Promoting Investment and Trade between the United States, Jamaica and the Region
AMCHAM JAMAICA - The Jamaica Pegasus, 81 Knutsford Blvd - Kingston 5 Tel. (876) 929-7866 Fax. (876) 929-8597
AmCham Jamaica Logo and Branding Notice: The names "AmCham Jamaica" and "American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica" and the AmCham Jamaica logos (brand mark including symbol, AmCham logotype, Jamaica adjective and associated colors) are the exclusive property of AmCham Jamaica and may not be used for any purpose by any entity or individual without the express written permission of AmCham Jamaica. For further information contact: amcham@cwjamaica.com
Past Successes
AMCHAM-JAMAICA’S PREVIOUS LOBBYING EFFORTS IN WASHINGTON, DC. HAVE BENEFITED ITS MEMBERS AND JAMAICA IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
1. 
Prior to their departure to postings abroad, all U. S. Consul Generals are now requested by the U. S. State Department and Homeland Security to work closely with AMCHAM bodies located in each of the 100 countries around the world in the issuance of U.S. visas related to business travel. In Jamaica, our current success rate at guiding our members through this process is at an all-time high - 95%!
Prior to their departure to postings abroad, all U. S. Consul Generals are now requested by the U. S. State Department and Homeland Security to work closely with AMCHAM bodies located in each of the 100 countries around the world in the issuance of U.S. visas related to business travel. In Jamaica, our current success rate at guiding our members through this process is at an all-time high - 95%!2.In 2001, new U.S. Legislation was rushed through the U.S. Congress - in a record three months – which gave the USAID permission to fund “policing activities”— only in Jamaica. This resulted in the USAID facilitating the development of community policing in Grants Pen, which led to an unprecedented 13 months of no homicide or serious crime being committed in Grants Pen; the return of the delivery of goods and services to the community, resulting in Tropicair opening an outlet in the area and the discontinuation of guns shots which previously permeated the night air. Thereafter, Congress lifted the embargo on this type of funding, worldwide.
In 2001, new U.S. Legislation was rushed through the U.S. Congress - in a record three months – which gave the USAID permission to fund “policing activities”— only in Jamaica. This resulted in the USAID facilitating the development of community policing in Grants Pen, which led to an unprecedented 13 months of no homicide or serious crime being committed in Grants Pen; the return of the delivery of goods and services to the community, resulting in Tropicair opening an outlet in the area and the discontinuation of guns shots which previously permeated the night air. Thereafter, Congress lifted the embargo on this type of funding, worldwide.Current Focus of AMCHAM Jamaica’s Current U. S. Lobbying Agenda
In furthering our work to provide a more investor and business-friendly environment in Jamaica for both local and foreign investment, and building on the recent highly successful visit of an AMCHAM delegation to Washington, D. C., many of our activities our continuing efforts to meet with the OBAMA’s Administration Officials, National Security Council Members of Congress will now include efforts to achieve goals such as the following:
a.Pre-clearance of goods and people for Jamaica
Pre-clearance of goods and people for Jamaicab.Encourage and identify opportunities for Jamaica’s recently-expanded port as the “hub” for distribution of goods to the Region; development assistance in areas of agriculture; infrastructure; seeking joint venture and new trading partners for Jamaican goods and services
Encourage and identify opportunities for Jamaica’s recently-expanded port as the “hub” for distribution of goods to the Region; development assistance in areas of agriculture; infrastructure; seeking joint venture and new trading partners for Jamaican goods and servicesc.On Behalf of the Prime Minister, AMCHAM met with U. S. State Dept.; Millennium Challenge Corp.; & Congress:
On Behalf of the Prime Minister, AMCHAM met with U. S. State Dept.; Millennium Challenge Corp.; & Congress:i. Jamaica’s ascension to the Millennium Challenge Fund through development of a new category for “Highly Indebted Middle Income Countries”, as well as presentation of additional information which the private sector feels is relevant and should be considered, when evaluating Jamaica’s ability to access millions of US$ for assistance with infrastructure, education, and other key areas of national economic development.
Jamaica’s ascension to the Millennium Challenge Fund through development of a new category for “Highly Indebted Middle Income Countries”, as well as presentation of additional information which the private sector feels is relevant and should be considered, when evaluating Jamaica’s ability to access millions of US$ for assistance with infrastructure, education, and other key areas of national economic development.ii.Offer the support of the Private Sector toward the Prime Minister’s requests to President Barack Obama and Sec. of State Hilary Clinton re: Particular and Critical requests in matters of Jamaica’s national security. Since our 2009 visit to Washington DC, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) has been developed and addresses some of our key concerns. The link to Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rt/cbsi/
Offer the support of the Private Sector toward the Prime Minister’s requests to President Barack Obama and Sec. of State Hilary Clinton re: Particular and Critical requests in matters of Jamaica’s national security. Since our 2009 visit to Washington DC, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) has been developed and addresses some of our key concerns. The link to Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rt/cbsi/iii.Our Immediate Past-President H.E. Audrey Marks has taken up her new Post as Jamaica’s first Female Ambassador to Washington!
Our Immediate Past-President H.E. Audrey Marks has taken up her new Post as Jamaica’s first Female Ambassador to Washington!Is there U.S. legislation that is hampering your business?
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