A few days ago Jamaica’s junior Minister of Foreign Affairs,Arnaldo Brown, announced that his government intends setting up a comprehensive database of its professionals and investors living overseas. The work will be undertaken in conjunction with the Geneva based inter-governmental body, the International Organization on Migration.
His department, he says, has been examining successful diaspora models in countries with well-developed diaspora models including Israel, India, Ireland, China and Mexico with the intent of replicating successful elements for Jamaica. Critically, in doing so he recognised that for Jamaica, or any country serious about engaging with its diaspora, that is a full-time enterprise, has a cost, and means that existing and external bodies addressing diaspora affairs needed to be strengthened and made effective.
The Minister also suggested that Jamaica might develop a comprehensive database of
