5 ATLANTA, GEORGIA: I NDUSTRY INVESTMENT and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill has signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives of the Georgia Aquarium as the country explores opportunities for development of its Blue Economy. The signing took place at a reception hosted by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta at the Georgia Aquarium onWednesday May 24, and formed part of the minister’s two-day trade visit to Atlanta. President and CEO Dr Brian Davis explained that the Aquarium, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, is a multi-disciplinary entity, which spans scientific research, ocean conservation, education, tourism, entertainment, and guest experience. “The memorandum that we signed today was made possible fromour previous meetings as well as work that we have conducted over the last two years in Jamaica with local partners,” Dr Davis said. “We believe that we are in a strong position to explore working closely with the Government of Jamaica in a number of aspects,” he continued. In his remarks, Minister Hill said Jamaica was pleased to be involved, and commended Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami with responsibility to Atlanta, Oliver Mair, whose initiative it was to partner with the Atlanta Aquarium. SHARK SANCTUARY Under the signed MOU, there is expected to be commercial cooperation by way of the purchase of ornamental fish for their location as well as the aquarium industry in the USA. Jamaica will facilitate the growth of the industry. In addition, the Atlanta Aquarium will assist in capacity building by providing skills training and development to support aquatic sustainability, including animal care and life- support systems. They will also work towards the protection of important marine areas through the establishment of fish sanctuaries in Jamaica. “This would build on the work we have done so far in Jamaica for the two new sanctuaries being gazetted,” he noted. Yet another initiative will be a Shark Research, Conservation and Education component where the Georgia Aquarium will work with Jamaica to conduct research and education on sharks towards the possible establishment of a shark sanctuary in Jamaica. As part of the initiative, an exchange programme will be implemented to explore facilitation of exchange of students and early career professionals to gain exposure to relevant training programmes and environments both in the USA and Jamaica. Both parties will work towards the establishment of a Port Royal Exhibition at the Georgia Aquarium highlighting Port Royal and the marine protected areas. The Georgia Aquarium is the most popular visitor attraction in the state of Georgia, generating over US$120 million in estimated annual revenues, and has stimulated over US$5 billion of investments in the city of Atlanta. While in Atlanta, Senator Hill met with a number of business interests, addressed a business breakfast sponsored by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta as well as town hall meeting attended by members of the Jamaican community in Atlanta. Jamaica, Georgia Aquarium sign MOU on blue economy’ opportunities Industry Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill (right) and CEO of the Georgia Aquarium Dr. Brian Davis sign the memorandum of understanding. Looking on from left are; Dr. Dayne Buddo, director of policy at the Georgia Aquarium; Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair; President of JAMPRO Shullette Cox; Jamaica’s honorary consul to Atlanta Dr. Elaine Bryan and the Interim Executive Officer of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority KelliDawn Hamilton. PHOTO BY DERRICK SCOTT NEW YORK, NEW YORK: THE GREATER Falmouth area of Trelawny is to see a scaling up of investments in hotel infrastructure totalling some US$625 million for the construction of three new properties and one expansion over the next few years. Jamaica’s New York Consul General Alsion Wilson told the Friends of Falmouth symposium at the Major OwensWellness Centre in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, May 27, that Trelawny currently boasts approximately six large hotels and a total capacity of 3,906 beds. “These exciting additions, including establishments like Harmony Cove with 1,000 rooms, Planet Hollywood Royalton with 650 rooms, RIU Aquarelle with 753 rooms, and Excellence Oyster Bay with 50 new rooms, will bring the total number of hotel rooms in the Trelawny area to an impressive 3,700,” the consul general pointed out. She said the historic town of Falmouth is expected to further benefit from renewed investments in near-port activities, aimed at fostering greater integration between the town and the port. “These initiatives”, Wilson said, “are designed to enhance the overall attractiveness of Falmouth to both cruise and land-based visitors, ensuring a vibrant and engaging experience for all.” She advised that the“Port Authority of Jamaica is committed to repositioning the historic Falmouth port to leverage the current boom in the fiercely competitive global cruise market. This involves significant investments in new projects and infrastructure.” “One notable undertaking is the development of a new township on 50 acres of reclaimed land adjacent to the port. This environmentally friendly and people-focused township will complement the town’s existing Georgian origins, while embracing a modern vision,”Wilson said. “The socio-economic benefits brought about by the port’s establishment have been truly remarkable. Over the past 10 years, the port has welcomed around seven million passengers, averaging approximately 550,000 passengers annually, excluding the challenging years of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Such numbers signify the immense potential of the Falmouth port as a catalyst for economic growth and development in the region,” the consul general observed. “According to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Annual Travel Statistics, the average spend per cruise passenger increased from US$71 in 2011 to US$100 in 2020. This upward trend reflects the growing attractiveness of Falmouth as a destination, and highlights the economic benefits experienced by local businesses and entrepreneurs,” she said. AVENUES FOR LINKAGES She urged members of the Trelawny diaspora to “unite to lobby for the preservation of this historical town, collaborating with citizens and city officials alike to ensure that the essence of Falmouth remains intact. By doing so, we can guarantee that future generations will have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the remarkable cultural heritage that Falmouth offers,” Wilson observed. She “hopes that this Friends of Falmouth symposium will look at, among other things, how to ensure that the parish of Trelawny can benefit and continue its economic climb”. “I implore you to identify avenues for linkages between farmers and the growing hotel sector. Ensure that residents are trained to take advantage of new employment opportunities at all levels and not just low-skilled jobs. You who are from Falmouth have a duty to ensure that you get involved,”Wilson said. The Friends of Falmouth Symposium & Brunch was part of the annual Trelawny Reunion Weekend, which sees thousands of Trelawnyites living in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe descend on New York for a host of events. As a complement to the event, Friends of Falmouth launched a mega fundraising raffle with proceeds in aid of the Falmouth Infant School, for which the grand prize is a seven-night stay for two at the all-inclusive Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa in St James. Massive hotel investments slated for greater Falmouth area CG Alsion Wilson welcomes Mayor of Falmouth Collen Gager to New York at the start of the Friends of Falmouth symposium in Brooklyn New York, recently. Jamaica’s Consul General in New York, AlsionWilson (centre) shares a light moment with boardmembers of Friends of Falmouth at the organisation’s symposiumon held Saturday May 27 at the Major Owens Wellness Centre in Brooklyn New York. They are (from left): Lance Hall, Peter Johnson, Michael Wattkis, Oliver Huie, and Derrick Scott. PHOTOS BY DERRICK SCOTT THE MONTHLY GLEANER | JUNE 1 - JULY 5, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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