The Jamaica American Chamber of Commerce in association with Gateway Capital Holdings, LLC, will present the inaugural Jamaican- American Investment Summit (JAIS) 2010 on September 30 in New York City. JAIS 2010 is a unique investment information exchange designed to bring together for the first time in one location private equity fund managers, brokers/dealers, investment banks, business leaders and individual/entrepreneurial investors with an unprecedented number of Jamaican-based projects that are ready for investments. There will be a wide variety of opportunities and projects ranging from government-based divestment assets to private placement deals across multiple industries.
 
Also co-hosting will be the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), the Office of the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York, and The American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM). The Summit marks a new era in investment approach for Jamaica and will become an annual event in New York.
 
By creating a forum for dialogue among Jamaican and U.S. investors, policy-makers, and analysts, the Summit will provide real-time data and analysis to help potential U.S. investors: 

• Identify, assess, and better understand current investment opportunities in Jamaica, from top-performing listed stocks to private placement deals
• Apply action-oriented strategies to mitigate risk
• Expedite procedures for doing business in Jamaica      

Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce for Jamaica, observed: “JAIS 2010 is the perfect opportunity for Jamaica to engage the U.S. investor and U.S. markets in the excellent investment opportunities that exist in Jamaica today….It’s a new era of growth.”
 
JAIS 2010 Mission
 
As the global business landscape undergoes continuous change, Jamaica is now emerging as a vibrant investment destination and yet is one of the least understood markets. The mission of JAIS 2010 is to:

• Provide critical and current information regarding qualified investment opportunities   
• Match potential investors with qualified investments by level of investments    
• Provide risk mitigation strategies critical to operating a business in Jamaica 
• Promote sustainable collaboration between Jamaican asset holders and U.S. investors 

Delegates will gain a better understanding of the diverse investment opportunities as well as the regulatory and legal framework associated with them. Access to current investment data and portfolio information during this Summit will equip business leaders and entrepreneurial investors to make informed investment decisions, given the improved economic growth outlook for Jamaica recently issued by both JP Morgan and the U.S. Department of Commerce.    
 
An Exceptional Keynote Lineup
 
Confirmed keynote speakers from Jamaica include :

• The Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica
• The Honourable Karl Samuda, M.P., Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce
• The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, M.P., Minister of Tourism      
• Mr. Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and Chairman, Sandals Resorts International 

Also participating will be panelists and presenters from the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), financial advisory firms and legal investment advisory firms, plus capital market and fund managers, and business and industry leaders in the areas of finance, energy, entertainment, tourism, and more.    
 
Commenting on the focus of the Summit’s agenda, Neil Lowe, managing partner and chief executive officer of Gateway Capital Holdings, LLC, noted: “When I look at the industries in the world’s emerging and growth markets, energy, technology and entertainment are in the top five. These are also at the top of Jamaica’s investment agenda for the next four years. JAIS 2010 will shine a spotlight on these areas of growth, which we believe are of particular interest to the U.S. Investor.”
 
The JAIS 2010 program will be viewable soon at www.investjamaica.org, with details of speakers and the Manhattan location.