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Tufton's Remarks Not In Line With JLP Leader's Position - Samuda
Published: Tuesday | June 18, 2013 1 Comment
An assertion by Dr Christopher Tufton that diaspora conferences have been a waste of time, runs contrary to the position of Opposition Leader Andrew Holness, says Milton Samuda, chairman of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
Tufton, the opposition spokesman on foreign affairs and foreign trade, was quoted in an article in yesterday's Gleaner arguing that the country has yet to benefit significantly from the planning of these events.
However Holness, in a message read by Member of Parliament for East Central St James Edmund Bartlett during the opening ceremony Sunday evening at the Hilton Rose Hall, described the conferences as facilitating meaningful exchanges and engaging in constructive dialogue.
"This dialogue sees Government, Opposition, members of the diaspora, various local institutions, the business community, our international partners and civil society, being brought to the table as partners - as matters pertinent to nation-building and Jamaica's development agenda are brought into sharp focus," read the message delivered by Bartlett.
He added that this caucus was quite timely and all hands must be on deck.
Confused messages
Disappointed by Tufton's statements and the likely impact, the JAMPRO chairman said such a mismatch sends confused messages to all involved, undermining the position of those who want to see the trade event work.
"It is important to engage all the stakeholders. If you don't reach out, how do you expect the growth that this country badly needs?" said Samuda.
The JAMPRO chairman reiterated his stance, put forward in The Sunday Gleaner, that the biennial event was no talk shop. Equipped with numbers generated up to 1 p.m. Monday, the first day of the three-day conference, he revealed that 28 projects were facilitated in JAMPRO's business matchmaking sessions with local and overseas investors.
A total of 110 meetings were held up to that time, with strong interests in 23 of the projects, he noted.
He said the local projects were in agro-processing, light manufacturing, creative industries, tourism and eco development.
"This practical business approach which we are taking is also exemplified in our exposing our delegates to the Montego Bay business community via scheduled bus tours to sites such as the world class Vista Print facility, Montego Bay Freezone, Barnett Tech park/estate and the WesPow Park Sport Training and Camp Facility in Irwin, St James," said Samuda.
The business matchmaking session continues at the conference this morning.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
Published: Tuesday | June 18, 2013 1 Comment
An assertion by Dr Christopher Tufton that diaspora conferences have been a waste of time, runs contrary to the position of Opposition Leader Andrew Holness, says Milton Samuda, chairman of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
Tufton, the opposition spokesman on foreign affairs and foreign trade, was quoted in an article in yesterday's Gleaner arguing that the country has yet to benefit significantly from the planning of these events.
However Holness, in a message read by Member of Parliament for East Central St James Edmund Bartlett during the opening ceremony Sunday evening at the Hilton Rose Hall, described the conferences as facilitating meaningful exchanges and engaging in constructive dialogue.
"This dialogue sees Government, Opposition, members of the diaspora, various local institutions, the business community, our international partners and civil society, being brought to the table as partners - as matters pertinent to nation-building and Jamaica's development agenda are brought into sharp focus," read the message delivered by Bartlett.
He added that this caucus was quite timely and all hands must be on deck.
Confused messages
Disappointed by Tufton's statements and the likely impact, the JAMPRO chairman said such a mismatch sends confused messages to all involved, undermining the position of those who want to see the trade event work.
"It is important to engage all the stakeholders. If you don't reach out, how do you expect the growth that this country badly needs?" said Samuda.
The JAMPRO chairman reiterated his stance, put forward in The Sunday Gleaner, that the biennial event was no talk shop. Equipped with numbers generated up to 1 p.m. Monday, the first day of the three-day conference, he revealed that 28 projects were facilitated in JAMPRO's business matchmaking sessions with local and overseas investors.
A total of 110 meetings were held up to that time, with strong interests in 23 of the projects, he noted.
He said the local projects were in agro-processing, light manufacturing, creative industries, tourism and eco development.
"This practical business approach which we are taking is also exemplified in our exposing our delegates to the Montego Bay business community via scheduled bus tours to sites such as the world class Vista Print facility, Montego Bay Freezone, Barnett Tech park/estate and the WesPow Park Sport Training and Camp Facility in Irwin, St James," said Samuda.
The business matchmaking session continues at the conference this morning.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
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