Jamaica to strengthen ties with Britain even as it exits EU

The Jamaican government is pledging to strengthen its partnership with Britain even as it prepares to part company with the 28-nation European bloc.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Dr Horace Chang, says the former colony remains keenly committed to strengthening the ties of trade and friendly relations established with the United Kingdom (UK) centuries ago.

He was addressing the ‘Jamaica Going Global: UK Partners and You’ business forum, which was staged by the British High Commission at the Hilton Resort and Spa in Montego Bay recently. 

The forum was the first in a series of discussions on strengthening international trade between Jamaica and the UK, and to provide insights on how Jamaican firms can do business there.

Chang's pronouncement came just about the same time as the British government affirmed its commitment to maintaining trade agreements with Jamaica under the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement, post its exit from the European Union.

According to the senior government minister, Jamaica is focused on leveraging the value of its global brand to penetrate new markets and strengthen existing trade ties.