The Jamaica-Dominican Republic aviation agreement has boosted tourism and commercial trade, fostering new business ventures and boosting investment and dividends between the two nations.

Minister of Science, Daryl Vaz, elucidated the significant growth in dividends while addressing the second Dominican Republic-Jamaica Business Forum at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston on Thursday, April 18.

“I am very confident that we will witness the signing of a crucial memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the Airports Authority of the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, which is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties,” he said.

The MOC represents a collaborative venture aimed at facilitating exchanges, offering advisory support, and arranging visits from airports in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Both countries will share best practices concerning airport management and core operations to further develop the airports in both countries,” Vaz added.

The ministry has finalised a draft of the Jamaica National Energy Plan 2024 to 2050, incorporating global and domestic energy sector trends.

“We’re also reviewing the other policies, such as renewable energy, bioenergy; carbon trading; nuclear energy; electricity; energy from waste and energy efficiency and conservation policies, to place the country on track to achieve its goals and support the Government’s energy agenda,” Vaz stated.

Vaz further indicated that there has been impressive growth in Jamaica’s renewable energy capacity, citing the increasingly prominent role of solar and wind power in the energy mix.

The transition to clean energy is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity, as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels, creates jobs, and stimulates economic growth.

“The Electric Vehicle Policy, for example, is designed to promote the deployment of electric vehicles and contribute to the reduction of vehicle emissions towards supporting the goal of energy efficiency and a cleaner environment,” Vaz said.

The Jamaican government is promoting the transition to electric vehicles by 2030, targeting private motor-vehicle users, public transport fleet owners, and the government’s fleet.

The minister said that this is represented by the replenishment and modernisation of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus fleet, through the integration of electric and natural gas vehicles.

“This is a step in the right direction for the future of transport, which is a connecting mode for every sector. The replacement of the older vehicles with compressed natural gas buses will not only aid the JUTC fleet but also reduce the discomfort that passengers are facing and provide another step towards a more sustainable transport sector as we transition to clean energy in Jamaica and reduce our carbon footprint,” Vaz stated.