BY BALFORD HENRY
(Jamaica Observer) – PRIME Minister Andrew Holness says there is potential for increased investment and collaboration between Jamaica and African nations, especially in agro-industry and logistics.
He said that there are also opportunities for scientific research and collaboration, as well as for investments in health care, technological innovation, digitisation and the creative economy.
The prime minister was making his virtual presentation to yesterday’s first Africa-Caricom Summit of Heads of State and Government, chaired by President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.
“There is potential in the agro-industry and logistics sectors, and Jamaican companies have already invested in Africa. Opportunities also exist for scientific research and collaboration, investment in health care, as well as in the creative economy,” Holness told the meeting in a brief presentation to the summit.
“In relation to development financing, debt sustainability and climate change, our cooperation within the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Commonwealth, United Nations and World Trade Organisation (WHO) remains a strong foundation for deepening integration between us. We must also use all available platforms for securing meaningful outcomes from COP26 (Climate Change Conference),” he added.
The Jamaican prime minister pointed out that the common historical experiences between Africa and the Caribbean have been enriched by cultural, economic and political affinities.
“Potential untapped for centuries lies within our respective reaches, as we not only develop national capacities, but engage [in] opportunities for cooperation with each other, across continents and oceans. The challenges of the last year-and-a-half have reinforced the possibilities and value of the Africa-Caricom relationship,” he noted.
