PM Holness Meets With US Secretary Of State

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today met with the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to discuss opportunities for partnership, in making Jamaica an example of a thriving small island democracy within the region. The prime minister arrived in Washington DC on Tuesday March 29 for a five-day working visit.

According to PM Holness, he and Secretary Blinken agreed that Jamaica and the US have had a long and meaningful relationship spanning 60 years. He notes the Jamaican government will be using the channel of a working group to continue strategic dialogue examining proposals for impactful support to Jamaica’s development objectives.

According to Secretary Blinken this partnership will strengthen diplomatic relations. On Thursday the Prime Minister met with Congress Woman Maxine Waters and Yvette Clarke, who have been longstanding supporters of Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness and United States Vice President Kamala Harris met on Wednesday and explored key areas such as economic growth, national security, energy security and human capital development in which cooperation could be expanded between both countries. 

Vice President Harris had announced that 20 million US dollars would be invested to bolster Jamaica’s commerce, while an additional 10 million would go towards at risk youth. Prime Minister Holness will be the special guest at the ‘let’s connect with ambassador marks’ online town hall meeting where he’s expected to highlight the island’s development after 60 years of independence. 

Holness will also outline the efforts being made to facilitate expanded diaspora participation in the economy. While in Washington DC, Prime Minister Holness will also meet with embassy staff as well as members of the Jamaica Central Labour Organization, which oversees the US Farm-Work Programme.

The prime minister is expected to return to the island on April 3, 2022.