Gleaner Na 202111

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | NOVEMBER 4 - NOVEMBER 10, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 Mark D. Milward/Contributor T HE PASSPORT, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) conducted a passport renewal and citizenship drive in the diaspora, October 8-10, this time visiting Hartford, Connecticut, USA. The PICA team consisting of 17 Jamaicans from the island and led by CEO Andrew Wynter processed over 450 passport applications and saw Jamaicans com- ing to the Colin Bennett Building in Hartford fromas far as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. Applications were processed for new passports, passport renewals, lost or stolen passports, and particu- lar cases. More than 70 applicants sought passports for their children and grandchildren born in the US under the Jamaican citizenship by descent provision. The desire of many Jamaica-born US citizens was to en- sure and reinforce the connection of their descendants to their home country. FOR A sizeable number of applicants, renewing their passport was an exhila- rating and emotional experience with some weeping openly upon having their Jamaican passport renewed after more than 40 years of being without it. The appreciation for the PICA visit resonated throughout the three-day event and the staff who executed brilliantly were reminded each day how much their presence was ap- preciated. Visits from Hartford Mayor Luke A. Bronin and Connecticut State Senator Doug McClory were highlights at the event. Each spoke as attendees were being processed and the local television, radio and newspapers pro- vided coverage before and during the event. Hartford Public Access Television (HPATV) live streamed portions of the event to the Global Jamaican diaspora through The Jamaica Diaspora Show Facebook page. Violette Haldane, president of the West Indian Foundation and its sister or- ganisation, theWest Indian Social Club of Hartford, Inc (WISC) led the Hartford teams’ planning efforts to coordinate PICA’s visit which began in early July. Dr Gary Rhule, MD, Councilwoman Shirley Surgeon, Beverly Redd, admin- istrator (WISC), WESU radio personality Donovan Longmore, and Sashan Blake provided support. GraceKennedy and Western Union were major sponsors, which also in- cludedVictoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), JN Money (Jamaica National Group) and Integrated Diaspora Services (IDS). IDS is a business sepa- rate from PICA and offered services for those who needed help obtaining their taxpayer registration number (TRN), birth certificates, land and title doc- umentation, and property real estate information. Haldane stated, “It was a much- needed event based on the participa- tion and turnout. We certainly would welcome a return visit to Hartford by the PICA team, because in spite of the turnout and promotion of the event there were many callers who were un- able to attend because they found out about the event happening too late.” The visit to Hartford enabled the PICA team to witness a thriving and progressive Jamaican community whose diaspora organisations in- clude the Caribbean American Society, Jamaica Progressive League (JPL), as well as theWest Indian Social Club Inc (WISC). TheWISC and JPL are also members of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organisations (NAJASO), the umbrella organisation for Jamaican organisations in the United States, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Both are also founding member or- ganisations of NAJASO, and with this event being held at the Colin Bennett Building, serves as a fitting tribute to Mr Bennett, a Jamaican, who served as NAJASO’s first president in 1977. The PICA visit to the US diaspora was its third, with previous visits made in Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. According to Wynter, the turnout for those applying for passports exceeds the numbers in Atlanta and were just below the numbers processed at the Florida passport and citizen- ship drive. In considering that we are now in a COVID-19 pandemic environment, he felt the turnout went extremely well. Good support for passport renewal, citizenship drive Booth representatives at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency’s (PICA) outreach event. Persons wait to be attended at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency’s (PICA) outreach event. Persons wait to be attended at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency’s (PICA) outreach event. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS West Indian Social Club of Hartford, Inc led coordination for PICA visit Aubrey Campbell/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK, NY: MINISTER AUDLEY Shaw believes Jamaica’s agriculture sector is underutilised. SPEAKING WITH business partners and potential investors at a luncheon meeting at the offices of the Jamaican consulate, NYC, on Thursday, October 14, Minister Shaw lamented what he said was the shortage of Jamaican products in the USA market. Singling out the fruits mango and ackee, Minister Shaw said that demand for ackee was now at an all-time high, following a recent publication in the influential National Geographic mag- azine naming ackee and salt fish (cod), as one of the 10 best national dishes in the world. “Because of that (designation), peo- ple from all over the world are calling to get some; they are curious,”he offered. Shaw said that as the country emerges from the pandemic, his super ministry – Industry, Investment, Commerce, and with responsibility for Agriculture and Fisheries - and the Government, will be moving to set up a number of agro parks across the country to focus on“not only just fresh foods. but processed foods as well”. “One of the things we have to do now is not just put the ackee orchards in (place), but to target not just sell- ing the ackee in a can, but sell it as a finished product – ackee and salt fish in a can.” Emphasising that agriculture could be the next economic driver, Minister Shaw said that the agro parks will target those products that are in great demand overseas, thereby providing a guaranteed market. He said the agro parks will also target younger farmers by providing technical assistance in an organised environment. The meet ing, which was organised by the Jamaica Promotions and Investment Corporation – JAMPRO (NY office) - and the Jamaican con- sulate general, provided the minister an opportunity to connect with the diaspora during a personal visit to the New York area. Patrons were greeted by Ambassador Brian Wallace, Jamaica’s permanent representative to the United Nations with Consul General Mrs AlsionWilson, OD, offering the vote of thanks. The luncheon session, which was the secondmeeting of the day for the min- ister, was moderated by Shane Angus, JAMPRO’s regional manager. Jamaica’s national dish rated among best in the world From left: Brian Wallace, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United Nations; Alsion Wilson, OD, Jamaica’s consul general to New York; and Audley Shaw, minister of industry, investment, commerce, and with responsibility for agriculture and fisheries, at an investment luncheon at the Jamaican consulate, New York. CONTRIBUTED THE WE KLY GLEANER | NOVEMBER 4 - 3