First conference to be held in the Caribbean

Durrant Pate/Contributor

More than 1,500 delegates from some 140 countries are set to arrive in Jamaica next month for the World Free Zones Organization’s Eighth Annual International Conference & Exhibition (AICE) 2022.

Jamaica steps into the spotlight on the global economic stage as it serves as host for the event, scheduled for June 13 to 17 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James, which will be the focal point for discussions surrounding the future of supply chains and free zones, legal issues concerning developments in global and regional trade, plus new technologies and emerging trends.

It is the first time that the event is being held in the Caribbean.

The five-day AICE, which is being held under the theme, ‘Zones: Your Partner for Resilience, Sustainability and Prosperity’, will bring together world-class speakers, global free zone practitioners, policy makers, multi-lateral organisations and business representatives.

They will exchange ideas, experiences and visions for creating a more integrated global trade and business environment.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism Donovan White met with World Free Zones Organization (WFZO) Chairman Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni earlier this year, in Dubai, ahead of next month’s AICE.

At that meeting, the dignitaries discussed conference activities, as well as building support and sustainability for the cruise sector in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Bartlett announced the tie-up with Emirates Airlines, the largest airline in the Middle East region, which has recently started flights to Jamaica.

AIRLIFT ARRANGEMENT OPENS NEW GATEWAYS

This airlift arrangement opens gateways from the Middle East, Asia and Africa to Jamaica and the rest of the region.

The announcement was made at the Arabian Travel Market 2022 in Dubai following high-level meetings between Jamaica’s tourism officials and a team from Emirates Airlines led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority and chairman & chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group.

Held annually, the World FZO AICE is the world’s ‘must attend’ event for free zones and associated entities. It is an opportunity to build awareness among World Free Zones Organization members and prominent participants from across the globe.