Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
Congressman Gregory Meeks. - CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WESTERN BUREAU:
NEW YORK Congressmen Gregory Meeks sees the possibility of better trade links being developed with the island.
The leader of a five-man United States Congressional delegation to Jamaica, he said the team has met all its primary goals. The group was in the island to hold talks with the Government on improving ties between American and Jamaica.
"This has been a very successful trip," Mr. Meeks said. "All of our primary goals that we sought to accomplish have been accomplished."
Noting that the primary goals were to discuss issues surrounding deportation, security at the ports and investments, the congress-man said that a considerable part of the visit was to give the delegates the opportunity to meet with members of the Jamaican Government in order to foster a better relationship between the countries in the future.
PORT SECURITY
"We met with Members of Parliament and the different ministries," said Mr. Meeks, adding that in light of upcoming elections the delegation also spoke "to candidates from all sides who will possibly succeed Prime Minister Patterson."
Stating that the issues of security at the ports and deportation were also important topics, Mr. Meeks disclosed that discussions were held about the possibility of creating a half-way house for deportees.
On the issue of investment, Mr. Meeks spoke of the possibility of trade missions to Jamaica to give the African American business community a firsthand look at investment opportunities in the island.
"We want to further that relationship along and make sure that people know that Jamaica is open for business," he said. "One of the things I would like to do with JAMPRO is a trade mission where we can bring a lot of businessmen and women, particularly African-Americans, from the United States to show them the opportunities that exist here so that they can also be a part of the investment whether it is building hotels, opening shopping centres or stores or whether it is investing in some roads."
He was speaking at a farewell reception on Saturday held in the delegation's honour at the home of Indru Dadlani, Montego Bay businessman and vice-president of the Inbond Merchant Association.
