By Ayanna Kirton, Staff Reporter
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Delano Franklin (centre), The Mexican Ambassador, His Excellency Benito Andion Sancho (left) and Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica, Arnold Foote at yesterday's launch of the International Trade Expo 2003 held at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
THE CONSULAR Corps of Jamaica's official launch of the International Trade Expo 2003 was held at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday. The Expo which is scheduled to run from October 5 October 10, 2003 will be organised by the Consular Corps of Jamaica in co-operation with the International Federation of Consular Corps and Associations (FICAC) and in collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS).
The organisations have extended an invitation to the 89 representations of foreign countries in Jamaica, both resident and non-resident embassies, consulates, as well as certain Jamaican companies. It will be the first trade expo of its kind ever launched in Jamaica in which all the countries represented in Jamaica will be invited to display the products and services that they export and provide information on their imports.
Before unveiling the model of the exhibition site, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Delano Franklin in his speech to those in attendance addressed the role of consuls in providing the required linkages for successful relations in the global environment. He also addressed the current situation in Iraq of which he said, "While Jamaica supports the ongoing action under the auspices of the United Nations to inspect and verify whether Iraq possess weapons of mass destruction, the need for all parties to exercise restraint and to make all efforts towards a peaceful resolution...are crucial."
In his report on the 2003 Expo, Oscar Gonzales, Peruvian minister and Chairman of the Committee, expressed his confidence in the Expo's ability to make commercial history.
The main objective of the exhibition, according to Gonzales is to successfully promote Jamaica as a trading partner and establish trading contacts for the island to use it as a proper connection point in an effort to eliminate intermediaries and reduce the costs of imports and exports. He also explained that the 5-day Expo would not be limited to trade and exhibition and the participants will be encouraged to expose the cultural resources of their countries as well.
Arnold Foote, Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica also presented certificates of merit in recognition of the hard work and dedication of the Protocol Officers attached to Jamaica's two international airports. He also spoke of the Consular Corps intention to work towards making the Expo an annual event. According to Foote, the Expo will feature Jamaica in over 150 countries and via the Internet, "...which in terms of advertising and PR will do Jamaica an excellent service."
