Paul A. Reid, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE BENEFITS of hosting the International Cricket Council's (ICC) World Cup 2007 will continue long after the event has ended, says Patricia Francis, president of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
"It is very important not to lose sight of the secondary benefits to be derived from the event, such as increased investments, trade and tourism in the years to follow that will impact on our economic and social development, if we position the region strategically," Mrs. Francis told the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) Western Chapter at a function in Montego Bay recently.
In this regard, the investment promotion agency has contracted an international consultant for the event. The individual was global manager of the Sydney Olympic Games and coordinated the Australian Government's overall economic programne.
This consultant, Mrs. Francis said, would work along with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the special envoy for cricket, the Kingston City Centre Improvement Company and private sector operators.
LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT
JAMPRO, she said, will develop a plan, identify and maximise the opportunities from the event for long-term sustainable development.
The first draft of this legacy plan will be presented about early July and will focus on trade, tourism, investment, community and sport and enterprise development.
The direct financial benefits of staging the Cricket World Cup, she indicated, could run well into billions of dollars.
EXPECTED BENEFITS:
US$66M (J$4B) to host events in the Caribbean 2003-2007
US$4.8M (J$298M) in tourism income per game
US$83M (J$5B) in media value to the Caribbean.
