Some of the earliest outcomes of the January 23-28 visit to Guyana undertaken by a Trade Mission by the country’s Caribbean Community (CARICOM) partner has already begun to manifest themselves according to reports emanating from Jamaica.
Earlier this week one of the island’s leading daily newspapers, the Jamaica Observer, quoted the Chairman of the Airports Authority, Anthony Mark-Hart, as opining that the extent of the envisaged investment opportunities for potential Jamaican investors would appear to warrant the establishment of a direct airline service between the two countries. Hart who was, himself, a member of a 70-member delegation headed by Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill, which visited Guyana from January 23 to 28 to explore business opportunities here appears to see potentially lucrative opportunities from the establishment of a reliable air link between the two countries.
The potential is evidenced in what Hart sees as the likely growth of business ties between Guyana and Jamaica arising out of the significantly adjusted oil and gas-driven trajectory of the Guyana economy. The Jamaican airline boss’ assertion appears to derive from what he envisages as the potential for aggressive pursuit by the country’s business sector of trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. What is believed to be the single largest Jamaican business delegation ever to visit Guyana comprised forty of the island’s private sector companies as well as the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JNAA) and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association. (JMEA.)
Hart, who also serves as Chairman of Jamaica’s Cargo Handlers Limited and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited, is reported to have drawn attention to the “tremendous opportunities” that now exist in Guyana, arising out of the country’s significant oil ‘wealth.’ One of the country’s high profile airline and air travel officials, Hart reportedly referred to an existing Jamaican business development team that is keen to create an air travel route between Jamaica and Guyana. Going forward and in anticipation of an increase in business-related traffic between Guyana and Jamaica, Hart is quoted in the Observer report as saying that Jamaica will be “looking to target Inter-Caribbean [Airways] and/or Caribbean Airlines” to provide air travel between the two countries.
