News from the OPM

Government Completes Successful Visit to Chile – Bilateral Agreement Signed to Boost Trade and Investment


Government Completes Successful Visit to Chile – Bilateral Agreement Signed to Boost Trade and Investment
Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson - Smith (left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Chile's Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz show their copy of agreements signed to boost trade, investment and sport development in both countries. Prime Minister Andrew Holness and President of Chile, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet were also on hand to share in the moment.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his delegation have completed a successful one- day official working visit to the Republic of Chile.

Prime Minister Holness and President of Chile, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet met yesterday (August 30) and engaged in fruitful bilateral discussions. They explored matters of importance to both countries as well as regional and hemispheric issues.

Other members of the Jamaican delegation participated in the meeting including Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Her Excellency Alison Stone Roofe, Ambassador to Brazil accredited to Chile and the Plenipotentiary Ambassador for Economic Affairs, Nigel Clarke.  Minister of Sport, Pablo Squella and Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz represented the Government of Chile.

Arising from the visit, two agreements were signed to boost investment and regional trade; and enhance sport development to encourage physical activity among young people.

Foreign Minister Johnson Smith who signed the agreements along with her Chilean counterpart said, “I had the pleasure of signing together with Foreign Minister Muñoz an MOU for technical cooperation between ProChile and JAMPRO as well as an agreement for technical cooperation for areas of sport and culture. Chile of course has expertise in gymnastics and tennis; Jamaica has expertise in athletics.”

She added, “we will be working together to look at how we can promote activity and physical well-being among our young people as well as of course formal training in sports and culture.”

The delegation had discourse with the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism about potential opportunities between the private sector in Jamaica and Chile. They also discussed mutual areas of interest such as mining, logistics, agriculture and agro-business.

Prime Minister Holness delivered the keynote address at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) where he reiterated the country’s commitment to the principles of the ECLAC and endorsed the proposal for debt relief for English-Speaking Caribbean countries.

The delegation returns to the island today (August 31).

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