February 14, 2022

The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) has been planting seeds of interest in Jamaica, through its ‘Jamaica Connects’ business forums at World Expo 2020 Dubai. JSEZA’s Senior Director, Regulations, Policy, Monitoring and Enforcement, Ainsley Brown, and Manager, Business Facilitation and Acceleration Services, Kevon Farquharson, are two members of the Jamaican delegation in Dubai for the global event and are the hosts of the Jamaica Connects business forums. Mr. Brown shared that their approach to presenting Jamaica as a place for trade and investments has been receiving positive feedback from all forum participants. “Overall, what we have heard is ‘Wow. I didn’t know Jamaica was doing this’, or ‘I didn’t know this about Jamaica’. Because we have a certain framework in which we frame our presentations where we start with ‘why’ – why should people invest in Jamaica? You have to answer that straight away and then we leave the ‘what’ for last,” he said. “And so we follow that basic framework with some modification. And then when you get to that, you’ve brought them in, you’ve already touched the heartstrings. Then we move them to ‘how do I invest in Jamaica?’ or ‘how do I trade with Jamaica’?” the Senior Director told JIS News. The presentation framework is borrowed from Simon Sinek, in which you start a pitch with stating the ‘why’ first to heighten interest and buy-in. The JSEZA team has been leading the business forums held by the Jamaica Pavilion at World Expo 2020 Dubai. There have, so far, been three forums, which covered the topics of business opportunities in logistics; environmental, social and governance investing in Jamaica; and business acceleration through special economic zones. “One of the things that we do when we give each presentation, we always put a question in there, and that is, ‘what can Jamaica do for you?’ The answer to that is ‘whole heap’ to put it in Jamaican terms. What we’re getting is, one, we want to buy Jamaican products and get them into this market, and two, we see Jamaica as a springboard to access other markets,” Mr. Brown said. Creating the linkages between Jamaica’s prime location for becoming a logistics hub connecting businesses to the Caribbean and American markets, along with the rich agrarian society, access to natural energy sources and the business support services offered through the JSEZA, have been used to portray a Jamaica of more than sun, sea and sand to attract investments and trade interests. The forum participants hail from countries such as Malaysia, India, Poland, United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, Slovakia, Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. There has even been participant representation from the Caribbean. For his part, Mr. Farquharson shared that the participants represent a cross-section of fields ranging from education and consultancy to pharmaceutical and environmental protection. The information shared through the Jamaica Connects business forums has garnered multiple expressions of interest in doing business in Jamaica. “We have a lot of interest that spreads across all industries, moving from the agro-processing industry to the logistics industry, and knowledge process outsourcing as well. We have persons that are a part of pharmaceutical companies that are interested in setting up shop in Jamaica as well as doing research with Jamaica. There is interest stemming from the agro-processing side of things where persons are interested in the cannabis industry, particularly the CBD oil, and persons are interested in our spices,” shared Mr. Farquharson. The team in Dubai has already made connections with business operators to expand their work and presence in the island and have made connections with others for symbiotic relationships in which local waste or environmentally harmful commodities such as sargassum are the raw material used by these companies in their operations. The Jamaican delegation remains in Dubai until the end of World Expo 2020 on March 31,2022 and will continue to host business forums and facilitate meetings with businesses and individuals interested in trading with and investing in Jamaica. The team has already facilitated meetings between business entities or organisations in the Middle East and their counterparts in Jamaica. The next Jamaica Connects business forum is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16.   Source: https://jis.gov.jm/jseza-hosts-business-forums-at-world-expo-in-dubai/

Global Goals Show at Dubai World Expo makes collective push for an enhanced and more fair future for all by 2030 By Rupali Dean A Global Goals Week at World Expo 2020 Dubai brought the realm together to push collective development towards UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for an enhanced and more fair future for all by 2030. Vibrant projections and a dialogue by the UN Deputy Secretary-General at Al Wasl Plaza, the core of Expo 2020 Dubai, marked the lead of the Global Goals Week ended Jan 22 – the yearly event’s opening time leaving the UN General Assembly in New York City. Kande, a British born Jamaican student, now living in the UAE, released her first novel, ‘Going Home: Diary of a Teenage Alien,’ last November, which is already making headlines. She was the freshest of all the other flag bearers that included top CEOs at the inaugural ritual and was the flag bearer for the 14th Goal: Life Below Water. United evolution for the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals strengthens Expo’s newest Theme Week, held in link with the UN. The Jamaica Pavilion during SDG Week marked and celebrated the Global Goals by endorsing a distinctive Jamaican concept of Sustain-a-Livity. Sustain-a-Livity is an select Jamaican notion incorporated by the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority that syndicates two words: Sustainable and Livity. Sustainable: Congregating the needs of the present without negotiating the aptitude of upcoming generations to gather their needs. Livity: Is the Rastafari conception of virtuous living. Its essence is the understanding that an energy, or life force, bestowed by Jah (God), endures within, and streams through, all peoples and all existing things. Livity has a resilient focus on existing a natural regime. “Tourism is one of the chief stimuluses of the SDGs. Our Countrywide Development Plan – Vision 2030 goals to encourage ecological tourism in Jamaica,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism of Jamaica. “It is intended not just to profit the country’s tourism industry, but also reserve its regular and edifying resources and kindle commercial growth for the broader domestic economy,” he added. Ainsley Brown, Senior Director, Regulations, Policy, Monitoring & Enforcement at JSEZA stated, “Sustain-a-Livity is more than just a perception; it’s a sustainable way of existence that makes, as our National Development Plan – Vision 2030 says: Jamaica, top-notch place to do business, work, live and raise families.” (Rupali Dean is a noted food and travel writer based out of India)   Source: https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2022/01/29/sustain-a-livity-celebrating-un-development-goals-the-jamaican-way-448490/

Living rainforests, vertical farms, augmented reality and more With 192 countries taking part, how do you choose the best country pavilions to visit at Expo 2020 Dubai and each pavilion telling a different story, visitors to Expo 2020 have the world at their fingertips. Now that the huge event is well underway, we’ve visited, and visited again, and decided upon a few of our firm favourite attractions. To get you just as pumped as we are, we’ve rounded up some of the best pavilions on offer. From learning about sustainability through an aquatic treasure hunt to using augmented reality to make your walk wonderful, these are some of the truly unmissable Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions. Visiting Expo Dubai has never been better value. Click here for the latest deals Always wanted to see superstars Coldplay perform? For free? Well, you can at Expo. Click here for more Read on for the best country pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai. Belgium The Belgian pavilion has certainly lived up to its reputation of being the powerhouse of European mobility. With a 500 square meter exhibition offering visitors an insight into Belgian innovation as well as a kiosk of Belgian delicacies, the pavilion is sure to be one to watch for the duration of the Expo. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned the lush Green Arch exterior that champions biomimicry, a concept whereby solutions to modern day issues are modelled on nature. Cuba Rumba music. Vintage cars. Sensational beaches. Cuba is known for lots of things, and one of our favourites is a certain mixed drink that has made its way onto bar menus across the globe. Head to the Cuban pavilion at Expo 2020 and you’ll be able to try a mocktail version of the sweet, minty beverage while you learn about the history of the sugar cane capital of the world through a collaborative game. Once you’re refreshed and well-versed in Cuban history, you’ll also get to learn to dance the nation’s iconic cha-cha-cha in an enlivening true South American experience. Egypt Egypt: home to one of the world’s greatest wonders but far more than a bucket-list destination. Indeed, from its rich history and ancient wonders to its modern feats of architecture (the Grand Egyptian Museum looks like a collosus and we can’t wait to visit when it opens next year) Egypt has also attracted curious travellers with a sense of adventure. So it stands to reason that the Egypt Pavilion at Expo 2020 would do the same. An intriguing blend of ancient and modern, The Egypt Pavilion is a journey back in time and to the future at the same time. Made with over 10kg of solid gold and precious stones, the replica of the iconic golden mask of Egyptian King Tutankhamun is a must-see, while you don’t want to miss the three replica coffins that would have housed the boy king. A series of interactive displays also demonstrate the country’s technological and economic growth, while a virtual tour guide keeps visitors occupied and asking for more. Short of the relocating the pyramids, this is an authentic taste of the new Egypt. Hungary Enormous ball pit. Need we say any more? Kids and big kids alike will want to ensure they visit the Hungary Pavilion to dive right into the huge pit of balls, which serves as its main focal point. Also known as the Land of Waters with more than 1,300 thermal springs, the pavilion aims to demonstrate Hungary’s deep-rooted relationship with water. Just as impressive is the pavilion’s exterior which features a double-shelled timber structure designed by famous Hungarian architect, Imre Makovecz. India You won’t want to miss out on India’s epic, four-floor pavilion during your visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. It showcases the best of what India has to offer, with a mix of themes including Ayurveda, yoga, a space programme, and its rapidly-expanding US$ 2.5 trillion economy. You’ll get the chance to learn about both India’s legacy and future and the possibilities that having a 1.3 billion-strong population brings. Expect film shows, conferences, cuisines and daily cultural performances at this unmissable pavilion. Jamaica Shipping containers take the centre stage at Jamaica’s spontaneous street party-style pavilion. Wander around and you’ll come face to face with some of the nation’s greatest sports persons as you learn their stories and revel in the country’s rich art and history, all while enjoying some true Jamaican coffee. Inside the music studio, you can have a listen to some of the Caribbean island’s most important artists – including Bob Marley. This place is Jamaican us crazy. Luxembourg Easily one of Expo’s most visually appealing pavilions, Luxembourg’s space is designed to mirror their ideas of openness, taking the shape of an Möbius ribbon, an infinite form. And get this: within the exhibit, if you aren’t in the mood to go down a flight of stairs, you take a slide that sends you straight to the pavilion’s ground floor. In fact, it’s the only pavilion offering this brilliant alternative to merely walking down the stairs, and we love the innovation. Monaco Science is something that each pavilion encompasses in one way or another, and in the case of Monaco, the tiny country has made use of a kaleidoscope to explore the rich history of Monacan art, culture and innovation. Just by looking around, visitors can go on a Grand Prix of Monacan history. To learn more about the natural side of things, you can visit the pavilion’s ‘Garden of Opportunities’ and immerse yourself in the country’s sunny climate and what that means for the Expo’s opportunity sector. Saudi Arabia The Saudi Arabian pavilion is the second-largest at Expo 2020 Dubai and is packed with things to see and do. The pavilion provides an insight into a shared future with the Kingdom, demonstrating its four main pillars comprising ambition, including people, nature, heritage and opportunities. The striking design of the pavilion has been created with sustainability in mind and is LEED Platinum Certified (a green rating system). You might also like: Clued up on Expo 2020 Dubai? Here is

The Jamaican delegation at World Expo 2020 Dubai will celebrate National Day with six days of activities starting February 14. The National Day celebration is one of the most prominent moments in any nation’s programme of activities during the six-month-long Expo. Jamaica’s National Day is Friday, February 18. “Several ministries, departments and agencies have collaborated to bring together a cohesive programme, which we feel sure will leave a lasting and positive impression,” said Commissioner General of the Jamaica Pavilion at World Expo 2020 Dubai, Essie Gardner. She said that the Jamaica National Day celebrations will begin with a flag-raising ceremony and playing of the National Anthem at the Stage of Nations in the Al Wasl Dome. This will be followed by a cultural performance coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, including a public concert within the Al Wasl Dome. Music and entertainment will be a central feature of the National Day celebrations with multiple pop-dance presentations, Ms. Gardner said. The launch of the first-ever Global Tourism Resilience Day by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will also form part of the activities. In addition to the cultural performances and concerts, the Jamaican delegation in Dubai will also be engaged in bilateral meetings and will stage exhibits and fora for Expo visitors. Visitors to the Jamaican Pavilion will get the opportunity to win prizes throughout the six days of activities and indulge in Jamaican cuisine such as ackee and saltfish and jerked chicken. Jamaicans in the diaspora and at home can view the celebrations on the JIS YouTube channel and on Expo TV at www.expo2020dubai.com/en/news/expo-tv on February 18.   Source: https://jis.gov.jm/jamaica-to-observe-national-day-at-world-expo-2020-dubai/