Logistics Hub

Expo 2020 Dubai opened its doors to the world on October 1, 2021, and after a spectacular six-month extravaganza that saw 20 million visitors enjoy its various sights, pavilions, and shows, will draw to a close on March 31. The unprecedented number of visitors proved once again that the UAE is the hub of world-class tourism and business, setting a new benchmark for future mega events. “When we started this journey in 2013, and even before then as we prepared the bid for Expo 2020 Dubai, we had a dream to welcome the world to Dubai and the UAE for an unprecedented global gathering that would live long in hearts and minds,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of the Expo’s Higher Committee, had said. “That we have fulfilled this dream is already beyond doubt, but to achieve such a landmark number of visits is true testament to how the world has responded to what we have worked so long and hard to create.” Pavilions from across the world showcasing the best each country has to offer have been a big hit among visitors, with various shows from celebrities, movie stars and music greats keeping visitors coming back for more. A number of sports stars have visited the Expo 2020 Dubai site over the past six months, from football icons like Cristiano Rolando and Lionel Messi to tennis great Novak Djokovic and Formula One star Lewis Hamilton. During his visit, Ronaldo thanked his fans for providing him motivation to continue pushing for excellence. “So you guys, you are my motivation to carry on, to play football,” Ronaldo said. “Because without you guys, football will be less. We are guided by the fans. The motivation, the love makes me feel so proud. I don’t have words to express myself more than that.” Hamilton, meanwhile, revealed at Expo 2020 Dubai that he plans to change his name in honour of his mother. “I’m also about to put my mum’s name in my name. I want my mum’s name to continue with the Hamilton name, so soon we will see that,” he revealed. Also, Jamaica’s sprint king Usain Bolt took part in a 1.45-kilometre family run to raise funds for Al Noor Rehabilitation and Welfare Association for People of Determination during his visit to the Expo site. All sports stars who have visited Expo 2020 Dubai can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device. Source: https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2022/03/24/ronaldo-messi-djokovic-bolt-and-other-stars-who-visited-expo-2020-dubai-in-pictures/

Dubai: Dubai is pivoting to Latin America to enhance its food security and bolster trade with the region. “As Dubai works towards its target – boosting foreign trade to $544 billion within the next five years – Latin America will be a key focus for our ambitious strategy,” said Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber. “Food imports from Latin America are a major contributor. The emirate continues to build partnerships with this region to enhance food security and serve as an export hub.” Food security in the Middle East and North Africa remains a constant challenge. According to World Bank data, the region’s share of the world’s ‘acutely food insecure people’ is 20 per cent, disproportionately high compared to its 6 per cent share of the global population. A potential deepening of trade ties with the Latin America region – one of the world’s biggest exporters of food and raw materials – will be highly beneficial to UAE’s economy as well. Bilateral trade saw an increase in the period before the pandemic, with imports rising sharply between 2017-19 to $17.2 million in 2019. Imports consisted mainly of primary commodities such as gold, meat, iron ore, grains, sugar and coffee. “Looking at the latest economic indicators, you can see just how far Dubai and the Latin American markets have come in developing and expanding their business ties,” said Al Ghurair. The GCC countries import iron ore from Latin America, which accounts for 9 per cent of total imports from the continent. This material is used to make aluminium products, which are then exported back to Latin America. Dubai’s imports from Latin America have been well above $6 billion between 2018-20, while that for the first-nine months of 2021 stood at $4.8 billion. Export from Dubai to Latin America stood at $687 million between January and September last year, thus exceeding the total export to the full 2020 period. Talking at the Global Business Forum LatAm, Al Ghurair said, “This is a sign that more companies in the UAE are tapping into trade opportunities across Latin America with the vast majority targeting Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile. The 27 countries in the Latin America and Caribbean regions offer a wealth of untapped potential, and has the Pacific Alliance, regional economic integration and reforms, and COVID-led digital acceleration to create a new growth prospective.” Unlocking economic potential Dubai holds the key to unlocking the Latin American economic potential, said Al Ghurair. Dubai can offer valuable expertise in key sectors such as logistics infrastructure, retail, tourism, and finance. “Dubai provides a vast competitive advantage, such as 100 per cent ownership, long-term residency, world-class infrastructure, attractive free zones and a wealth of new incentives, which have boosted its value proposition among foreign investor and companies around the world.” Almost 400 Latin American companies are registered with the Dubai Chambers. Source: https://gulfnews.com/business/dubai-looks-to-latin-america-to-bolster-its-food-security-further-1.86659807

Jamaica celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday, hosting a lively performance that showcased its strong music heritage, centring around reggae. The event highlighted the country’s standing as a growing maritime hub that offers immense investment opportunities, according to a press release. Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai; and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner-General Office, welcomed Senator Hon Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Accompanying the Jamaican Minister were Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board; and Diane Edwards, President, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). Al-Ali said, “Jamaica’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai highlights the significant influence that the country has had on the world through music, culture and sport, while also showcasing Jamaica as a strategic global logistics hub and an ideal destination for business, tourism and investments. “We are proud of the prospering relations we share with Jamaica and aim to explore new collaborations in areas of common interest, such as logistics, maritime activities and cultural cooperation, to build bridges between our people and ensure their collective well-being.” Smith, the minister, said, “We came to this Expo with the overarching objectives of deepening the strong ties and enduring bilateral relationship with the UAE, building on dynamic cultural exchanges, exploring and capitalising on new potential tourism, trade and investment opportunities and, of course, enhancing engagements with our growing diaspora in the Middle East. “Jamaica has proven to be a prime location for good long-term investments. We are geographically and strategically located on the main aviation trade routes between North and South America with a large maritime space. And logistically, we connect Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. The opportunities practically present themselves.” A group representing various cultural areas from Jamaica came together for a performance at Al Wasl Plaza, taking visitors on a journey to the island’s roots of rock and reggae, while celebrating the rhythm and movement of Jamaica. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and Bartlett were present as the first Global Tourism Resilience Day was launched at Expo 2020 Dubai on 17th February, to help the industry find ways to recover from damaging events, while being better prepared for them in the future. Situated in the Mobility District, the shipping container-shaped Jamaica Pavilion showcases the spirit of a spontaneous street party, allowing Expo 2020 Dubai visitors to feel the “riddim” that moves and connects the world. From the country’s extraordinary Blue Mountain Coffee – the most expensive coffee in the world – to its iconic musicians, artists and producers, the pavilion offers a taste of the Caribbean island-state’s iconic culture.   Source: https://www.sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2022/02/19/Jamaica-celebrates-its-National-Day-at-Expo-2020-Dubai

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity between the UAE and Jamaica at Expo 2020 Dubai. The MoU was signed by Dr. Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, and Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity at the UAE Government. After the signing, Sheikh Abdullah met with Dr. Johnson-Smith to discuss the bilateral ties between the two friendly countries, boosting their overall cooperation, and issues of mutual concern and regional and international developments. Sheikh Abdullah welcomed Dr. Johnson-Smith and highlighted the distinguished relations between the two countries and their keenness to enhance them in all areas. Dr. Johnson-Smith highlighted Jamaica’s keenness to strengthen its cooperation and friendship with the UAE, lauding the regional and international stature of the country. She also praised the organisation of Expo 2020 Dubai, which is hosting nearly 192 countries. The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.   Source: https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2022/2/17/17-02-2022-uae-mou

Jamaica celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai today (18 February) by underlining its standing as a growing maritime hub that offers immense investment opportunities, as well as hosting a lively performance that showcased its strong music heritage, centring around reggae. Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner General Office, welcomed Her Excellency Senator Hon Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, accompanied by His Excellency Hon Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Her Excellency Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board; and Diane Edwards, President, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali said: “Jamaica’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai highlights the significant influence that the country has had on the world through music, culture and sport, while also showcasing Jamaica as a strategic global logistics hub and an ideal destination for business, tourism and investments. “We are proud of the prospering relations we share with Jamaica, and aim to explore new frameworks for further collaboration in areas of common interest, such as logistics, maritime activities and cultural cooperation, with the purpose of building bridges between our people and ensuring their collective well-being.” HE Senator Hon Kamina Johnson Smith said: “We came to this Expo with the overarching objectives of deepening the strong ties and enduring bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates, building on dynamic cultural exchanges, exploring and capitalising on new potential tourism, trade and investment opportunities and, of course, enhancing engagements with our growing diaspora in the Middle East. “Jamaica has proven to be a prime location for good long-term investments. With a large maritime space, we are geographically and strategically located on the main aviation trade routes between North and South America. And logistically we connect Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. The opportunities practically present themselves.” A group representing various cultural areas from Jamaica came together for a performance at Al Wasl Plaza, taking visitors on a journey to the island’s roots of rock and reggae, while celebrating the rhythm and movement of Jamaica. Among them was a cadre of professional dancers; reggae artist Abijah; the melodic sounds of singers Sherieta Lewis and Sevana; and renowned trumpeter and singer Dwight Richards. The singers rounded off the show with a spirited rendition of Bob Marley’s big hit Three Little Birds, perhaps best known for its iconic line: “Every little thing is gonna be alright.” Richards is also set to perform his iconic reggae sounds later today at Al Wasl Plaza. With three albums to his name, Richards can also be heard on songs by Lauryn Hill, Tarrus Riley, Stephen Marley, Toots Hibbert, UB40 and Aswad. His Excellency Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and HE Hon Bartlett were present as the first Global Tourism Resilience Day was launched at Expo 2020 Dubai yesterday (17 February), to help the industry find ways to recover from damaging events, while being better prepared for them in the future. Situated in the Mobility District, the shipping container-shaped Jamaica Pavilion showcases the spirit of a spontaneous street party, allowing Expo 2020 Dubai visitors to feel the “riddim” that moves and connects the world. From the country’s extraordinary Blue Mountain Coffee – the most expensive coffee in the world – to its iconic musicians, artists and producers, the pavilion offers a taste of the Caribbean island-state’s iconic culture. National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming. Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 invites visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.   Source: https://www.biztoday.news/2022/02/18/jamaica-showcases-music-heritage-and-investment-%E2%80%8Eopportunities-at-expo-2020-dubai-national-day/

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity between the UAE and Jamaica at Expo 2020 Dubai. The MoU was signed by Dr Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, and Dr Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity at the UAE Government. After the signing, HH Sheikh Abdullah met with Dr Johnson-Smith to discuss the bilateral ties between the two friendly countries, boosting their overall cooperation, and issues of mutual concern and regional and international developments. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah welcomed Dr Johnson-Smith and highlighted the distinguished relations between the two countries and their keenness to enhance them in all areas. Dr Johnson-Smith highlighted Jamaica’s keenness to strengthen its cooperation and friendship with the UAE, lauding the regional and international stature of the country. She also praised the organisation of Expo 2020 Dubai, which is hosting nearly 192 countries. The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.   Source: https://gulftime.ae/uae-and-jamaica-sign-pact-on-cybersecurity/

Jamaica has been punching above its weight at World Expo 2020 Dubai, the six-month-long expo that got under way on October 1, 2021 and has seen an impressive 10 million visitors up to mid-January 2022. Taking advantage of its strategic location in the mobility area of the exposition grounds, Jamaica has attracted approximately one per cent of the total Expo visitors and made significant connections for business partnerships and investments into the country. With an average of 1,200 to 1,500 visitors per day, Commissioner General of Section, Jamaica Pavilion, at World Expo 2020 Dubai, Essie Gardner, highlighted to the Jamaica Information Service the factors that have contributed to the popularity of the Jamaica Pavilion. “We have Jamaicans in the Pavilion and that is a big deal, especially for non-Jamaicans who come and realise that we are speaking from a position of knowledge and ownership. That is a big plus and the fact that when you step into the Pavilion, you are hearing reggae music,” Gardner noted. “When people step into the Pavilion they go ‘ah, this is it. We are in the Caribbean’. From the colours to the fact that they get a little bit about our history, and our sporting greats. They get a little bit of our music and tastings from time to time and we offer samples of Blue Mountain Coffee every day, and that is a big hit.” Jamaican cultural heritage on display in Zone 3 of the Jamaica Pavilion at World Expo 2020 Dubai. The event will be held from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Along with daily samples of coffee, which is a considerable part of Emirati culture, the Jamaica Pavilion has formed a relationship with the Dubai-based Jamaican restaurant, Miss Lilly’s, to supply samples of jerked chicken and/or patties to the Pavilion visitors. Apart from the samples received in the Jamaica Pavilion, visitors are free to purchase the authentic Jamaican products available, such as ackee and hot sauces. The Head of the Jamaica Pavilion shares that there is a great demand for Jamaican products, so much so, that the team is organising another shipment of Jamaican products to Dubai. Visitors get to experience Jamaica’s rich musical history and global contribution in the field in Zone 5 of the Jamaica Pavillion at World Expo 2020, Dubai. The event will be held from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. The Jamaican delegation in Dubai comprises representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA). “We do have a couple of items and they are going like hot bread. Some things which we did not bring but which we get a lot of questions about are honey, jams and jellies. So, there is really significant interest in Jamaican products,” said Gardner. In addition to interest in purchasing Jamaican products, the Commissioner General said several connections have been made with countries that are interested in exploring investment and business relationships with Jamaica. The team from the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority plays a pivotal role in attracting business investments to Jamaica and is part of the Jamaica Pavilion team in Dubai. INTEREST IN JAMAICA “There is quite a bit of interest in Jamaica and we have started discussions. We have facilitated meetings between the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Manufacturers [and Exporters] Association. One of the meetings JSEZA had recently was with CMA-CGM, which operates in Jamaica mainly in the area of transhipment, to see whether they would be interested in expanding beyond that. They actually came back to the table with more things they would like to collaborate with Jamaica on, so, yes, there is very strong interest in Jamaica,” Gardner said. She noted that interest in Jamaica has also been expressed by companies from India, Poland and Malaysia. Some of the expressions of interest have been a result of the monthly fora hosted by the Jamaica Pavilion team on business and tourism. The JSEZA and JTB representatives lead the business and tourism fora, respectively. “The tourism fora target travel professionals. What we are doing is building a cadre of persons in this area who can sell vacations to Jamaica. We have pulled together members of the Jamaican Tourism fraternity who are willing to be part of packages. Dubai National Air Travel Agency is one of the largest tour operators in the Middle East and they are the ones that are packaging and selling Jamaica right now, so we are going through and training all their agents, so that they are able to sell Jamaica,” Gardner explained. “The Jamaican Middle East diaspora has been extremely supportive of the Jamaica Pavilion. They have helped to bring life into the Pavilion. They make it their business to come and support the team on the ground and we have volunteers as often as is possible.” Similarly, the business fora focus on doing business in Jamaica and share with participants information they would need to do so and why they should want to do business in Jamaica. These sessions, Gardner said, had “very strong engagement and amazing questions”. In all the activities undertaken at the Jamaica Pavilion, the delegation in Dubai has had great support from Jamaicans in the diaspora. This support comes in various forms, from volunteering in the Pavilion to supplying three members of the five-a-side Jamaican football team, which won its first match in the Expo’s football competition. “The Jamaican Middle East diaspora has been extremely supportive of the Jamaica Pavilion. They have helped to bring life into the Pavilion. They make it their business to come and support the team on the ground and we have volunteers as often as is possible. “They come in and do a jam session at times, for example, there is one Jamaican who enjoys playing music and he will come in on any given Friday evening and have a jam session or play dominoes,” Gardner said. JAMAICANS IN MIDDLE EAST

DUBAI, 17th February, 2022 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity between the UAE and Jamaica at Expo 2020 Dubai. The MoU was signed by Dr. Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, and Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity at the UAE Government. After the signing, Sheikh Abdullah met with Dr. Johnson-Smith to discuss the bilateral ties between the two friendly countries, boosting their overall cooperation, and issues of mutual concern and regional and international developments. Sheikh Abdullah welcomed Dr. Johnson-Smith and highlighted the distinguished relations between the two countries and their keenness to enhance them in all areas. Dr. Johnson-Smith highlighted Jamaica’s keenness to strengthen its cooperation and friendship with the UAE, lauding the regional and international stature of the country. She also praised the organisation of Expo 2020 Dubai, which is hosting nearly 192 countries. The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.   Source: http://wam.ae/en/details/1395303021801

The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) is harnessing collaboration in hopes of taking the Jamaican culture and creative industry to the Middle East market. Representatives of JSEZA are in Dubai as part of the Jamaican delegation participating in the six-month World Expo 2020 Dubai, securing business, trade and investment opportunities for the country. JSEZA’s Manager, Business Facilitation and Acceleration Services, Kevon Farquharson, shares with JIS News that from students who participate in school tours of the Jamaica Pavilion to high-level officials and everyone in between, the Jamaican culture resonates with visitors. “Especially for the school tours, the history section and the cultural aspect of things are very important, and the kids appreciate it. Sometimes you will see a visitor come in and you are looking for them to move to another section and they just won’t move…we engage them, ask them a few questions and they [will say], ‘You guys are a small nation; you guys went through so much; you guys have this huge impact…you have the Bob Marley, the Usain Bolt, the Chris Gayle’,” discloses Mr. Faquharson. “Persons can tell you straight up about our culture, and even some of the influencers that come to the Pavilion, they want us to showcase specific parts of our culture because they know so much about it,” he continues. A noteworthy moment for the delegation was the visit of a high-level official who entered the Pavilion playing songs from Peter Tosh on his mobile device and throughout his tour. The 2021 release of No Time to Die, the latest in the James Bond series, which was filmed in Jamaica, has put a spotlight on the local creative industry. This, Mr. Farquharson said, has led to “our creatives being recognised when they [investors] look at our entertainment sector”. The creative industry is listed as one of the priority industries for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) operations in Jamaica. JSEZA, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MGCES), has identified avenues for Jamaica to benefit from the demand in the Middle East.   Director, Policy and Research for the Jamaica Creative Unit within the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, David Brown (left), takes students from a school in Dubai on a tour of the cultural zone inside the Jamaica Pavilion at World Expo 2020 Dubai. The information shared on Jamaica’s culture is well received by visitors to the Pavilion. Some visitors demonstrate extensive knowledge of the island.   JSEZA’s Senior Director, Regulations, Policy, Monitoring and Enforcement Ainsley Brown, highlighted the examples of an all-African e-commerce platform and Dubai’s All Africa Festival which could provide multi-faceted benefits for Jamaicans. “On their platform, there are already a few Jamaican products that we have seen but there is room for growth and this is a mechanism through which this market can be accessed…The All Africa Festival…is…another business opportunity, because…there’s opportunities for vending and showcasing of Jamaican made products, our cuisine, culture, artistes and all kinds of different things,” Mr. Brown details. The all-African e-commerce platform targets the African diaspora with their products while the All Africa Festival is a celebration of the continent and its diaspora which allows tourists and residents of Dubai to enjoy African cuisine and performances which have, in the past, included Jamaicans. Mr. Brown shares that the response to Jamaican pepper sauce, Blue Mountain coffee and candles from Blue Mountain Aromatics, all available inside the Jamaica Pavilion, is an indicator of the demand for Jamaican products. Similarly, JSEZA’s ‘Sustain-a-livity’ brand, which is a harmonious living philosophy developed through the awareness and expansion of workstyle, lifestyle and spiritual interests, has garnered interest from potential investors. “They instantly love it and eat it up. They [will say] ‘you guys are ahead of the game because you’ve clearly integrated sustainability within what you do’. From application reviews right down to facilitation of business, we integrated it in everything that we do,” explains Mr. Brown. Sustain-a-livity, which borrows concepts from Rastafarianism, which is endemic to Jamaican culture, sees JSEZA incorporating as many UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) into its operations as possible. The collaboration between the MGCES and JSEZA in making linkages between the cultural interest and opportunities in the Middle East and the resources based in Jamaica, embodies aspects of SDG 17. The Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority will continue to engage potential investors and business operators at World Expo 2020 Dubai until its end on March 31, 2022. Connections and contacts are being made and shared between manufacturers associations, chambers of commerce and the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

DUBAI, 19th February, 2022 (WAM) — Jamaica celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday, hosting a lively performance that showcased its strong music heritage, centring around reggae. The event highlighted the country’s standing as a growing maritime hub that offers immense investment opportunities, according to a press release. Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai; and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner-General Office, welcomed Senator Hon Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Accompanying the Jamaican Minister were Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board; and Diane Edwards, President, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). Al-Ali said, “Jamaica’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai highlights the significant influence that the country has had on the world through music, culture and sport, while also showcasing Jamaica as a strategic global logistics hub and an ideal destination for business, tourism and investments. “We are proud of the prospering relations we share with Jamaica and aim to explore new collaborations in areas of common interest, such as logistics, maritime activities and cultural cooperation, to build bridges between our people and ensure their collective well-being.” Smith, the minister, said, “We came to this Expo with the overarching objectives of deepening the strong ties and enduring bilateral relationship with the UAE, building on dynamic cultural exchanges, exploring and capitalising on new potential tourism, trade and investment opportunities and, of course, enhancing engagements with our growing diaspora in the Middle East. “Jamaica has proven to be a prime location for good long-term investments. We are geographically and strategically located on the main aviation trade routes between North and South America with a large maritime space. And logistically, we connect Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. The opportunities practically present themselves.” A group representing various cultural areas from Jamaica came together for a performance at Al Wasl Plaza, taking visitors on a journey to the island’s roots of rock and reggae, while celebrating the rhythm and movement of Jamaica. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and Bartlett were present as the first Global Tourism Resilience Day was launched at Expo 2020 Dubai on 17th February, to help the industry find ways to recover from damaging events, while being better prepared for them in the future. Situated in the Mobility District, the shipping container-shaped Jamaica Pavilion showcases the spirit of a spontaneous street party, allowing Expo 2020 Dubai visitors to feel the “riddim” that moves and connects the world. From the country’s extraordinary Blue Mountain Coffee – the most expensive coffee in the world – to its iconic musicians, artists and producers, the pavilion offers a taste of the Caribbean island-state’s iconic culture.   Source: http://wam.ae/en/details/1395303022364