Promoting Investment and Trade between the United States, Jamaicas and the Region
AMCHAM JAMAICA - The Jamaica Pegasus, 81 Knutsford Blvd - Kingston 5 Tel. (876) 929-7866 Fax. (876) 929-8597
AmCham Jamaica Logo and Branding Notice: The names "AmCham Jamaica" and "American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica" and the AmCham Jamaica logos (brand mark including symbol, AmCham logotype, Jamaica adjective and associated colors) are the exclusive property of AmCham Jamaica and may not be used for any purpose by any entity or individual without the express written permission of AmCham Jamaica. For further information contact: amcham@cwjamaica.com
Current Focus
CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE AND GLOBAL LOGISTICS HUB INITIATIVE
We would like to express our appreciation to you CEO's who joined us at our last meeting with the Hon. Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce which took place on Friday, May 3rd, 2013, or when that wasn't possible, you sent members of your team. We now will have a follow-up meeting with the Minister on Friday, June 7, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., again at the Ministry.
That gathering and the April Luncheon which many of you attended when we heard from the Hon. Minister, about the Global Logistics Hub, and from Mr. Jose Raul Perales, of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. David Lewis, VP of Manchester Trade, based in Washington, D. C., in person at the Luncheon, and again when Dr. Lewis joined us by phone at the May 3rd meeting, about the very short, current window of opportunity which now exists for the possible expansion of the Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative (CBI), to include the "services sectors" as described briefly below. The passage of this legislation will require the lobbying of both houses of Congress, vigorously in this very short time span, to make this tremendous opportunity for the services sectors to take advantage of a Trade Agreement similar to what other sectors have enjoyed in the past. However, we need to quickly consider how much of a role, and what role we will play in these opportunities, and especially with regard to the decision as to whether you in the services sectors are willing to contribute to we wish to engage Dr. David Lewis and Manchester Trade in the lobbying of the U. S. Congress to make the matter of CBI Expansion a reality. Therefore, please review the brief paragraphs below giving a snapshot of the topic, and to be reminded of the importance of these opportunities for our members, and Jamaica's economic development.
We look forward to your support, and feel inspired that AMCHAM can once again utilize the unique position we hold through our international networks to do exciting things for Jamaica.
1. The Potential that Currently Exists for the Expansion of the Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative (CBI) to include the Services Sectors
The U. S. Chamber of Commerce, several months ago brought to our attention an opportunity that exists for expansion of the CBI to include 27 service sectors, perhaps in ways similar to the new Free Trade Agreement between the U. S. and the EU. Our Advisor, Dr. David Lewis of the Washington DC-based Manchester Trade has said the “CARICOM beneficiaries of the CBI have maxed-out the trade preferences of the CBI over the past 3 decades in zero duties, zero quotas, incentives, etc. in textiles-apparel, free trade zone manufacturing, agro industry and other goods-based export trade into the USA. Over the same 3 decades the economies of these CBI beneficiaries have changed and transformed (for various domestic, regional and international competitiveness reasons) away from goods and into services.In CARICOM the average is that 75% of the economies are already services-dominated, with some as high as 90%. Moreover, at the global level the fastest and largest growing sector of international trade is in the services sectors, which includes, naming just a few:
a. Financial and insurance sectors
b. Tourism, including Sports Tourism & Training, and Wellness Tourism
c. Telecommunications
d. Creative Industries
e. Engineering
f. Accounting
g. Entertainment, & more!
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact us. Also please review below some brief information regarding AMCHAM’S support to the GOJ in attracting foreign investors and stakeholders, from the U. S. and within the Region toward the development of the Global Logistics Hub in Jamaica. Then let us know of your interest in either or both of these activities.
2. The Global Logistics Hub Proposed for Jamaica
AMCHAM, having participated in a Mission to Washington DC in February, 2013, where extensive meetings took place at both the World Bank, who having seen the presentation made by the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce, and JAMPRO, has since referred to the initiative as being the only initiative they can imagine as having the potential for the “transformation of Jamaica” Likewise with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the U. S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA), and others, all of whom expressed great interest and enthusiasm for supporting Jamaica’s quest for the project, with aspects of the Hub development to be concluded in time for the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, in 2015. In fact, they were of the view that it is most unlikely that any other single initiative on the horizon which had the potential to impact every sector of the Island, and set Jamaica at last on a path for growth. AMCHAM, via the U. S. Chamber of Commerce will assist in recognizing and encouraging U. S. companies in sectors that would benefit from the Global Logistics Hub in Jamaica. Contact us if you have interested or questions on these issues.
Past Successes
AMCHAM-JAMAICA’S PREVIOUS LOBBYING EFFORTS IN WASHINGTON, DC. HAVE BENEFITED ITS MEMBERS AND JAMAICA IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
1. Prior to their departure to postings abroad, all U. S. Consul Generals are now requested by the U. S. State Department and Homeland Security to work closely with AMCHAM bodies located in each of the 100 countries around the world in the issuance of U.S. visas related to business travel. In Jamaica, our current success rate at guiding our members through this process is at an all-time high - 95%!
2. In 2001, new U.S. Legislation was rushed through the U.S. Congress - in a record three months – which gave the USAID permission to fund “policing activities”— only in Jamaica. This resulted in the USAID facilitating the development of community policing in Grants Pen, which led to an unprecedented 13 months of no homicide or serious crime being committed in Grants Pen; the return of the delivery of goods and services to the community, resulting in Tropicair opening an outlet in the area and the discontinuation of guns shots which previously permeated the night air. Thereafter, Congress lifted the embargo on this type of funding, worldwide.
3. Grants Pen Model Community Policing and Services Centre developed in partnership with USAID, GOJ and the Private Sector. This new centre was valued at US$2.5 million dollars. Based on early success of no homicides for 13 months, U.S. Congress lifted ban and USAID carrying out similar projects world wide.
