Diaspora Conference launched in London
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Hon. Arnaldo Brown. Aldo Brown, visited the UK. this week to launch the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2013 to the Jamaican Diaspora in the UK. Delegates were interviewed by FLYER TV presenter Sherika Miller.
The week-long trip included three community meetings, with the first event taking place at the Jamaica High Commission in London on 18 March 2013 and the final meetings taking place in Manchester and Birmingham. During the events, Minister Brown highlighted what attendees can expect at this year’s conference including the issues scheduled to be addressed, such as immigration and Air Passenger Duty (APD), and the significance of the Diaspora’s contribution to the achievement of Jamaica’s Vision 2030.
Franklyn Walters representing Grace Kennedy and Western Union said: “Grace Kennedy launched its division clearly articulating an objective to mushroom the company from being a Jamaican trading company to be a World consumer group.”
In a passionate speech directed towards the younger business entrepreneurs Paulette Simpson, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy said: “It’s important for 2nd-3rd and 4th generation Jamaicans to affiliate with Jamaica and have a sense of being…They can interact have business ideas and set up networks,” exclaimed Paulette Simpson.
“The discussion surrounding Jamaica’s growth and investment strategies and its alignment to Vision 2030’s long-term plan creates an ideal opportunity where policy makers and practitioners at the highest level are engaged with members of the Diaspora in explaining the various policies while getting important and direct feedback,” commented Minister Brown during the presentation in London. This year’s Jamaica Diaspora Conference will take place from 16 – 19 June 2013 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica, under the theme, ‘A Nation on a Mission: Jamaica-Diaspora Partnership for Development’. The event has become a global forum on the Diaspora event calendar and this year will see several changes to the format, including the newly introduced MarketPlace Exposition and a deeper focus on trade and investment opportunities. The conference brings together Jamaicans from all over the world and at least 300 delegates are expected to attend this year from the UK, Canada and the USA. Registration is available at www.jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm.
Sherika Miller (above) is a former Miss Jamaica contestant, columnist and also an intensive care nurse with a first class Bachelor of Science degree. Sherika focused her questions on the younger generation of entrepreneurs.
Early registration confirmed on or before 23rd May includes a daily rate of £40 and £80 for three-days at the Conference. Late registration fees after 23 May 2013 will cost £50 for one day and £100 for three-days of the Conference. The conference is being planned in conjunction with the Jamaica Tourist Board and this year’s main sponsors include GraceKennedy, the Jamaica National Building Society, the Victoria Mutual Group and J. Wary & Nephew Limited.
For further details on the Jamaica Diaspora Conference, visit www.jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm. For further details on Jamaica, visit www.VisitJamaica.com
