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Hon. Nigel Clarke, DPhil., MP, (2nd left) Minister of Finance and the Public Service and Lilia Burunciuc (2nd right), World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean Countries sign a loan agreement to support the Jamaica Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunities Project during a visibility ceremony at the ministry on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Looking on are Collette Roberts Risden (left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Dr. Jaime Saavedra Chanduvi (right), World Bank Human Development Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Region.
Kingston, Jamaica: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) for advancing the Jamaica-Japan Partnership Initiative at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
This partnership seeks to promote collaboration in a number of areas, including Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change, Civil Security, Economic Development, Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Maritime and Oceanic Issues.
The MOC is not legally binding and does not require any commitment for the transfer of financial or material resources between the GOJ and JICA. The MOC is intended to remain in effect for five (5) years and may be renewed for an equivalent duration, unless terminated by either party.
Hon. Nigel Clarke, DPhil., MP, Minister of Finance and the Public Service in his remarks at the ceremony underscored that Japan has been a solid and committed supporter of Jamaica.
He noted, “Japan although an industrialised country shares a sensitivity vulnerability to climatic events and adverse geological occurrences. Japan has developed an advanced means and methods of adapting and mitigating the vulnerabilities that it faces”.
“Jamaica no doubt in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl is reminded yet again of the vulnerabilities that we face and the need to plan and prepare in advance for the damage that can be caused by these natural disaster events. Jamaica has advanced a multilayered disaster risk financing framework, with the cooperation of multilayered partners, and we are pleased that one of the main areas of this memorandum of cooperation has to do with disaster risk management,” Minister Clarke said.
Minister Clarke also mentioned that the signing of this MOU will allow Jamaica to establish a contingent emergency credit facility which will be triggered in the event of a natural disaster. This will be added to the existing suite of instruments for Jamaica.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Hon. Alando Terrelonge, MP, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade who mentioned that the significance of this engagement is highlighted by the fact that at the regional level, Jamaica and Japan are vibrant partners who are celebrating 30 years of Japan-CARICOM Friendship.
He said, “The memorandum of cooperation that we will sign today, aptly identifies critical areas for cooperation in the sectors that are at the core of our vision for Jamaica’s development. For this reason, we look forward to working with JICA in the areas of security, including community policing and maritime security; disaster risk management; energy efficiency and tourism crisis management, so that we can build a lasting legacy for this and succeeding generations”.
Minister Terrelonge further noted, “We look forward to its [MOC] effective implementation and stand ready to ‘Gemba’ (dive into the field) with JICA and its invaluable volunteers, who continue to make such a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens”.
In his response, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency is elated that the Government of Jamaica is ready for advancement in the priority areas since both countries share core values of human rights, the rule of law and democracy.
“On the basis of this MOC, JICA will continue to promote cooperation with Jamaica for the benefit of the Jamaican people and strive to cultivate an even richer partnership between Japan and Jamaica over the next 60 years,” said Dr. Tanaka
Notably, this is the first time that a president of JICA has visited Jamaica.
The visit to Jamaica by the President of the JICA coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan, the 30th Anniversary of the Japan- Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Friendship Year and the 35th Anniversary of JICA’s presence in Jamaica.
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For further information contact:
Corporate Communication & Public Relations Branch
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
30 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 932-4656/4660/4655
Email: Shakiel.Rochester-Shorter@mof.gov.jm; Suzell.Wray@mof.gov.jm
Contact: Shakiel Rochester Shorter/Suzell Wray
The Hon. Nigel Clarke, D.Phil., MP
Minister of Finance and the Public Service
30 National Heroes Circle, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 932-4656 / 4660 / 4655
Eml: opedjamaica@gmail.com
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