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Jamaica – The Spanish Visit , the Second Coming

It’s nearly 515 years since Columbus came to Jamaica on his second voyage.

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This Wednesday, the King and Queen of Spain  came instead of sending an adventurer. For 146 years, Jamaica was a Spanish colony until it was abandoned to the British. The Spanish has left a legacy that is visibly reflected in our architecture, and names of many of our towns.

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King Juan Carlos I addressed parliament, and made significant commitment about the two nation’s relationship.

  • Spain has been quietly nurturing the relationship in recent years.
  • Spanish investment is said to be around US$1.48 B resulting in 40,000 jobs.
  • Spain is one of the leading developers , building a significant portion of the new accommodation capacity.
  • Spanish visitors account for the third largest set of visitors from Europe.
  • They sent aid during the devastating hurricanes of last year.
  • They have made investments in agriculture and training of farmers.
  • They have invested in the restoration of the Spanish presence in Spanish Town such a a wing of the hospital.
  • Spain has supported teaching of Spanish as a foreign language which will help with our Latin America engagements.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh (right), and Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Ambassador Miguel Angel Moratinos, sign copies of bilateral agreements for the establishment of air services between both countries.

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Tourism remains our golden goose. However, is the increased development like feeding steroids to the goose?

We are faced with a major dilemma.  How do you leverage the interest from the Chinese, and now the Spanish and create a sustainable, diverse economic situation?

About the author

metinking

I am an entrepreneur whose focus is on helping small businesses deploy internet marketing tools to leverage new customers and profits. I believe in the survival of the knitted, and thus champion those who are making a difference in our community.