< Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Anthony Johnson at right receives a statuette of the Liberty Bell from Miss Carol Brooks, Manager of International Trade for the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce after he addressed members of the Philadelphia City Council.  Also sharing in the occasion is Dr. Alston Meade, Jamaica’s Honourary Consul to Philadelphia,

By Derrick A. Scott,
Washington, DC, JIS.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Anthony Johnson says, “all efforts will be made to increase export from Jamaica to Philadelphia which now stands at just under 100 million U.S. dollars to 200 million dollars”.

Ambassador Johnson gave the assurance to representatives of the Philadelphia City Council when he visited the city recently. “All efforts will be made to fortify a stronger trade relation with Jamaica and Philadelphia.  Jamaica and Philadelphia had a strong trading relationship in the 18th century and there’s no reason why we cannot strengthen that relationship back so both Jamaica and Philadelphia can benefit economically”.

Ambassador Johnson told members of the Philadelphia city council that one of the ways that Jamaica can double it’s trade would be to have Philadelphia as a port of entry for a wide range of Jamaican products and to get the Jamaican community as well as the wider business community in Philadelphia established and interested in Jamaican products.

Ambassador Johnson said, “some of the goods that could be exported from Jamaica to Philadelphia are rum, sauces, pepper products, liqueurs and beers”.   Miss Carol Brooks, Manager of International Trade for the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce in an interview with JIS News said, “in 2007 a total of $67,538,013 in goods were imported from Jamaica at a 39.36% increase from 2006. Top imports from Jamaica she said are beverages, spirits, vinegar, vegetables, fruits, and nuts”.

Ambassador Johnson, was presented with a City Council citation a statuette of the Liberty Bell by Councilwoman Jannine Blackwell


Derrick A. Scott
JIS Washington DC
                         

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