Jamaica-UK Investment Forum 2009

On Thursday, 5 February 2009, 150 delegates attended the very successful First Jamaica-UK Investment Forum at Church House in Westminster.

The Forum was staged by Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) and Developing Markets Associates (DMA). High-ranking ministers of government, including Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Ken Baugh, Karl Samuda, the Minister of Industry and Investment and Commerce and Minister in the Finance Ministry, Don Wehby spoke in each of the Forum’s three sessions and alongside key industry participants such as Virgin Atlantic, Grace Kennedy and Digicel. The Forum was followed by a gala reception at Church House.

Event Programme and Presentations
The First Jamaica-United Kingdom Investment Forum
10.00am – 10.30am
Registration and refreshments

10:30am – 10.45am
Opening of the Forum
Welcome and introduction from Burchell Whiteman OJ, Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

10.45am – 12.30pm
Session 1: Investing in Jamaica and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Chair: Harry Hagan, Senior Economic Adviser, DFID Hon Dr Kenneth Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
David Jessop, Executive Director, Caribbean Council
Michael Ranglin, Managing Director, Grace Foods
Peter NG de Bruyne, Partner, Blue Mountain Coffee (Europe) Limited.
30 minute Q & A session

12.30pm – 1.45pm
Networking lunch

1.45pm – 3.30pm
Session 2: Investing in Jamaica Chair: Rt Hon Baroness Amos, House of Lords
Hon Karl Samuda, Minister of Investment, Industry and Commerce
Laurence Jones, European Regional Manager, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI)
Hooper Brooks, Director of International Programmes, Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment
P J Mara, Director, Digicel Group. 30 minute Q & A session 3.30pm – 3.50pm Coffee break

3.50pm – 5.35pm
Session 3: Jamaica's improving economy Chair: APPG Caribbean
Hon Minister Don Wehby, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
TrevorThomas,InternationalTax Specialist and author‘Off shore Jamaica – the Path Ahead’
Julie Southern, Chief Financial Officer, Virgin Atlantic Airways.
30 minute Q & A session
Closing Remarks, Audrey Marks, CEO, Paymaster and Board Member, JTI.

5.35pm – 7.30pm
Networking Gala Reception
Welcome by Laurence Jones, European Regional Manager, JTI – Jamaica’s creative industries.
Plus guests of honour