Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade returns to Jamaica today (Thursday, May 19), having led the Jamaican delegation to the VIII Mexico-Jamaica Bi-national Commission from May 17 to 18 in Mexico City, Mexico.
The Jamaica-Mexico Bi-National Commission is a bilateral mechanism established to promote enhanced political consultations and cooperation between the two countries. It was co-chaired by Minister Johnson Smith and the Mexican Foreign Minister, Claudia Ruiz Massieu.
The meeting of the Joint Commission coincided with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Jamaica and Mexico.
During the visit, Minister Johnson Smith signed a Jamaica-Mexico Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Income Tax. Also signed was an MOU on the establishment of a Mexican Chair at UWI and the renewal of the collaboration agreement between the National Autonomous University of Mexico and UWI.
The Minister also participated in a breakfast meeting with the Mexican Private Sector, with the support of JAMPRO. Minister Johnson Smith used the opportunity to invite even closer economic and commercial cooperation with Mexico, bearing in mind the level of Mexican investment in the Jamaican economy, particularly in the airport, hotel and manufacturing sectors.
Minister Johnson Smith was also invited to deliver a lecture on the Jamaica-Mexico Bilateral Partnership on Wednesday, May 17 at the Diplomatic Institute in Mexico City.
The Minister was accompanied for the various engagements by Senior Officials in the Ministry, the Jamaican Ambassador to Mexico as well as representatives from other public and private sector agencies.
