jamarchPrime Minister Portia Simpson Miller told an audience of international bankers and investors, that presently, there is tremendous potential for doing business in Jamaica.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting on Friday (June 23) in Miami, the PM encouraged her audience of Jamaican and US businesspersons, that the tourism and alumina industries were important areas for investment. She cited improvements in the country’s infrastructure – roads, seaports and airports, and telecommunications, at the same time expressing confidence that ‘the country was on threshold of an investment boom.’
Citing areas of job creation where some 25,000 persons would benefit in the construction and tourist industries, the PM pointed out that nearly 12,000 rooms in hotels and luxury resorts were being built.
The steady increase of tourist visits annually, from the USA, indicated a strong bond of friendship existing between both countries, she added, as some 70% of visitors to Jamaica were from the United States.
The PM also pointed to bond growth and decrease in the domestic interest rate which she noted were also encouraging factors for investment, and job creation and growth.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller was on an official two-day visit to the South Florida community (June 22 & 23), and received a rousing welcome at a reception held in her honor on Thursday (June 22) at the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood.
Pointing to reduction in the nation’s crime rate, the PM indicated that she was determined to work with the Minister of National Security to sustain the reduced figures by strengthening social programs and boosting early childhood education in the Jamaican communities.
The PM was presented with the keys to the City of Miami by that City Mayor, Mr. Manny Diaz.
Sponsored by Wachovia Bank, the meeting was chaired by the Director of Global Financial Institution, Christopher Raymond, also a Jamaican national.
Media Writer
