CONTENT FOR

JAMAICA DIASPORA CONFERENCE 2013 SCHEDULE

DIASPORA DAY: SUNDAY JUNE 16

The opening ceremony and Welcome reception for Diaspora members will be held on Diaspora Day June 16, 2013.

Jamaica celebrated its 50th Anniversary of political independence in 2012. During that year two major events energized the Jamaicans at home and worldwide, Jamaica 50 and the Olympic Games in London. Jamaicans in their various host countries across the globe displayed their love and support for Jamaica. There were major celebratory events in Jamaica and Diaspora locations such as USA, Canada, UK, South Africa and Germany. Homecoming movements and missions for Healthcare and Education continued their strong support for Jamaica. Our food, fashion, music, arts and culture together with our athletic and intellectual prowess were showcased to the world in their finest form. Jamaicans at home and abroad showed strong commitment to the mission to create sustainable development for our country.

This momentum must continue in the Year 2013 and beyond. We must now address our minds to the legacy projects. It is against this backdrop that the Diaspora Conference 2013 is taking place. The Conference is intended to build on the gains of meaningful partnership and engagement with Jamaica and its Diaspora. The focus this year will be on Business Trade and Investment.

The Opening Ceremony and the reception will set a high energy tone and commitment for action. The décor will follow that of the Jamaica House in the UK during the Olympics in 2012 and reflect the integral role of the Diaspora in organizing the JA 50 events in their different locations. It will also incorporate the message that Diaspora Conference 2013 is building on the legacy elements of JA 50 by consolidating opportunities for business investment and trade during and after 2013.

There will be a combination of motivating messages from key speakers led by the Prime Minister, entertainment showcasing the best of our music and culture as well as a multimedia montage of the continuing contribution of the Diaspora to Jamaica’s Development.

CONFERENCE DAYS JUNE 17-19

Overview

The conference will consist of three days of interactive presentations and discussions consultations and exploration of business investment and trade opportunities under the Theme: A Nation on a Mission: Jamaica Diaspora Partnership for National Development.

In addition to plenary presentations and question and answer sessions related to the theme, there will be a MARKETPLACE each day which will provide opportunities for small groups and individuals to have targeted discussions and consultations related to business trade and investments with private and public sector entities with specific projects, exhibitors and key government agencies.

There will also be special guest speakers during LUNCH each day.

CONFERENCE DAY 1: MONDAY JUNE 17

The first working Day of the conference will focus on two areas:

1.  International Migration and development

2.  Jamaica’s Vision 2030

International Migration and Development

Countries worldwide are paying increased attention to the relationship between migration and development. In particular the impact of migration on the three pillars of sustainable development – social, economic and environment – are being given serious consideration in both host countries and countries of origin, such as Jamaica. An important aspect of this consideration is the role that foreign policy and international relations play to enable Diaspora members to succeed where they live and maximize their contributions to their country of origin, such as Jamaica.

In examining the area of international migration and development, it is useful to learn from countries that have had success in this area.

In Session 1, the conference will hear from a foreign Minister (to be announced) who will share their experiences with us. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion and audience participation to explore the opportunities and challenges of migration and development.

There will be three topics on which the discussion will focus:

1.  Diaspora Governance in Host Countries and Jamaica that facilitate engagement and partnerships

2.  Market Access in relation to EPA, CBI and CARIBCAN

3.  Jamaican identity and Heritage: Connecting the first, second and third Generation and Future Leaders in the Diaspora with Jamaica

Jamaica’s Vision 2030

Engagement and partnership with our Diaspora must be integral to our national goals, strategic initiatives and actions for sustainable development in Jamaica.

The framework for ensuring this is linking the Diaspora and its contributions to the core goals of Vision 2030:

  1. Empowering our people to maximize the value of their skills, expertise and creativity
  2. Creating economic prosperity
  3. Peace and harmony to provide a safe place to live, work, do business and raise families
  4. Protecting our natural environment and utilizing our environmental resources to facilitate development.

In Session 2, Vision 2030 and Diaspora partnership and engagement will be explored under 4 major headings:

  1. Human Capital
  2. Economy
  3. Security
  4. Environment

In this session, an overview of the investment opportunities, in relation to the Vision 2030 goals, the overarching framework for investment and the Diaspora Investment Strategy will be highlighted.

For effective use of time, the presentation for this session will be a multimedia presentation, which involves the use of a short DVD.

The overview will be followed by a panel discussion and involvement of participants in questions and answers. Three areas will be emphasized:

1.  Diaspora investment strategy

2.  Diaspora public-private partnerships for wealth creation

3.  Diaspora expectations for investment in Jamaica

Session 3 will focus on creating a safe and peaceful environment for business and investment.

CONFERENCE DAY 2: TUESDAY, JUNE 18

The second day of the conference will target Opportunities for the Diaspora for Business, Trade and Investment covering mega-investment projects, special projects in agriculture and agribusiness, venture capital and capital market and special niches for MSME’s.

In Session 1, the focus will be on Mega Investment Projects. Attention will be placed on selected major national projects, such as:

  1. Logistics HUB
  2. ICT and Energy
  3. Agro Park

In Session 2, the focus will be on Venture Capital and Capital Markets

Venture Capital

Venture capital involving the Diaspora will be related to agro-business, energy projects and partnerships with MSME’s

Capital Market

The Diaspora Bond and opportunities for investment for the Diaspora through the Jamaica Stock Exchange and especially the use of the Junior Stock Market will be emphasized.

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

The third day of the conference will direct attention to investment opportunities for the Diaspora that are linked to Tourism, the Creative Industries, Sports, Education and Healthcare.

  1. Health: New hospitals; electronic records management for hospitals
  2. Tourism: Medical Tourism and Diaspora Visitors’ Programme
  3. Creative Industries: Music, Entertainment, Fashion, Film and Movies
  4. Sports: Building Multi-purpose sports facilities, Sports business industry
  5. Education: New schools and Refurbishing and upgrading school buildings and Diaspora Expertise for educational programmes

There will also be discussion on the impact of policies in Diaspora host countries on Diaspora business investment and trade in Jamaica. There will be focus on two areas:

1.  FATCA and its implications for Diaspora financial transactions with Financial Institutions in Jamaica

2.  Social benefits, such as pension and health insurance, and their portability and transferability

At the end of plenary sessions and marketplace activities there will be a summary presentation and discussion on major items for post conference follow up actions.

The conference will end with a closing session.

The Closing session will be followed by the Governor General Diaspora Awards function .

After this function there will be entertainment food fashion and music .

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Prepared By: Professor Neville Ying

Chair, Content/ Schedule Committee

Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2013

November 2012