KINGSTON JAMAICA: For 40 years Jamaicans have had access to a quiet resource that is reaping great results. Established in 1986, the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham Jamaica) has used its global network to facilitate trade and investment between Jamaica and the United States. And, while the organisation is not loud about all it does, its impact cannot be denied.
Immediate past president of the Jamaican Affiliate Allison Peart (2017 to 2019) said that AmCham Jamaica is always ready to serve its members. AmCham Jamaica is a key affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation.
“One of the things that we do is provide information on trade, on investment, on what is occurring locally, regionally and in the US, and we share it with our members. The Chamber is a membership organisation — although we are not part of the US Government we work closely with them — and it is a conduit for having discussions with the U.S. Government, the U.S. Embassy, with various AmChams globally and with the US Chamber,” Peart explained.
The organisation she said is there for Jamaican companies to join so that they can access the numerous benefits of being a member including access to members only information from the US Chamber and AmChams globally including seminars on how to operate their businesses more efficiently and how to export goods and services globally.
Peart, managing director of A. Peart Advisory Services, has vast expertise in international tax regimes, shared that the Jamaican AmCham operates closely with the US Chamber and is involved in quiet diplomacy throughout the region.
“AmCham has been involved over the many years of its existence in advocating for and negotiating with the U.S. on trade incentives including the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) but AmCham doesn’t publicize many of its negotiations because quiet diplomacy often works best. AmCham Jamaica has met with several US presidents, met with the commerce secretaries, the State Department, US Commerce Department and has visited Capitol Hill to represent our members on various matters of importance to Jamaica” Peart said.
“The United States is one of our most important relationships. And, as a trade partner, the US Chamber has done a phenomenal job in making sure that that relationship remains relevant. The US Chamber has raised issues facing our members in Jamaica and the Caribbean and has resolved them for us, and they do it quietly, yes, the quiet diplomacy.”
Peart stressed that the organisation would love to see more trade by Jamaican companies with the US, the region and the world. Trading more with Latin American, Central America, Canada and the Caribbean where possible is our goal.
As a part of a global network, AmCham Jamaica is also a member of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA). AmCham Jamaica members have access to information from various international organizations through AACLA on various matters impacting businesses globally including trade negotiations.
Silent Heroes Recognised
For 2026, as well as its 40th anniversary, AmCham hosted its 15th Gala on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Peart praised the awards for its acknowledgement and celebration of people doing good for Jamaica.
The AmCham Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40th Anniversary Gala, really filled a void since the day it started and created an alternative to the usual business awards.
Among the evening’s top honours was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to The Hon. Karl Hendrickson, OJ, CD, Hon. LLD for his extraordinary contributions to business, tourism, philanthropy and national development. The award was accepted on his behalf by his son, Kevin Hendrickson, granddaughter, Amanda Hendrickson, and great grandson, Dylan Marzouca.
Peart explained that the then Amcham Jamaica Executive Director Becky Stockhausen, recognised that Jamaicans operated not just from a business perspective, but also from a giving perspective.
“A lot of Jamaicans are not big and loud about what they do in the Charity and Civic space. We were brought up as Jamaicans to help each other but not to boast and show off about it. It [Amcham Awards] gives publicity to persons who are doing good in our world from the first time the awards were handed out many years ago. Whenever companies or individuals choose to spend their hard-earned money on social causes and on civic causes, I am always impressed because they don’t have to do it since it means less money in their pockets” she said.
“Becky Stockhausen and the AmCham Jamaica team when they conceptualized the awards sought to raise the profile of what entities were doing to help Jamaicans. Many [businesspeople] do civic and charitable things that nobody knows about. It’s out of the goodness of their heart that they help others.”
The coveted 2026 President’s Award was presented to Audrey Tugwell-Henry, President and CEO of Scotiabank Jamaica, for her exemplary civic leadership and impact on Jamaica’s financial sector. Her daughter, Peter-Kay Henry, accepted the award on her behalf.
Peart also commended the role of the current and past AmCham Jamaica presidents and the current Secretariat for its work to secure the benefits of networking across industries and companies for the past 40 years.
“Without the presidents, AmCham Jamaica would not exist because it is unpaid work. The current president, Ann-Dawn Young-Sang, has really held us down during COVID when everybody went quiet and she continues to serve and help us today,” Peart beamed. President Young-Sang also serves as President and CEO for AYS Global Consults Limited.
“As Jamaicans, we need to cheer our Jamaica brand, which is phenomenal. As Jamaicans, we need to share our Jamaican products and services because the whole world needs to know that we’re not just sea, sun and rum but we are also phenomenal people who accomplish amazing things in the Business world. We are lucky as Jamaicans to have wonderful people, and they are our greatest assets because whether they live in Jamaica or abroad, Jamaicans do wonderful things wherever we are”.
The Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards programme highlighted organisations and individuals whose work continues to strengthen families and communities across the nation. This year, special Good Samaritan Awards were presented in recognition of humanitarian support following Hurricane Melissa, honouring the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation and the Sean Paul Foundation for their extraordinary relief efforts in the affected Western communities.
Danielle Rae Neil/The Happi Hub was named winner for Small Organisations, while the Grace Kennedy Group received top honours in the Large Organisations category. The AmCham Jamaica Civic Leadership Awards for Excellence for Large Companies was awarded to the Digicel Foundation, while Christopher Chinapoo walked away with the coveted prize for the Individuals and Small organisations category.