New York: Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Hon PJ Patterson, who served as Head of Government for 14 unbroken years told a packed house at the Schomburg Center for Research In Black Culture in Harlem, that “On a per capita basis, Jamaica receives the highest remittance inflow of any country in the region – peaking at US$1.5 billion – averaging 12% of GDP during the last few years.”
This he said exceeds the value of Foreign Direct Investment and vastly more than the amount of Official Development Assistance.
The Hon Prime Minister’s comments came as he addressed the 4th annual CIN TV Caribbean lecture series about the ‘importance of the Caribbean Diaspora to Economic development.’
Mr. Patterson drew attention to the importance of e-commerce, saying growth in internet sales in the US is substantially outpacing traditional retail sales. He suggested that those among the Diaspora who have been involved in e-commerce abroad possess the advantage of substantial technical and other experience which can be a tremendous asset in the establishment of such industries in the region.
In terms of cultural an entertainment product development, he disclosed that the sector presents tremendous opportunities to develop sustainable business and offers the possibility to position the country as one of, if not, the most dynamic exciting creative hub worldwide.
“We enjoy name recognition, global appeal and competitive market advantage internationally based on the strength of our music and cultural products” the former PM said.
He highlighted the fact that “Out of Trinidad and Tobago has come the only new musical instrument of the 20th Century – the melody of the steel pan…Reggae” he bragged, “is probably the only music not of European or American origin which can be heard in every country on earth and is arguably the first example in modern times of a third word country exporting its culture to such a diverse audience.”
In terms of the size of the Caribbean Diaspora, Mr. Patterson noted that it is never easy to arrive at a precise number. Allowance he said has to be made for the undocumented residents and second and third descendants who can be aroused to become fully engaged in the course of Caribbean development. He suggested that the continuing flow of people from the Caribbean has set the stage for the formation of special interest groups with strong transnational agendas and objectives. And warned that the importance of the diasporic community in lobbying special interest on behalf of the Caribbean must not be underestimated in the regional quest for economic development.
Stephen Hill, CEO of Caribbean International Network (CIN TV) who delivered the vote of thanks, said “Tonight was the celebration of a Caribbean icon, the most Honorable PJ Patterson. We are indeed very proud of the CIN Lecture Series as it allows the New York/American community to meet their Caribbean heroes and celebrate them while they are still alive.”
Among the dignitaries attending the lecture series were Howard Dodson, CEO, Schomburg Center; Hon Una Clarke, former Brooklyn City Councilwoman; Rosealee Dean, Senior Vice President, Capital & Credit Financial Group ; Christopher Dobson, JTB, Christopher & Joan Roberts proprietors of The Door Restaurant; Bob Gore, CIN TV, NY and Mr. Jose Richards, president & CEO of the Sons and Daughters of Jamaica.
About CIN TV
For the past 14 years the CIN has been the only regularly scheduled television service for the Caribbean community in the New York area. Over the years the network has provided a full menu of news, sports, drama and music programmes created exclusively for the rapidly growing and youthful Caribbean population. Each week CIN airs a wide and diverse range of information and entertainment programmes for the large Caribbean-American
