It’s difficult to believe it’s a week since CaribDirect staged its second public seminar within the CARIBDIRECT SEMINAR SERIES under the theme, The Caribbean and You – doing business with or in the Caribbean.
Here’s the Souvenir Program.
CaribDirect Volunteer Maureen Nichols registering guests
Held at the Jamaica High Commission in London on Thursday 30th May 2013, the packed room, which comprised Caribbean High Commissioners, Deputy High Commissioners, Consular staff, officials from UK Trade and Investment, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, academics, Diaspora heads and Caribbean nationals from many walks of life, was treated to an evening of intellectual discussion focussed on trade and investment in the Caribbean.
Moderator Ron Belgrave takes charge
Moderated by the experienced and deeply Caribbean, Ron Belgrave, the director of Sankofa Televisual, the outfit that has just brought us the hilarious “Keeping Up With The Joneses” (KUWTJ) on Sky-209 & Virgin-8; the presentations and interaction with the audience were managed superbly under the watchful eye of CaribDirect media partner VOX Africa working to produce African and Caribbean news.
Moderator Ron Belgrave speaks with Panellist Dr Christopher Johnson
The presentations kicked off with the charismatic Dr Christopher A. Johnson, a highly experienced business management consultant. In summary Dr Johnson expressed the importance of the Cultural industries to the sustainability of the Caribbean and the innumerable opportunities that exist for Caribbean orientated businesses in the UK to take advantage of.
CEO David F. Roberts welcomes guests and introduces Moderator Ron Belgrave
Dr Johnson defined Cultural Industries as, “Those that combine the creation, production and commercialisation of contents that are tangible and cultural in nature; these contents are protected by copyright and they can take the form of goods and services” (Source: UNESCO 2000). He surprised the audience by confirming the value of this industry as £36 billion per year.
Dr Christopher A. Johnson delivering his presentation
What was most alarming to the audience however was his revelation that there are over 18, 000 self employed British Caribbean nationals operating in the UK and that from a population of over 575,000 Caribbean people in the UK our total spend is approximately £5 billion a year.
Nathaniel Peat drives home a point about corporate social responsibility
Following swiftly behind Dr Johnson was the energetic, inspiring and multi talented Nathaniel Peat, Chairman of the Safety Box and founder of Jamaicans Inspired UK (JAMINUK).
Laurence Jones assures Caribbean nationals desirous of trading and investing in Jamaica, of their welcome.
Nathaniel wasted no time in pointing out the value of working together for the benefit of young Caribbean people in the UK and fostering collaborative links with corporate entities open to providing commercial opportunities to ambitious young people.
Leroy Logan outlining the challenges of policing in the Caribbean.
He said, “Empowering young people means creating and supporting the enabling conditions under which young people can act on their own behalf, and on their own terms, rather than at the direction of others.”
Edwin Laurent skillfully describing the economic landscape of the Caribbean region
Laurence Jones, Regional Manager, Europe for JAMPRO urged attendees to pay attention to the many trade and investment opportunities that exist in Jamaica as the country positions itself as the logistics hub of the region given its unique geographical location.
Attentive audience which includes (front left) H.E High Commissioner for Grenada, Routh Elizabeth Rouse and next to her Deputy High Commissioner for Dominica H.E Janet Charles.
He outlined Jamaica’s willingness to accommodate investment from all Caribbean and other nationalities once the requisite criteria are met. He boasted of the 4G technology taking hold in Jamaica at the moment, a facility that is integral to international competitiveness.
Guest asking a question on the impact of digital technology on the Cultural Industries of the Caribbean.
Last minute addition and replacement for Ms Amanda Rooney was soft spoken easy going security specialist Leroy Logan MBE, founder of Metropolitan Black Police Association (Met BPA) and REALLITY (Raising Everyones’ Awareness of Lives Lost In The Youth); www.reallity.org.
Guest from Birmingham Anthony Kelly making the point that CaribDirect seminar panels should strive for more diversity, given Amanda Rooney’s replacement by Leroy Logan, thereby better representing the Caribbean
Leroy looked at the overall security situation in the Caribbean and the many challenges forces face in the region. He noted ignorance due to budgetary constraints impeding training, plays a great part of the general incompetence of many Caribbean police forces.
Guest Lorna Stewart, founder / Director 100 Black + expresses her concern about red tape surrounding doing business with the Caribbean.
He pointed out that the state of the economy is the greatest fuel for increased criminal activity thereby compounding the challenges of local police forces making it imperative that the regional security agencies redouble their efforts to get a grip on crime.
Tropical Connections director Maureen Smith stresses the Caribbean is losing out on the skills of the young Diasporans and suggests the establishment of a petition for young Diasporans of OECS extraction to be considered for naturalisation or citizenship.
The final speaker Edwin Laurent SLC. OBE. CMG, an accomplished trade and economic development consultant took to the podium and defined the Caribbean Community popularly known by the acronym CARICOM.
Nathaniel Peat invites a vote from the house to support the petition and adopts it following overwhelming support. The petition has now been set up by JAMINUK.
A skilled public speaker, Edwin turned what would otherwise have been deemed a dull topic into a most interesting presentation. He outlined the vision of a ‘One Caribbean or One West Indies’ articulated by the founding fathers of the failed Federation of the West Indies (1958 to 1962), to provide an essential back drop to the several challenges faced by the region.
Dr Johnson clarifying a point about the importance of market intelligence to success in business particularly in the context of Caribbean businesses.
The trade specialist provided some insight into the many challenges the region faces, not least the difficulties and complexities of the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) and the need for regional economies to devise ways to trade more intra regionally.
Dr Johnson amuses the gathering with a funny but poignant anecdote on Caribbean business practice.
A brisk and intense question and answer session followed flagging up points on citizenship, market intelligence, diversity on the panel to properly represent the Caribbean, and digital technology and its application in business to name a few.
Laurence Jones expresses confidence that Jamaica is indeed ready for business from the Caribbean Diaspora
One significant outcome of the seminar was the unanimous support for the establishment of a petition allowing children of OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) parents domiciled in the Diaspora (USA, Canada, and UK particularly) to be considered for citizenship / naturalisation.
Moderator Ron Belgrave summerising the evening’s presentations.
The Caribbean business panel, (l-r) Nathaniel Peat, Dr Christopher Johnson, Ron Belgrave, Edwin Laurent, Laurence Jones and Leroy Logan.
CaribDirect’s Director for Lifestyle and Social Affairs, Sherika Miller gives a moving Vote of Thanks.
This initiative was adopted by Nathaniel Peat who agreed to set up and administer the petition from JAMINUK. CaribDirect is pleased to announce the petition is actually live and can be accessed here.
The Refill Food team who sponsored the fruit juice and water for the event. Owner Clive Biggs is at extreme right.
CaribDirect thanks all who attended and supported this seminar in any way and invite you to continue following us as we work with other Caribbean news media to bring the Caribbean together through partnerships.
Food sponsored by Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine
Food sponsored by Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine
Food sponsored by Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine
Food sponsored by Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine
Food sponsored by Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine
Fruit display sponsored by Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine
Food sponsors Magdalena Silva-Roldan and husband of Silva-Lining Caribbean & Latin American Cuisine, being interviewed by CaribDirect’s Sherika Miller
CaribDirect CEO David F. Roberts being interviewed by VOX Africa.
The CaribDirect team and supporters
Click here to see VOX Africa coverage
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