MAYOR OF Atlanta, Shirley Franklin, arrives in Jamaica for a four day visit beginning tomorrow as part of efforts to strengthen links between that United States city and Jamaica.
Mayor Franklin comes at the invitation of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM). She will have several meetings with officials and bodies, including Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, AMCHAM officials, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).
JAMPRO's president, Patricia Francis said that Atlanta is a city with as large a population as Jamaica but with a larger Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The city has lots of businesses and is home to an immense intellectual centre as well as technology companies.
"The relationship between the Mayor and the business community is very important and the visit will help to bring some value to the discussions we've been having," Mrs. Francis said. "Our interest is to bring our products to Atlanta, bring investment here... we want linkages with distribution companies in her area, there are a number of things we want to do together."
Ms. Franklin, according to her Web site, www.shirleyfranklin.com,was inaugurated on January 7, 2002 as the 58th Mayor of Atlanta, having won a landslide victory in November 2001.
She made history by being the first woman Mayor and the first African-American woman to serve as Mayor of a major southeastern city.
Her public service career began in 1978, when she served as the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs under former Mayor, Maynard Jackson. She was later appointed as the nation's first woman Chief Administrative Officer, or City Manager.
In 1991 she joined the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Inc., as the top ranking female executive, serving as senior vice-president for external relations.
In 1997, she formed Shirley Clarke Franklin & Associates, a management and consulting firm for public affairs, community affairs and strategic planning.
She serves over 30 boards and committees and is a member of the Democratic National Committee and Treasurer of the Democratic Party of Georgia.
She has received numerous awards and honours during her career including the 1996 Woman of the Year Award from the Young Women's Christian Association.
