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Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is now in Oslo, Norway on an Official Visit aimed at fostering trade and deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly on maritime issues and sustainable development.
“The visit will seek to explore interests and opportunities in trade and investment, cooperation in renewable energy and further cooperation in the maritime sector,” stated Minister Johnson Smith.
Having established Diplomatic Relations in October, 1997, Jamaica-Norway collaboration has mostly been at the multilateral level through the United Nations and bilaterally on maritime issues. In fact, the establishment of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), now Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), in 1980, was a joint venture project of the two countries and a key accomplishment of Jamaica-Norway bilateral cooperation. Up until 1994, the CMI benefitted from Norwegian expertise and capital expenditure in: programme development; faculty monitoring; travel and scholarships.
Latterly, both Governments have increased collaboration around sustainable development issues which include oceans and climate change, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and maritime issues, leading to an invitation from Norway to Jamaica, to join the High-Level-Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy launched in September 2018.
During her visit, Minister Johnson Smith will pay a Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister of Norway, Her Excellency Erna Solberg and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (M0U) on the establishment of Bilateral Consultations with her Norwegian counterpart. The inaugural round of the bilateral consultations will follow the MoU signing.
The Minister is also expected to participate in a roundtable with the Minister of International Development of Norway, to engage in discussions with the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament and meet with representatives of Norwegian renewable energy companies as well as REV Ocean, a not–for-profit corporation focused on sustainable ocean management through research and the reduction of plastic waste.
Whilst in Oslo, the Foreign Minister will also engage with Jamaicans in the Diaspora. “It is always good to meet Jamaicans in the Diaspora, mindful of the high level of interest and willingness to participate in their country’s development. I particularly look forward to sharing the plans for 8th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, where Jamaicans in Norway will hear more about the business and investment opportunities, now on offer, by an economy in its growth phase.”
Accompanying Minister Johnson Smith on the official visit are Senator Mathew Samuda, the representative for Prime Minister Holness on the High-Level-Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, Professor Fritz Pinnock, President of the CMU and two officers of the Foreign Ministry.
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