One Year In Government - Prime Minister Andrew Holness

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... Huge drop in
number of Jamaicans
refused landing in
Trinidad
THE MINISTRY also worked on resolving immigration
issues relating to the treatment of some Jamaicans seeking
entry into the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Since the
ministry’s intervention, there has been a 64 per cent reduction in
the number of Jamaicans denied entry to Trinidad from March to
December 2016.
A visit to the island by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of the
twin-island republic in July led to a number of positive outcomes,
including the retrofitting of a facility at the Piarco International
Airport to accommodate persons, including Jamaicans, awaiting
return overnight to their countries of origin.
“We know they have installed Wi-Fi to ensure that there is access
and communication with persons outside. There is coffee and tea,
there are bathroom facilities within the area. The seating is
comfortable and we are pleased with them,” the minister said at a
recent press conference.
The Trinidadian government has also conducted customer service
training sessions for immigration officials at the Piarco Airport.
FINALISED DRAFT ACTION PLAN
Jamaica and Trinidad have also finalised a Draft Action Plan,
which strategically outlines cooperation programmes and activities in
relation to the implementation of the CSME regime, including the
free movement of skilled nationals, trade in services, the right of
establishment, trade in goods, and the movement of capital.
With respect to diaspora engagement, the ministry has
commenced development of its new National Consular Policy,
which will be completed this year.
“Its main aim will be to support the improvement and
standardising of service delivery to members of our Jamaican
community overseas through our overseas missions,” Johnson
Smith said.
She also engaged with diaspora heads and community members
during official visits to Washington, DC, Toronto, New York,
London, Tokyo and Belgium.
“These meetings provided invaluable feedback for the team in
reviewing our diaspora engagement framework, and these
consultations will be incorporated in our policy work going
forward,” she indicated.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
SECTION F
IT WAS a busy 10 months for foreign affairs
minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith,
who visited 13 countries and had close to
200 meetings with heads of government,
ministers, ambassadors, high-level officials and
heads of international organisations.
In the process, she signed numerous cultural,
investment, trade and economic cooperation
agreements.
Among the many agreements signed by the
minister is a Framework Agreement on
Cooperation between Jamaica and Morocco,
which will facilitate partnership in education
and agriculture, among other areas. Jamaica
will also benefit from up to 100 scholarships
annually, together with support in agricultural
technology.
This was one of the outcomes of a working
visit to Marrakech, Morocco, for the 22nd
Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP
22) to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change.
Johnson Smith also held discussions with
senior officials of the Moroccan government in
which both countries expressed a desire to forge
closer bilateral ties.
“Our meetings had the positive result of
building on the diplomatic relations officially
opened between us in 2008. Going forward, we
anticipate greater exchanges and cooperation to
the mutual benefit of our peoples,” she said.
The Jamaica-Mexico relationship was
strengthened at the Mexico-Jamaica Bi-
National Commission meeting in Mexico City
in May. The meeting ended with Jamaica
signing off on a new agreement and a Plan of
Action for Cooperation in 2017.
Johnson Smith said the agreement will involve
training in the preservation of cultural heritage,
training of craft vendors to increase their skills
and competitiveness, and support on security
information systems, among other matters.
According to the minister, Mexico has huge
expertise in the area of cultural preservation
from which Jamaica can learn.
“They have offered to provide technical
assistance in this regard. So, not only
restoration but how it is that cultural heritage
can be used not only to support your tourism
sector but to support your own national pride
and sense of self and identity,” she explained.
Relations between Jamaica and Panama have
been strengthened with the establishment of a
Framework Agreement for the establishment of
a Joint Commission, which was signed by the
minister in June during her visit to Panama for
the opening of the expanded Panama Canal.
Jamaica established a Bi-National
Commission with Panama as part of its
commitment to deepen relationships with
neighbours in the region. This commission
covers cooperation in trade, logistics and youth
development exchange and will meet for the
first time this year.
JAMAICA’S GROWTH AGENDA
Foreign affairs ministry contributing to
CONTRIBUTED
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (centre) looks on as President of Panama Juan
Carlos Varela greets Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina
Johnson Smith, at the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in Panama City on
June 26, 2016.
The ministry
worked on
resolving
immigration
issues
relating to
the treatment
of some
Jamaicans
seeking entry
into the
Republic of
Trinidad and
Tobago.
Since the
ministry’s
intervention,
there has
been a 64 per
cent
reduction in
the number
of Jamaicans
denied entry
to Trinidad. NORMAN GRINDLEY/CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR
Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, at The
Gleaner’s offices last Friday.
RELATED STORY
ON PAGE H7