Former
Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Hon PJ Patterson, who
served as Head of Government for 14 unbroken years
told a packed house at the Schomburg Center for Research
In Black Culture in Harlem, that "On a per capita
basis, Jamaica receives the highest remittance inflow
of any country in the region – peaking at US$1.5
billion – averaging 12% of GDP during the last
few years."
This he said exceeds the value of Foreign Direct Investment
and vastly more than the amount of Official Development
Assistance.
The Hon Prime Minister's comments came as he addressed
the 4th annual CIN TV Caribbean lecture series about
the 'importance of the Caribbean Diaspora to Economic
development.'
Mr. Patterson drew attention to the importance of
e-commerce, saying growth in internet sales in the
US is substantially outpacing traditional retail sales.
He suggested that those among the Diaspora who have
been involved in e-commerce abroad possess the advantage
of substantial technical and other experience which
can be a tremendous asset in the establishment of
such industries in the region.
In terms of cultural an entertainment product development,
he disclosed that the sector presents tremendous opportunities
to develop sustainable business and offers the possibility
to position the country as one of, if not, the most
dynamic exciting creative hub worldwide.
"We enjoy name recognition, global appeal and
competitive market advantage internationally based
on the strength of our music and cultural products"
the former PM said.
He highlighted the fact that "Out of Trinidad
and Tobago has come the only new musical instrument
of the 20th Century – the melody of the steel
pan…Reggae" he bragged, "is probably
the only music not of European or American origin
which can be heard in every country on earth and is
arguably the first example in modern times of a third
word country exporting its culture to such a diverse
audience."
In terms of the size of the Caribbean Diaspora, Mr.
Patterson noted that it is never easy to arrive at
a precise number. Allowance he said has to be made
for the undocumented residents and second and third
descendants who can be aroused to become fully engaged
in the course of Caribbean development. He suggested
that the continuing flow of people from the Caribbean
has set the stage for the formation of special interest
groups with strong transnational agendas and objectives.
And warned that the importance of the diasporic community
in lobbying special interest on behalf of the Caribbean
must not be underestimated in the regional quest for
economic development.
Stephen Hill, CEO of Caribbean International Network
(CIN TV) who delivered the vote of thanks, said "Tonight
was the celebration of a Caribbean icon, the most
Honorable PJ Patterson. We are indeed very proud of
the CIN Lecture Series as it allows the New York/American
community to meet their Caribbean heroes and celebrate
them while they are still alive."
Among the dignitaries attending the lecture series
were Howard Dodson, CEO, Schomburg Center; Hon Una
Clarke, former Brooklyn City Councilwoman; Rosealee
Dean, Senior Vice President, Capital & Credit
Financial Group ; Christopher Dobson, JTB, Christopher
& Joan Roberts proprietors of The Door Restaurant;
Bob Gore, CIN TV, NY and Mr. Jose Richards, president
& CEO of the Sons and Daughters of Jamaica.
About CIN TV
For the past 14 years the CIN has been the only regularly
scheduled television service for the Caribbean community
in the New York area. Over the years the network has
provided a full menu of news, sports, drama and music
programmes created exclusively for the rapidly growing
and youthful Caribbean population. Each week CIN airs
a wide and diverse range of information and entertainment
programmes for the large Caribbean-American.
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