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Dr. Aloysius Tay, (2nd from left) Resident Trade Counsel to Jamaica in Singapore addresses the audience while from l-r, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alwin Hales, Minister Mike Henry and another member of the Singaporean Trade Delegation look on.

Following talks with a visiting team of Singaporean investors between July 21 and 24, Minister Mike Henry is expressing optimism.

The Minister said that the talks were especially beneficial in the areas of air and marine transport.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting with the delegation at the Ministry on Tuesday, July 21, the Minister noted that Jamaica is looking for partnerships including both the public and private sectors.

“We are looking for partnerships between the public and private sectors, with the governments facilitating the expansion and development of these programmes,” Minister Henry explained.

For his part, leader of the Singaporean delegation, Dr. Aloysius Tay highlighted the benefits that can possibly be derived from Vernamfield in Clarendon as well as any tourism spin-offs.

“Vernamfield is not too far away from Kingston and Milk River Bath is not too far away. There are so many things that are advantageous to Vernamfield that can be used. Transshipment is something that Singapore has been relying on, and it is very possible that we can grow Jamaica through Vernamfield,” he explained

Continuing, Dr. Tay said, “There are also great possibilities for a Jamaican airline that goes beyond the region and into the far east.”

The high level Singaporean delegation was in Jamaica for discussions with various government entities as well as a number of private sector interests. Their visit to Jamaica comes following a similar trip to Singapore by a Jamaican delegation led by Minister Henry in May.

Other members of the Singaporean team were Arthur Gerard Kok, Trade Officer of the Jamaica Ship Registry in Singapore; Alex Soh, Managing Director of Asian Cargo and Charter Consultancy; Weixiu Guo, Procurement Representative of Asia (Rum and Coffee) Company; Chan Chee Kheong, Director, ST Electronics and Wang Kwang Meng, CEO of Jupiter Innovations.

A Jamaican Trade Office has been established in Singapore since the visit of the Jamaican delegation back in May. Two outcomes of that visit have been the establishment of the Aviation Training Institute here in Jamaica and the launch of the Jamaica Ship Registry in Singapore.