REPORT FOR THE 6th BIENNIAL DIASPORA CONFERENCE...1. Fiscal consolidation – reducing and managing...

Jamaica Diaspora Institute

August 14th

, 2015 [Type text]

6TH BIENNIAL JAMAICA DIASPORA CONFERENCE 2015

13-18 JUNE | MONTEGO BAY

CONVENED BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE

CONFERENCE REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Prepared by: Professor Neville Ying

Executive Director, Jamaica Diaspora Institute Chairman Programme and Content Sub- Committee & Conference Rapporteur August 14, 2015

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PROGRAMME DESIGN

CONFERENCE THEME

In designing the Programme for the 6th Biennial Diaspora Conference the theme: Jamaica and

the Diaspora: Linking for Growth and Prosperity was selected. The rationale for this selection

was that the Conference would be held within the context of Jamaica striving for economic

growth, job creation, employment and social development. The further consideration that

these efforts are being made within a scenario in which Jamaica is seeking to harmonize the

requirements of the current IMF Extended Fund Facility, the core goals of Vision 2030 , the

Medium Term Economic priority areas and the Growth Agenda. In this context there are two

important national priorities on which the country is giving focused attention namely, Fiscal

Consolidation and Economic Growth. The Diaspora has been consistent in its contribution to

Jamaica’s economic and social development. Hence the theme drew attention to the

importance of Jamaica and its Diaspora continuing this important partnership as together we

strive for growth and prosperity both at home and in host countries where Diaspora members

reside worldwide.

The Theme for Conference 2015 was therefore a rallying call for Jamaicans at home and abroad

to work together as one global family with love and reciprocity for mutual benefits.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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MAIN PILLARS AND AREAS OF CONTENT INTEGRATION

Conference 2015 was built on two main pillars:

1. Investment and Trade and

2. Social Development

There were two areas that were integrated in the Content of the Conference: Brand Jamaica

and the New National Diaspora Policy.

1. Brand Jamaica

A recurring theme in the content of the conference was leveraging the positive features

of Brand Jamaica and the worldwide geographical distribution of the members of the

Jamaican Diaspora to:

Achieve the global reach of Brand Jamaica and

Maximize the contribution of the Diaspora to investment and trade and social

development with focus on Healthcare, Education and Community Development.

2. New National Diaspora Policy

The conference sessions, events and activities incorporated the major thematic areas

of the new National Diaspora Policy that is being developed:

Diaspora Engagement

Engaging Future leaders – 2nd, 3rd and 4th Generation

Role of the Church in Diaspora Engagement and Development

Expanding the Global Engagement of the Diaspora

Resettlement of Diaspora members in Jamaica

Diaspora involvement in social organizations and lobbying in host countries

Diaspora Local Government Partnerships

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Housing Development and Services for the Diaspora

Diaspora Direct Investment

Ease of Doing Business in Jamaica

Tourism and Entertainment

ICT and Business Process Outsourcing

Agro Parks and Agri-Business

Cultural and Creative Industries

Stocks Bonds and Venture Capital

Corporate And Individual Philanthropy

Health

Education

Social Business Enterprises

Day of Service Community Projects

Human Capital Transfers

Integrating Diaspora Skills with Investment Projects

Diaspora Mapping Project

Supporting And Protecting Brand Jamaica

Intellectual Property Protection

Geographical Indicators

Safety Security And The Diaspora

The Unite for Change Initiative

Impact of Immigration Laws in host countries on members of the Diaspora

Deportation and Reintegration of Deportees in Jamaica

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Financial and Transnational Crime across Borders

Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) –obligations of Financial

Institutions in Jamaica and implications for the Diaspora.

Prior to the Diaspora Conference 2015 a draft of the new Diaspora Policy was presented to the

Cabinet Office. Based on comments from the Cabinet Office a revised draft is being refined.

Extracts of this revised draft of the Policy incorporating the Guiding Principles, Goals, Outcomes

and Actions was prepared by a working team with representatives from MFAFT, PIOJ and JDI.

This was printed by the PIOJ and distributed to the Diaspora Advisory Board members and

other participants at Conference 2015 for feedback.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

1. Deliver a relevant and dynamic programme that will facilitate sharing of information and

exchange of viewpoints on the interests and needs of Jamaica and the Diaspora

2. Promote and facilitate trade and investment meetings between potential investors,

business leaders and entrepreneurs in Jamaica and the Diaspora

3. Positioning Jamaica as a viable business investment option for Diaspora –based

investment

4. Identify strategies for addressing economic and social problems faced by Jamaica and

members of the Diaspora in their host countries

5. Promote the alignment of Diaspora support with national priorities for the

transformation of education, health and community development in Jamaica.

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EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE CONFERENCE

The 6th Biennial Diaspora Conference, 2015 focused on two major areas:

1. Investment and Trade

2. Social Development

PROGRAMME PLANNING AND EXECUTION

PROGRAMME PLANNING & EXECUTION

The Programme and Content Sub- Committee had the awesome task of fashioning the content

and schedule for the Conference. This involved consultations and accommodation of a variety

of viewpoints and constructive suggestions from Jamaica and the Diaspora.

The Programme and Content Sub- Committee carried out this task within the context of a

synchronized team effort which involved the Conference Secretariat headed by DCAD of the

MFAFT, the Chairman of PREPCOM, the Project Manager for the Conference the Jamaica

Diaspora Institute and all the Sub-Committees of the Preparatory Committee (PREPCOM) for

the Conference.

For these two areas there were three expected outcomes:

1. Expressions of Interest for investments and individual and corporate philanthropic

contributions

2. Commitment for specific investments and individual and corporate philanthropic

contributions

3. Recommendations for post Conference actions by major stakeholders – Diaspora,

Private sector and Government.

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The major Sub-committees of PREPCOM which worked towards the successful implementation

of the Conference were:

Budget and Finance

Catering

Day of Service

Entertainment Look and Feel

Government At Your Service

Logistics

Marketing

Medical

Programme Content and Schedule

Protocol

Public Relations and Media

Rapporteurs

Registration

Secretariat

Security

Technical & Information Technology

Transportation

Volunteers

Briefing sessions were held with presenters, moderators and panellists from Jamaica and the

Diaspora and their suggestions helped to refine the Programme Content and Schedule.

Presentations by speakers and panellists were reviewed and suggestions were provided which

helped them to finalize the structure and content of their presentations.

The Publications Team did an excellent job in making the programme and schedule, an

attractive and exciting part of the Conference Magazine. The carefully selected articles in the

Conference Magazine, generated interest among attendees, to participate in the different

programme activities.

The speakers, presenters, moderators and an interactive audience together with the

Conference Secretariat, Project Management Staff, Budget, Logistics, Marketing and PR and

Entertainment Look and Feel Committees, the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) , the Creative

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Production and Training Centre (CPTC), volunteers, members of the media and the staff and

representatives from public and private sector companies who showcased their services and

opportunities for business , investment and social partnerships formed an impressive team in

making the execution of the programme a successful reality.

The team of rapporteurs performed a critical role in capturing both the content and flavour of

what was a continuous and productive set of presentations and dialogues throughout the

conference.

The JTB provided expertise and support for Evaluation of the Conference and team of

Volunteers provided invaluable services during the conference.

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SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE CONFERENCE

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY

This was the Official Welcome to Conference 2015 by The Most Honourable Prime Minister

Portia Simpson- Miller to Jamaicans at home and abroad and a call to action to work in

harmony as one Global family for growth and prosperity.

A new item in the Opening Ceremony was a Report Card which demonstrated that concrete

actions were taken on Major Recommendations from the 5th Biennial Diaspora Conference in

2013. The Report Card highlighted the areas of Health, Education, the Air Passenger Duty, the

Diaspora Mapping Project and Jamaica’s new International Migration and Development Policy.

The work of the Partnership For Jamaica (PFJ) Council was highlighted. This council is chaired by

the Prime Minister and comprises representatives of Government, Trade Unions, Private Sector

and Civil Society. Under the current IMF Extended Fund Facility, the PFJ Council focuses on

setting and monitoring performance in the following areas:

1. Fiscal consolidation – reducing and managing public debt

2. Social protection – special schemes and benefits to protect vulnerable persons.

3. Adherence to the rule of law – Crime reduction strategies, such as the Unite for

Change Initiative

4. Ease of doing business in Jamaica

5. Job Creation and employment

6. Energy diversification and conservation

The issue of voting by the Diaspora was raised. The excerpts of the draft of the new National

Diaspora Policy distributed at the conference shows that this issue will be dealt with

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comprehensively under the thematic area of the Policy , Diaspora Engagement and the specific

area of Participation of the Diaspora in Political Decision -Making in Jamaica.

THE MARKET PLACE AND THE MARKET PLACE LIVE

The Marketplace was the centre of activities from Sunrise to Sunset each day of the

Conference, to do business, have fun and enjoy the best of Jamaican food, music and

entertainment. The marketplace offered opportunities to:

Experience real time One Stop Shop services by a range of Government Ministries,

Departments and Agencies.

Do business transactions with companies and organizations from the public and private

sectors offering services, business and investments

Enjoy the best of Jamaican music, entertainment and culinary delights.

There were 96 exhibitors with booths and table tops in the Marketplace which included private

sector companies, Ministries Departments and Agencies and educational institutions.

Eleven MDAs participated in the Government at your Service one stop shop real time initiative

in the Marketplace:

Administrator General Department

Transfer of Motor Vehicles of Deceased

Funeral Expense Advance

Securing a Certificate of the Administrator-General

Receipt of documentation to commence a matter at the AGD

National Housing Trust

Registration of NHT Overseas Contributors

Checking of Mortgage and Contribution Account Status

Collecting of Contribution payments via debit or credit cards

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Updating customer information

Providing assistance with contribution refunds applications

Providing general information about NHT product and service offering

Companies Office of Jamaica

New Business Name Registration

New Company Registration

Renewal of Business Names

Business Name Changes and Closures

Filing of Annual Returns

Provision of Certified Copies

Provision of Letters of Good Standing

Jamaica Customs Agency

Interview and Registration for Prospective Returning Residents

Receipt of documentation from Approved Charitable Organisation for processing

Provide information on Importation and Exportation processes

National Insurance Scheme

Registration of Individuals

Checking Contribution History

Information of voluntary contribution

Passport, Immigration & Citizen Agency

Renewal of Jamaican Passport

Obtaining Unconditional Landing

Obtaining Citizenship

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National Land Agency

Title Documents

Valuation Reports

Caveat Cards

Other Documents Types (Deposit Plans, Strata Plans and Cadastral Maps)

Enclosure Plans

Registered Instruments (Transfer of Land, Caveat. etc.)

Jamaica Property Watch

JAMPROP (Jamaica Property Sales Data)

Planning Institute of Jamaica

Policy and Planning

Programme/Project Development Coordination & Monitoring

Research and Information Service

Registrar General Department

Application for Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates

Record Updating Applications (Correction of Error, Late Entry of Name, Late

Registration, Re-Registration, Addition of Father’s Particulars

Recording of Deeds

Genealogical Research

Tax Administration Jamaica

Application for Taxpayer Registration Number

Property Tax Query & Payment Online Services

Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax Services

General Consumption Tax

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Trade Board Limited

Issuing import and Export Licences

Issuing Certification of Origin

Monitoring Imports and Exports

Exporter Certification

Export of Textiles & Textile Products

JAMPRO conducted, in the Marketplace, 167 B2B meetings, 95 meetings on Investments, 59

meetings on Trade and 14 meetings on Business linkages. Strong Expressions of Interest were

expressed by 47 persons for Investments (21), Trade (23) and Business Linkages (3).

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL’S DIASPORA ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS CEREMONY

This was a Special ceremony to recognise Diaspora members for outstanding achievements and

contributions. There were 3 Awards for Diaspora members under 35 and 3 Awards for Diaspora

members over 35. The awardees were:

Canada

Ms Michele Nicola Brumley and Mr Kingsley Percival Gilliam

United States of America

Miss Lisa Camille Soares and Mrs Claudette Powell

United Kingdom

Mr Nathaniel Lauriston Peat and Mrs Gloria Leslie

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SPECIAL FUTURE LEADERS SESSION

A special session was held for Future Leaders: 2nd Generation, 3rd Generation and Beyond.

Three projects for engaging Diaspora Future Leaders were showcased and discussed:

1 Diaspora Youth Connect Project

This is a project being implemented by the Jamaica Diaspora Institute in collaboration

with CUSO International. The Project links 2nd and 3rd generation in the Diaspora and

youth in vulnerable communities in Jamaica to assist them to convert their creative

ideas into income earning ventures.

2 Birthright Programme

This is a project implemented by the Grace Kennedy Foundation which exposes interns

who are 2nd and 3rd generation Diaspora members to business in Jamaica and Jamaican

heritage and culture.

3 Parish Ambassadors Project

This is an initiative for linking JCDC (Jamaica Cultural Development Commission) Parish

Queens, performing the role of Parish Ambassadors, with young persons in the Diaspora

for supporting their parish projects.

THE INAUGURAL SYMPOSIUM ON IMMIGRATION AND DEPORTATION

This Symposium focussed on:

The Unite for Change Initiative in Jamaica and diaspora support for this initiative

Impact of Immigration Laws in host countries on members of the Diaspora

Deportation and Reintegration of Deportees in Jamaica

Financial and Transnational Crime across

Borders for example “Lotto Scamming”

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FATCA –obligations of Financial Institutions and implications for the Diaspora.

Transmission of relevant information to Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) begins in

August 2015.

ENGAGING PLENARY AND CONCURRENT SESSIONS

There were engaging and exciting plenary sessions (5) and concurrent sessions (15) focussed

on mutual benefits to both Jamaica and Diaspora members for economic and social

development, growth, prosperity, job creation and employment.

POWER BREAKFAST MEETINGS

There were power breakfast meetings on Investment, Health and Education which provided

opportunities for information sharing and networking opportunities with targeted major

investors and philanthropists.

ENTERTAINMENT LOOK AND FEEL (ELF)

There was a special music, entertainment and cultural package throughout the conference. This

included performances by Gold medal winners in the JCDC competitions, students from the

Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and special Jamaican artistes. In

addition legacy sponsors put on special packages:

Jamaica National (JN) – night of comedy – Saving Alligator High

Victoria Mutual(VM ) – Jamaican musical evening featuring Freddy McGregor and Chris

Martin

Wray and Nephew – Jamaica Night featuring Roy Rayon, multiple Festival song winner

and the Bare Essentials Band

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BUSINESS TOURS

Business Tours were organized for Diaspora participants by JAMPRO, JN and the JN Foundation

to special sites.

JAMPRO had two tours.

The first tour focussed on the BPO sector with visits to Tele- Performance and

CAZOURMAR

The second tour focussed on Agriculture and Agri-business with visits to King Pepper

Products Ltd. and Advance Farms.

The JN tour was to Miramar Lot One Club at Reading and Claudevlle Condos Housing

Developments.

The JN Foundation Tour focussed on Social Business Enterprises. These are business

ventures that use their profits for Community Development. Diaspora Returning

Residents are integrally involved in these enterprises. Ten (10) of these enterprises

which are supported under the Social Business Enterprise Initiative (SEBI) were

showcased at the Conference.

The tour covered sites in Westmoreland and Hanover.

Visits were made to two sites in Westmoreland. These were the Bethel Town Sorrel

Farm and Factory which produces sorrel bag drinks sold mainly to schools and the

SOURCE Community Resource Centre. This centre has as one of its services, business

skills training. A visit was also made to the Apiary of the Hanover Bee Farmers’

Cooperative.

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DAY OF SERVICE

Members of the Diaspora conducted 19 projects in different parishes - St, James, Hanover,

Westmoreland, Trelawney, St. Ann, St. Mary, St Thomas, Manchester and St. Catherine. The

projects covered the areas of health care, education, immigration and deportation and

agriculture.

The healthcare projects focussed on screening and education to detect hypertension and

heart diseases, dental and nursing care , basic life support training using Automated External

Defibrillators, the painting of a Health Centre and cleaning up of its surroundings and donation

of equipment and supplies.

The Health Projects had two useful and productive features:

The Jamaican Diaspora Health sectors in Canada and the USA collaborated to execute

healthcare projects in communities in St James, Hanover and St Ann.

The UK International Healthcare Group worked in a hospital, Percy Junor Hospital and

the community in Manchester - for two days. Equipment was donated to the hospital

and the staff were educated about their use. The Team also assisted with physical

improvement of the hospital and participated in a health fair for the community.

The Education Projects focused on:

Mentorship for students and teachers

Specialized skills for Early Childhood Education teachers

The use of music to improve performance in mathematics and English

Parenting , Child Safety and Entrepreneurship skills for community members

Distribution of computers and other educational supplies

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The Education Projects had the following useful and productive feature:

Diaspora representatives from the UK and the USA combined their efforts “to deliver services

in mentorship, career day talks, as well as engaging in Early Childhood fact-finding and

interventions”.

Free legal advice and consultations were provided in the area of immigration in particular

deportation. The audience consisted of 50 deportees who were deported mainly from the USA

with three from the UK and Canada.

The project in Agriculture focussed on Organic Ackee Farming through the preparation of an

Ackee Orchard.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS

There were 2,147 persons from the Diaspora and Jamaica who participated in the conference.

This included delegates, moderators, presenters and panellists from the Diaspora, presenters,

panellists, moderators, exhibitors and sponsors, staff from public sector and private sector

companies and agencies and volunteers.

In the case of the Diaspora in addition to representatives from the traditional locations, USA,

UK and Canada there was a small but vibrant set of persons from Bahamas, Belgium, and

Sudan. A special roundtable was organized for this group consistent with the objective of the

New Diaspora Policy to expand the global reach of engagement with the Diaspora.

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CONFERENCE EVALUATION

The following is a sample of comments and recommendations made by conference participants through emails, comments to the press, through interviews and reports: Comments “This is a genuine thank you to you and your team for what has been one of the most stimulating conferences I have attended.” “Congratulations on what was by all means a successful conference.” “I liked the idea of the Market Place. The representatives of the various public and private sector organizations present were very engaging. The high level of customer service received from various government agencies present indicated that there are some first class folks working in these agencies.” “Exhibitors were overall pleased with the coordination of booth spaces and the number of delegates attending the Conference”. “The Sixth Biennial Diaspora Conference 2015 has been described by many attendees as the best one yet. The sessions were chock full of valuable information in several areas of concern like healthcare, education, immigration, trade and investment opportunities. The entertainment was invaluable. Saving Alligator High was one of the best performances I have seen. Last Lick Pon the Beach provided the opportunity for Jamaicans to come together, eat and drink and enjoy our culture. “ "To me, this Diaspora Conference is the best one so far. The last one[2013], there were still a lot of undecided situations, but right now we have made some decisions and we are building on top of those decisions," “I liked what I saw at the SOURCE in Savanna –La-Mar ……….and I plan to seek assistance for the sustainability of these businesses [Social Business Enterprises]” “The group was pleased with the outcome of the Diaspora Day of Service, as it was a ‘fitting closure to the successful five-day conference’ held in Montego Bay.”

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Recommendations General

There should be less talking by main presenters and reduction in the number of panelists so that participants are given more time for questions and answers and interactive discussions with presenters and panelists.

For the conference to improve and with better realized goals, the Diaspora and the local community (from Montego Bay and environs) should have more involvement in the conference planning.

Marketplace

Reexamine1 the principle of isolating the Marketplace from the Conference plenary sessions with the aim of getting a better flow of traffic to the Marketplace.

Ensure that lunch sessions are on time so that participants have more time to visit the Marketplace.

Reassess the layout of the Marketplace to make it more accessible when there is a heavy flow of participant traffic.

COMMITMENTS FOR POST CONFERENCE ACTIONS

1. Education

A summer Camp for primary school students to be conducted in July 2015 was

launched at the Conference. This initiative has sponsorship of US$ 250,000 from

the USAID’S Latin America and Caribbean Office for Regional and Sustainable

Development , in-kind contributions of US$89,850 from the Diaspora and in

kind contribution of US$ 120,988 from the Ministry of Education.

The Camp will be for Grade 3 students at risk of failing the Grade 4 Literacy Test

and will focus on Literacy and Mathematics and will also include a health

component. The Camp will be held in three locations, College of Agriculture

Science and Education (CASE), Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College and Cedar Grove

Academy.

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There will be continued support for specialized training of teachers in the

teaching of Mathematics and Science facilitated by Loma Linda University, USA.

2. Health

A MOU was signed on June 17 , during the Diaspora Conference , between the

MOH and Toyota Jamaica for 10 ambulances at a cost of US$ 71,968 or J$ 81,

132, 384M

The Diaspora - USA, Canada and the UK - will donate an additional 570 blood

pressure machines to hospitals and Centres of Excellence for Primary Healthcare.

With 430 blood pressure machines donated since Conference 2013 these

additional machines will complete the Diaspora’s commitment for providing

1000 blood pressure machines.

The Diaspora will establish partnership with the Bustamante hospital for

children in the area of Paediatric Oncology.

The Diaspora will provide support for the Centres of Excellence for Primary

Healthcare being developed by the MOH.

Team Jamaica Bickle Inc. USA which provides support for Caribbean athletes

participating in the Penn Relays will continue and intensify its project for

providing 50-75 schools in Jamaica with Automated External Defibrillators at an

estimated value of US$ 50,000 – US$75,000.

3. Future leaders

Future Leaders in the Diaspora will provide support in cash/kind for projects

conducted by Parish Queens from the JCDC Festival Queen Competition.

4. Social business enterprises

The Jamaica National Foundation will:

Coordinate the establishment of a National Working Group for the

development of the Social Business Enterprise Sector. This will include

representatives from the private sector, public sector and the Diaspora.

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Develop a database of the needs of Social Business Enterprises in Jamaica.

5. Investment and trade

A MOU was signed between the MSME’S and the UK based Caribbean Enterprise

Network (CEN). The MOU covers items dealing with information sharing in areas

such as investment and training and mentorship opportunities and initiatives for

upscaling and upskilling MSME’S in Jamaica.

The Jamaica Mortgage Bank will compile a list of approved construction

companies and professionals such as certified engineers and quantity surveyors.

This list will be made available to members of the Diaspora to safeguard their

investment in building homes or participating in other real estate investments in

Jamaica.

Strong Expressions of Interest were expressed by 47 persons, in Investments

(21), Trade (23) and Business Linkages (3).

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MAJOR CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The major recommendations from Conference are classified under major thematic areas for the

New Diaspora Policy which is being developed:

DIASPORA POLICY AREA RECOMMENDATIONS ACTION by MDAS

DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT

Engaging Future leaders –

2nd, 3rd and 4th Generation:

The MFAFT should spearhead the

convening of a special

conference for youth (Future

Leaders) in the Diaspora in the

year 2016 (similar to the “Future

Leadership Jamaican Diaspora

Conference” held in 2009).

The area of e-mentoring as a

means of linking young persons

in the Diaspora youth in Jamaica

should be pursued.

DCAD, MYC, JDI

MYC, JDI

Role of the Church in

Diaspora Engagement and

Development

Church Groups in the Diaspora

should appoint a "church and

community liaison" to collaborate

with Churches in Jamaica, to

foster a greater understanding of

the needs and possible areas for

partnership with local Churches

DCAD, Umbrella

Groups of Churches

in Jamaica

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Role of the Church in

Diaspora Engagement and

Development contd.

Churches in the Diaspora should

compile a database that reflects

the available skills and resources

of their membership. These can

be connected with and

channelled towards the relevant

needs in Jamaica.

Enlist the Church Groups in the

Diaspora to have special

initiatives for young people

including guidance counselling

and mentoring

Church and faith based

organizations to represented as

exhibitors in the Marketplace at

the next Diaspora Conference

Church groups in the UK to

expand their project for

specialized work with young

Diaspora persons in the areas of

mentoring, guidance and

counselling

Missions in UK, USA,

Canada

Missions in USA, UK

and Canada

Missions in USA, UK

and Canada

Jamaica’s High

Commission in

London

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Expanding the Global reach

of engagement with the

Diaspora

The GOJ should have a structured

programme to aggressively

engage members of the Jamaican

Diaspora in non-traditional areas

such as Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman,

Turks and Caicos, Panama,

Columbia, Brazil, Nigeria, South

Africa, Ghana, Australia, Japan,

Belgium and Switzerland.

MFAFT, JAMPRO

Communication

Develop a multi-pronged

communication programme

encompassing traditional and

social media to reach the diverse

profile of Diaspora members in

particular 2nd, 3rd 4th generation

members.

MFAFT, JAMPRO

Diaspora Local Government

Partnerships

The Government of Jamaica

should consult with the Diaspora

to consider the establishment of

a Diaspora Enterprise Fund.

The Ministry of

Local Government should create

a Diaspora

Liaison Committee which will

operate through parish councils

and promote community

development projects.

Ministry of Local

Government

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Diaspora members are

encouraged to direct their

assistance towards basic services

such as poor relief efforts for

Infirmaries. Basic food and

clothing items which are available

cheaply in overseas jurisdictions

can be packaged and contributed

to persons in need locally.

Housing Development and

Services for the Diaspora

The Government of Jamaica

should launch an initiative in

consultation with the Diaspora to

create a comprehensive

Returning Residents’ Pack,

particularly contemplating

housing and healthcare services.

The MFAFT and NHT should

collaborate in producing a single

booklet containing all relevant

information to facilitate returning

residents.

Invite the Government of Jamaica

to fund a roadshow with a panel

of experts (similar to that at the

Diaspora Conference) in markets

across the Diaspora aimed at

NHT & MFAFT

NHT

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driving infrastructure/housing

development in Jamaica.

Urge the Government of Jamaica

to make health services available

close to housing developments

and to facilitate the development

of mixed communities.

MOH, NHT

DIASPORA DIRECT INVESTMENT

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Ease of Doing Business

Diaspora Business and

Investment opportunities

Implement strategies to reduce

the cost of electricity to business

operations to encourage diaspora

direct investment

The Diaspora should seek to take

Business advantage of Special

Economic Zones being developed

under the logistics hub initiative

as they offer attractive tax

environments. Local entities

should engage the Diaspora to

further explore this opportunity;

Encourage Diaspora Investment

in Health and Wellness Tourism

Diaspora members that have

returned and are successful in

business should become Mentors

for young persons.

GoJ should develop a

comprehensive public education

campaign for Diaspora members

on the incentives available for

establishing businesses and the

ease of doing business in Jamaica

to encourage them to invest in

Jamaica

ESET , Ministry of

STEM

MIIC and JAMPRO

JAMPRO/MOH/MOTE

MIIC & JAMPRO

MIIC, JAMPRO

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The Diaspora should be

encouraged to provide support

for investment in Jamaica

through lobbying in host

countries, providing technical

support and building

international networks for

investments in Jamaica

MFAFT,MIIC &

JAMPRO


Encourage the MOTE and JTB to

develop a specific programme for

increasing the Diaspora visitor

arrivals through music, sports,

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contd.

entertainment and events

tourism. A specific initiative could

be the development of a music

district in Jamaica, similar to the

French Quarter in New Orleans,

for live music.

Encourage the second, third and

fourth generation members of

the Diaspora to visit Jamaica and

experience their history, heritage

and culture.

Increase promotion of

community/village tourism

especially through partnerships

with major hotels, particularly

targeting the Diaspora.

MOTE and JTB

MOTE

MOTE

ICT and Business Process

Outsourcing

Interested Diaspora investors

should be aggressively targeted

using a variety of methods to

invest in the domestic Business

Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector

through public-private

partnerships;

The Diaspora should continue to

play its key role in steering

MIIC and JAMPRO

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companies in their host countries

to the BPO sector in the Jamaican

market.

MIIC and JAMPRO

Agro Parks and Agri-

Business

The Ministry of Agriculture and

Fisheries (MoAF) should

spearhead investment in rural

infrastructure - roads , water

and irrigation-to contribute to

increase in production,

productivity, employment and

income in the agricultural sector

MOAF

Cultural and Creative

Industries

The Diaspora to be encouraged

to establish crowd-funding

initiatives to support sports

development in Jamaica

Ministry of Sports

and JAMPRO

Stocks Bonds and

Venture Capital

An investment company focusing

on investment in social

development such as health and

education should be developed

to encourage equity investment

from the Diaspora using the

Jamaica Stock Exchange

MFAFT,MOE ,MOH,

JAMPRO

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CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPY

Health

The Diaspora should align their

support for transformation of the

healthcare system with national

priorities for healthcare such as

cancer, oncology, biomedical

services, hypertension

cardiovascular diseases and

centres of excellence for Primary

Healthcare

MOH

Education

The Diaspora should align their

support for transformation of the

education sector/system with

national priorities for education I

areas such as early childhood

education, special education,

leadership development,

parenting, STEM subjects and

infrastructure development

MOE, NET

Social Business

Enterprises

The Jamaica National Foundation

is committed to coordinating the

establishment of a National

Working Group for the

development of the Social

Business Enterprise Sector. This

should include representatives

JN Foundation

33


from the private sector, public

sector and the Diaspora.

The Jamaica National Foundation

is committed to developing a

database of needs from Social

Business Enterprises in Jamaica.

Social business enterprises

should be encouraged to

produce goods for exports

especially to the Diaspora

markets

The Diaspora should be

encouraged to buy products from

Social Enterprises; volunteer;

invest and become partners in

these entities, as well as assist

with advocacy.

JN Foundation

JN Foundation

MIIC& JAMPRO

HUMAN CAPITAL TRANSFERS

Integrating Diaspora Skills

with Investment Projects

Members of the Diaspora are

encouraged to participate in the

Jamaica Diaspora Mapping

Project to offer their skills and

expertise for major investment

projects in Jamaica

DCAD/MIIC

34


SAFETY, SECURITY AND THE DIASPORA

The JCF should be afforded its

own independent communication

media, so as to meaningfully

disaggregate data on where are

the hotspots of crime in Jamaica.

This will reduce the gap between

the perception of crime and the

actual crime, which is very wide.

The state needs to detail the

value chain of corruption – this

will afford a more direct strategic

approach to fighting corruption in

a holistic way and not just to

focus on the JCF, which is the

most successful and effective

public institution in fighting

internal corruption through the

ACB

A public health approach should

be taken to deal with crime and

violence in Jamaica. Increased

attention should be paid to

human rights issues by the MNS.

MNS

MNS

MNS

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BRAND JAMAICA

Geographical Indicators

Jamaica should give urgent

attention to geographical

indicators which are of particular

significance to Jamaica’s coffee,

rum and jerk which are among

the most recognized geographical

indicators worldwide. This should

be done by speeding up

Amendments to the Trade Mark

Act and access to the Madrid

Protocol

MIIC & JAMPRO

REPORT FOR THE 6th BIENNIAL DIASPORA CONFERENCE...1. Fiscal consolidation – reducing and managing...

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