Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Professor Sir Kenneth Hall has emphasised that Jamaicans must prepare themselves to take advantage of the opportunities that are present under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The Governor-General was delivering the Throne Speech today (March 27), at the State Opening of Parliament, to mark the beginning of the new legislative year, which commences on April 1.
The new EPA between CARIFORUM states and the European Union, which was concluded in December 2007, offers new opportunities for investment and growth in the Jamaican economy.
Duty-free and quota-free access to the vast European market of more than 450 million people provides exciting possibilities for local and foreign investment, the Governor-General said.
“We must prepare ourselves to take advantage of these opportunities and our farmers, manufacturers and service providers must gear themselves to demonstrate the level of competitiveness that will enable them to penetrate this market,” Sir Kenneth said.
In the meanwhile, the Governor-General informed that the Government, in partnership with the private sector, would be launching a vigorous campaign to promote the marketing of local goods and services under the Brand Jamaica, “taking advantage of the strength of our name on the international scene.”