THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | B11 TRADE CONTINUED FROM B10 national security. Each session and panel discussion offer prime investment and networking opportunities to provoke thought, inspire action and foster long-lasting collaborations across islands and continents where Jamaicans reside. Thematic discourse will tackle systemic issues and explore transformative solutions that resonate at both national and individual levels. The Diaspora Conference also features keynote speeches from our Most Honourable Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, alongside other leaders in Government as well as experts from across the Diaspora in finance, technology and the creative industries, among others. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT In recognition of the importance of engaging our second, third and fourth generation Jamaicans in the Diaspora, the conference will have special segments dedicated to youth involvement. Our Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council plays a significant role in facilitating dialogues that are relevant to the aspirations and challenges of young Jamaicans worldwide. With this in mind, panels have been structured to include youth representatives, providing a platform for their voices to heard. Their perspectives are invaluable, as they are the torchbearers who will lead us into the future. We have also extended invitations to various youth groups and student leadership organisations to ensure their active participation in the conference, enriching the dialogue with their unique viewpoints and innovative solutions. ENTERTAINMENT A ND CULTURE While appreciating that there is a rather formal undertone to the word ‘conference’, our planning team has been deliberate to ensure the vibrant culture of Jamaica is on display as we welcome our Jamaican family home. To further cash in on Brand Jamaica, the conference will enable us to explore our cultural and creative sectors spanning film production, literary works, music, fashion, food, art and even sports as ‘physical culture’. The conference will therefore feature cultural exhibitions, music and art shows, encapsulating the essence of our island’s spirit. Working with our partners at the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Ministry of Culture Entertainment and Sport, the orange economy also known as the creative economy will be a key feature throughout the conference with individual brands, companies and agencies marketing their goods and services in the booths of the Marketplace, which we can boast has been fully sold out given the high interest in the conference. THE MARKETPLACE The Marketplace offers a compelling array of reasons for attendees to participate in this year’s milestone conference. Serving as a comprehensive onestop platform, it will streamline access to essential services from a diverse range of providers including government agencies, private companies, financial institutions, hoteliers, local and Diaspora entrepreneurs. With 12 ministries, departments, and agencies already committed to providing expedited services, attendees can expect efficient assistance tailored to their needs. For instance, individuals interested in property acquisition in Jamaica can seek expert guidance on benefit applications onsite, thanks to the presence of the National Housing Trust. Our legacy partners VM Group and JN Group will also be on hand to discuss mortgage and financial support. Moreover, essential services such as consular assistance, passport issuance, birth certificate procurement and discussions on citizenship registration will be readily available through entities like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, and the Registrar General’s Department. The participation of GraceKennedy Group (our third legacy partner) and other sponsors like Digicel, National Bakery, Blue Mahoe, Island Car Rentals, among others, offers attendees a unique opportunity for direct interaction, enabling them to explore offerings and forge meaningful connections. DIASPORA DAY OF SERVICE A special day of service scheduled for Thursday, June 20, will conclude the conference, allowing our Diaspora to give back in a meaningful way. This day will be highly organised, with pre-arranged projects for attendees to choose from. Historically, these projects range from educational support at local schools to environmental cleanups and healthcare initiatives. Whether you are interested in participating in a beach clean-up, donating supplies to a school or nursing home or painting a local park, you can contact us at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to register your project for our Diaspora Day of Service. The Customs Agency is partnering with us to ensure smooth entry into Jamaica for goods and equipment required for the registered projects. BUSINESS MATCHMAKING (INVESTOR START-UP) To leverage the potential for business and professional growth through networking, the conference will feature structured matchmaking sessions. These sessions aim to connect potential business partners, mentors, investors and industry experts, in a conducive environment. By pairing Diaspora attendees with local business leaders based on their interest and industry, we will foster partnerships that can lead to direct investment and job creation in Jamaica. This initiative reflects the message I have been sharing since taking office last year – Jamaica is not to be seen as only sun, sand and sea, but as a hub for trade and investment. Our objective is to transform networking opportunities into tangible outcomes for both local and diaspora participants. LOGISTICS AND ACCESSIBILITY We are mindful of the logistical concerns that may arise for participants travelling from afar. In collaboration with airlines and local hotels, the ministry is working to secure discounted rates and travel packages to make the trip home as affordable as possible. Additionally, we will provide comprehensive information on travel preparations, accommodations and local transportation on our official website and through our network of consulates and embassies in short order. As preparations for the conference continue, we extend a warm invitation to Jamaicans at home and abroad to register and actively participate. You can visit the ministry’s website at www.mfaft.gov.jm for more information. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE As we look to welcome our Diaspora to Jamaica, the message is clear: this conference is your gateway to re-engaging with your homeland in ways that not only drive national development, but also offer personal networking opportunities and avenues for successful investment. From our Diaspora Day of Service to Investment Networking Power Breakfasts, Business Matchmaking (Investor Start-Up) Sessions and Logistics and Accommodation, the Diaspora Conference provides a platform for you to bring your insights, talents, skills and resources to contribute to Jamaica’s growth. United, we can ensure that the ties that bind us remain strong and that our collective efforts lead to tangible benefits so no Jamaican is left behind. The 10th Biennial Global Jamaica Diaspora Conference isn’t just a meeting of minds – it’s a celebration of all things Jamaican. A strategic forum for advancement, and a heartfelt reunion of our global community. Let us come together to celebrate our achievements, address our challenges, and reinforce the vibrant spirit of our nation. We look forward to you joining us in Montego Bay this June, to play your part in advancing the welfare of Jamaicans at home and abroad, as we shape the future of our beloved Jamaica, together. ALANDO TERRELONGE, MP, JP Attorney-at-Law, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade 16-19 JUNE MONTEGO BAY diasporaconferenceja.eventbrite.com mfaftja www.mfaft.gov.jm
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