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Re?ORT ON MEETING BETWEEN HIGH COMMISSIONER
RAYMOND WOLFE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
MINISTRIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND
INDUSTRY AND TRADE, QUEBEC CITY -1999 OCT. 4
Present were:
Jamaican Side
H.E. Raymond Wolfe -
Mrs. Terri-Ann Priel
Canadian Side
Mr. Guy Beaudoin
Mr. Gaston Jacques
Mr. Gabriel Polissois -
Mr. Leonce Bouchard -
High Commissioner, JHC, Ottawa
Second Secretary, JHC
Director, Latin America and the
Caribbean, Ministry of Industry and Trade
(MIT)
Head, Caribbean Section, MIT
Director, Latin America and the
Caribbean, Minister of International
Relations (MIR)
Head, Central America and Caribbean
Section, MIR
The meeting began with the High Commissioner giving a brief overview
of the current political, social and economic situation in Jamaica. The High
Commissioner spoke of the breakdown of responsibilities between the central
and local government branches. He advised that Jamaica has a long and
unbroken tradition of parliamentary democracy, with the current government
in its third term, a politically stable economy with a relatively low rate of
inflation and an exchange rate which is market determined.
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The High Commissioner also advised that the government has been
restructuring the financial sector, intervening in banking institutions which
required support. He added that owing to the current financial crisis affecting
a number of indigenous financial institutions, depositors were displaying more
confidence in foreign owned banks. Consequently the two Canadian Banks,
Bank of Nova Scotia and CIBC have been doing solid business and are
currently the most profitable financial institutions.
He advised that currently Jamaica's population is 2.6 million with an
average birthrate of three children per woman .... a decline from five or six per
woman several years ago. Mr. Beaudoin added that this was quite unlike
Quebec whose current birthrate is only 1.3 children per woman.
Mr. Beaudoin asked about race relations in Jamaica and the High
Commissioner advised that race was not the defining characteristic of the
divisions in the society but these were class distinctions which were based on
economic well-being. He also advised that there is a discernable middle class
which included many black Jamaicans adding that there are many factors
which contribute to upward social mobility such as higher levels of education
and proficiency in music and sports which created economic opportunities for
the youths in inner-city areas.
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Mr. Bouchard asked about Jamaica's heroes and mentioned that
recently a "Park of the Americas" where monuments of heroes of the
Americas would be erected, was opened in Quebec. He advised that to date,
they had received monuments of Simon Bolivar of Venezuela and Jose Marti
of Cuba and added that he would prefer if the third monument came from
Jamaica.
On the Arts and Entertainment industry, the High Commissioner stated
that Reggae, Jamaica's popular music, continues to capture the imagination
of the world. He gave a history of reggae noting that its roots of mento, ska,
beebop and afro Cuban rhythms. He spoke about the music produced and
played by Jamaican bands and DJs indicating that in addition to reggae, they
showcase soca , dance hall rhythms and a blend of the two, which has a wide
appeal around the Caribbean. Mr. Beaudoin expressed his amazement at the
fact that Bob Marley's music has maintained its popularity even so long after
his death. The High Commissioner added that Marley's songs are still being
produced and continue to attract many tourists.
The High Commissioner also pointed out that the soundtracks of many
films use reggae artistes based in the United States in order to increase the
films' popularity. Jamaica , he said, has the most and best sound recording
studios per capita in the Caribbean. He advised that Jamaican musicians
currently have to go to Miami to do remixing as that is the cheapest
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alternative. Consequently, the music industry is in the process of establishing
a major CD manufacturing plant in Jamaica.
He remarked that Jamaica has taken note of Quebec's leading role in
the Canadian film industry with Hollywood doing thriving business in the
province and mentioned that the expertise of the relevant Quebec
organizations would be of benefit to Jamaica which could create a number of
jobs.
The Jamerican Film and Music Festival being promoted by JAMPRO,
scheduled for 1999 November 17-21 in Montego Bay was then discussed.
The High Commissioner outlined the importance of this event and noted that
it would be the first of its kind in Jamaica. He encouraged the group to attend
and promised to forward other details (travel and otherwise) on the event.
The High Commissioner mentioned that he is very interested in the
enhancement of not only trade but also cultural relations with Canada and
spoke of the success of the 1999 August tour to Canada of the National Dance
Theatre Company of Jamaica. He noted that ALCAN, an influential Canadian
Company, headquartered in Quebec (Montreal), was a major sponsor of the
event. He expressed the belief that culture and the performing arts should be
a major feature in bilateral cooperation between Canada and Jamaica, adding
that he is looking at the possibility of bringing an exhibition of Jamaican art to
Canada and perhaps a repeat performance of the NDTC.
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To Mr. Beaudoin's question about official foreign languages in Jamaica,
the High Commissioner advised that both French and Spanish are taught in
schools and that the UWI is in the process of establishing a Department of
Oriental Studies. He noted that Spanish is more frequently used due to
Jamaica's proximity to Latin America and informed that Alliance Franc;aise is
very active in Jamaica. Mr. Beaudoin questioned the reason for the use of
French and was told that France is one of Jamaica's major European trading
partners and that the present French Government has decided to reopen their
Embassy in Kingston which was closed in 1996.
High Commissioner also enquired whether there were any French
companies in Jamaica and was told that there are none, however the meeting
was advised that the aluminium corporations operating in Jamaica included
ALCOA, ALPART and ALCAN: one of Jamaica's premier corporate partners.
He explained that gypsum, limestone and bauxite are mined. With regard
to ALCAN's operations, he pointed out that bauxite ore was processed into
alumina and then exported to Quebec as Jamaica does not have the facility
to produce aluminium.
He also advised that our main exports are sugar, rum and bananas.
Our major trading partners are the USA , the EU and Canada. The UK , he
explained, is still an influential trading partner as most of Jamaica's traditional
exports go to that country.
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The High Commissioner informed that Jamaica has a friendly investment
climate and that its proximity to North America, makes it an attractive
investment destination. He informed of the Airport hub in Montego Bay that
offers connections to all cities in the Caribbean, facilitating travel between
North America, Europe and most Caribbean destinations.
High Commissioner Wolfe also spoke on the development thrust for
Jamaica, making mention of the Prime Minister's recent statement on
information technology and the agreement between Cable and Wireless and
the GOJ to establish a more liberalized telecommunications sector
(wireless/cellular phones in particular). He mentioned that Jamaica is currently
seeking investments in the telecommunications sector and informed of the
existence of the digiport in Montego Bay with facilities for data processing.
The High Commissioner further mentioned that Jamaica is still in need
of assistance particularly in the area of technology transfers and human
resource development, which would create opportunities for expansion of the
economy.
On Tourism, the High Commissioner told the meeting that Jamaica's
tourism product is of first class quality and that tourism earnings have
surpassed those from bauxite and alumina. He opined that regardless of the
fact that Cuba's tourism product is cheaper, this does not affect tourism in
Jamaica as both countries complement each other particularly through the
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offer of multi-destination tourism routes. He assured the Canadians that he
would be happy to facilitate their travel to Jamaica, through the office of the
Honorary Consul in Montreal.
Touching on the issue of Youth development, High Commissioner Wolfe
mentioned a number of government programmes aimed at youth assistance
including:
(1) Education and training - HEART/Trust NTA
(2) Poverty Alleviation
(3) Employment Assistance Programmes
These Programmes were designed to provide technical and vocational
training for the Jamaican youths and to facilitate their full integration into the
wider society, he said.
On the Moncton Declaration which emerged out of the Francophonie
Summit, Mr. Pollissois advised that the Quebec Government is very interested
in pursuing youth exchanges in the areas of education, culture and sports and
that currently, Quebec's priority is the Caribbean. The High Commissioner
confirmed that Jamaica was keenly interested in such exchanges particularly
in the area of sports and mentioned that this could be facilitated through home
stay programmes which would include some form of Canadian sponsorship.
Mr. Polissois further advised that his government is working very hard on the
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youth exchange projects and indicated that, in a matter of months, these
projects could be a reality.
Mr. Bouchard then enquired as to whether there was a market in
Jamaica for tele-education as this was another area of interest for Quebec in
addition to hotel/tourism training. The High Commission indicated that he
would seek information from the authorities in Jamaica about the possibility of
cooperation in this area.
The question was also raised as to whether Jamaica had agreements
with other provinces on youth exchanges and the High Commissioner
informed that there are university exchanges between both countries. The
High Commissioner was informed that the possibility for youth exchanges
between Quebec and Jamaica could only be pursued under the umbrella of a
cooperation agreement concluded by both parties. He then requested a draft
agreement for consideration by the relevant government departments.
Concerning co-operation in Housing construction, High Commissioner
Wolfe advised of potential interest by Jamaica in assistance in this area,
noting that he was aware of Canadian companies who specialize in
prefabricated construction. He indicated that all housing construction
proposals would have to meet environmental assessment requirements and
advised that information on specific areas of interest will be obtained from the
Ministry of Housing and sent to Quebec.
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The High Commissioner also confirmed that the environment is another
important area of bilateral cooperation and mentioned the existence of the
ongoing CIDA project "Trees for Tomorrow".
Referring to the Prime Minister's meeting with Mr Landry, the High
Commissioner pointed out that the issue of hydro-generated power was
discussed, but it had been clarified that this would not be economically feasible
in Jamaica. He indicated that the delivery of electricity by the Jamaica Public
Service Company has improved significantly and that there is an increased
generator capacity. It was recalled however that the two sides had agreed in
principle that the proposed joint delegation to Jamaica could include experts
who would undertake an assessment of Jamaica's energy needs.
He was advised that this would fall under the portfolio of Hydro Quebec
International.
Also as a follow-up to the bilateral discussions held during Prime Minister
Patterson's visit in June, the High Commissioner stressed that Jamaica is
most anxious to develop trade and other relations with Quebec and to that
end, he suggested that the proposed delegation's visit to Jamaica should take
place by year's end so that the momentum would not be lost.
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Mr. Beaudoin confirmed that it would not be difficult to arrange for a
group of 3-4 persons from the sectors of Energy, International Trade,
Environment and Construction to visit Jamaica. However, in order to get
everything in place, he proposed that February 2000 would be a more
realistic time. The High Commissioner agreed and indicated that this would
allow for more time to gather relevant information. It was further proposed
that an initial meeting be scheduled with this group during the Americas
Business Forum meeting in Toronto, in order to finalize the arrangement plans
for the team's visit. The High Commissioner agreed that this would be useful
and that he would check to confirm whether the Jamaican private sector
would be attending the ABF meeting.
Jamaican High Commission
Ottawa
1999 October 15 UWI LIBRARIES
