and the impact of negative publicity on the island.
Both the JTB and the Trade Commission outlined some areas for investment in the country and welcomed suggestions on how to better market their product to young professionals. The meeting also discussed the possibility of setting up an association or grouping of Jamaican professionals.
Ambassador Roberts said the High Commission was committed to working with the group to develop strategies and to bring their concerns, proposals and suggestions to the attention of the Government of Jamaica.
