Momentum maintained on solidifying Singaporean assistance to Jamaica on special economic zone development

It is always gratifying to see one’s work in contributing to Jamaica’s national development take positive steps forward.

Met Jamaican PM @andrewholnessjm, who is visiting Singapore for the first time today. We discussed possible cooperation in trade, infrastructure and urban planning. Jamaica is famous for its celebrities (sprinter Usain Bolt and musician Bob Marley), music, and beautiful beaches. But the Caribbean island is eager to promote growth and development. The Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and the Jamaican Government recently signed an MOU for the SCE to help develop the country’s special economic zones. I look forward to strengthening our friendship and cooperation with Jamaica. – LHL (MCI Photo by Fyrol)

A post shared by Lee Hsien Loong (@leehsienloong) on Jul 28, 2017 at 6:02am PDT

It was a little over a year ago that the idea of co-operating with Singapore on special economic zone development in Jamaica was rekindled in my mind and myself and the team from the Global Logistics Hub Initiative and now Jamaica’s Special Economic Zone Authority took action to get a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the Government of  Singapore to advance this vision.  The vision was inspired (or re-inspired as I had the idea a few years before) by the work done by Singapore in Suzhou and Tianjin, both In China.  Their integrated, comprehensive, and eco-friendly approach to industrial and urban development, is exactly what Jamaica would need to take its SEZ development to the best in class level.

And thus from an idea to action.

The discussions  between Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness on his two day working visiting to Singapore with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong keeps the momentum going.  These  discussions  follow on the the Jamaican delegation to Singapore in June lead by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Daryl Vaz where the mission of the delegation was best summarized by the Chairman of Jamaica’s Special Economic Zone Authority, Metry Seaga:

“Growing the Jamaican economy is a priority for the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority, and our intention is to get it right. In order to do this, we must incorporate international best practice and service standards. This is why we have partnered with Singapore and will be participating in this study trip to get a first-hand view of First-World practices.”

Now that we have gotten this far, there is more work to come, and more positives for Jamaica.

Stay tuned.

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• The Top 20 Business Trends to look for in Jamaica in 2020
• What is the role of Special Economic Zones in the Jamaican economy?