Trade between the United States (US) and Jamaica has remained resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, auguring well for both countries, according to John McIntyre, the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Kingston.

McIntyre, speaking recently during a membership mingle hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica, said according to the US Department of Commerce, for the first quarter of 2021, American companies exported more than US$400 million in goods and services to Jamaica. For the same period, Jamaican companies exported more than US$100-million worth of goods and services to the US.

McIntyre said Jamaican exports to the US increased by 16 per cent in the first quarter of 2021, over 2020, and encouraged more exports to America.

He said there were indications that tourist arrivals in Jamaica would continue to increase with the full vaccination of more Americans.

Turning to the issue of energy, McIntyre said the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has established a three-year, US$4-million initiative called the Jamaican Energy Resiliency Alliance which aims to boost energy sector resiliency. 

He reiterated that the US Embassy is focusing on resiliency, medical and energy resiliency, to support Jamaica now and for the future. 

According to McIntyre, the new activity expands renewable energy technology, availability and accessibility for businesses and key Jamaican sectors, including tourism and manufacturing. 

He said said this Global Development Alliance has the potential to leverage upwards of US$50 million in private sector investments for solar and battery installation and includes scholarships and workforce development opportunities to drive employment and the growing renewable sector.

He encouraged Jamaican companies that are looking to adapt clean technologies to reduce their carbon footprint to consider the initiative.

McIntyre spoke of the close ties with AmCham Jamaica and encouraged member companies to enquire about the various opportunities via the AmCham Jamaica office as they can help to provide guidance and will also facilitate contacts/enquiries with his office. In her remarks, AmCham president Ann-Dawn Young Sang also encouraged members to contact the Secretariat for assistance and to utilise the services offered. 

Both the AmCham president and McIntyre noted the low uptake of Jamaican companies in taking advantage of the benefits offered under the Caribbean Basin Initiative, CBI.

She also updated members on the various discussions that have taken place with the US Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of American Chambers of Commerce of Latin America and the Caribbean on a number of issues, ranging from Jamaica as an ideal option for near shoring opportunities, asking the US Chamber to advocate for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean to receive vaccines from the US government; attracting more foreign direct investment to Jamaica – what US investors are looking for, etc, as well as continuing to seek, develop and further strengthen trade ties between the United States and Jamaica.

Young Sang noted that AmCham continues to be one of the most influential voices in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in advocacy and strengthening ties by virtue of being a partner of the US Chamber/AACCLA, which makes it a formidable force in developing business opportunities for its members.