Jamaica celebrates independence in PoS

MINISTER of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dennis Moses, on the occasion of Jamaica’s 57th anniversary of independence, said through its unique culture, Jamaica has built a globally recognised brand that pulses through the consciousness of Jamaicans at home and abroad.

He spoke on Tuesday at a reception at the residence of the Jamaican High Commissioner in St Clair to mark the occasion.

Moses spoke of the country’s commitment to progress, noting for instance that Jamaica is "one of the first countries in the region to allow citizens easy access to government services through an e-governance platform."

He also praised Jamaica for cultivating a strong voice in the international arena despite its size, particularly in its advocacy on issues affecting the development of small states, such as climate change.

Moses then spoke of the upcoming Carifesta and expressed the confidence that the contingent from Jamaica will not disappoint.

He underscored TT’s commitment to further strengthen the warm and fraternal ties between the two countries and to collaborate with Jamaica within Caricom. He said the bilateral relationship had been strong, and the two countries had had formal diplomatic relations since 1963.

He extended best wishes to the government and people of Jamaica on TT’s behalf.

Jamaican High Commissioner Arthur Williams told guests: “On this, our independence day, it is a time of togetherness and unity, when our motto ‘Out of Many, One People’ takes on an even more significant meaning.”

He reflected on the road Jamaica had travelled thus far, and said: “The 57th year of our independence has been a watershed year for Jamaica. In respect of our economy, for the first time in many years, all of the key performance targets were met and we achieved several all-time best performances in the economy.”

He listed among the achievements Jamaica’s highest growth rate since 2006, the sixth consecutive year of growth, and a GDP which has surpassed the pre-crisis level of 2007 for the first time. He also boasted of an unemployment rate which declined to the lowest ever in Jamaican’s history at 96.1 per cent, and the highest foreign exchange reserves in the country’s history.

Williams said there is positive movement in business and consumer confidence, increased private-sector credit and relatively low inflation.

On crime in Jamaica, he said: “We have faced the monster of crime and violence with resolute measures and we are seeing some reduction in crime, and in particular, in murders. And so this has been a special year for Jamaica with remarkable achievements.”

He also paid tribute to Edward Seaga, former Jamaican prime minister, who died in May.

Seaga, he said, was the longest-serving parliamentarian in Jamaica’s history, who laid a firm foundation for modern Jamaica.

“Indeed, he was the last surviving member of that distinguished group of parliamentarians, led by then premier Norman Manley, who fashioned our independence constitution.”

A toast was raised to both countries, as they celebrate their independence in the same month.

Guests were then treated to Jamaican delicacies.