Holness urges diaspora to contribute to Ja beyond remittances
Published:Tuesday | April 8, 2025 | 12:10 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is urging Jamaicans in the diaspora to return home and invest, a move which he said would increase the country’s output and further boost the economy.
Holness, who was the guest speaker at a diaspora forum at the ChristWay Baptist Church in Miramar, Florida, in the United States (US) on Friday, said the need for the more than one million Jamaicans domiciled overseas to return and invest is greater than the remittances and philanthropic efforts they offer.
He noted that while remittances cater to social welfare that the Government may not be able to sufficiently address, and that charitable efforts help sectors such as health, investments will serve to increase output to maintain purchasing power and cost of living.
He said the latter is a major challenge, requiring that upskilling and further training take place within the labour force.
“It means that we will have to bring in new businesses and new industries in Jamaica,” said Holness.
He said that to do this, the Government must mobilise the Jamaican diaspora.
“Yes, we want the remittances. Yes, we want the great philanthropy that you exercise for our country. But I want you to buy homes in Jamaica. I want you to come back with the AI technology. I want you to come back with the cybersecurity expertise and set up businesses. Yes, I want you to come back to Jamaica and invest in Jamaica and help us build that economy,” said Holness.
His clarion call comes amid increasing public discourse about the possible involvement of Jamaicans living abroad in the political process and whether the group should be allowed to vote.
Roughly 1.1 million Jamaicans, including descendants, live in the US, approximately 800,000 in the United Kingdom, and some 300,000 in Canada – countries with the largest concentrations of Jamaicans.
Holness acknowledged that not everyone will heed the call, mentioning mitigating factors which include poor road conditions and healthcare.
“I understand that and I’m not expecting that everyone will heed my call, but if only 10 it’s a big start… . Bring the new industries in,” said Holness.
He said Jamaica is at the “inflection point in its transformation journey”, likening it to a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly.
At the same time, he noted that there is a “paradox of progress” and a “displacement of progress”, where some feel “uncomfortable” and excluded from the argued transformation under way.
“So, what I’m enlisting you to do this afternoon is to explain what I’ve said to you to your family back in Jamaica. Because you easily relate to what I have said to you, because you have the lived experience here every day,” said Holness, arguing that US states and cities have the economy to support maintenance and development.
He concluded that a lack of resources fuels migration, noting that this has been the case for Jamaica.
“So, it is very important that whatever you vote for and whoever you vote for, make sure that you are voting for the maintenance of good economic management. Whatever colour you prefer, whatever household you grow up in, whoever is your favourite leader, whoever inspired you, all I’ll say to you is this, vote for the best interest of Jamaica,” said Holness.
He said during Jamaica’s transformation journey, whoever is at the helm must assure, if not guarantee, those who have been displaced that the process will be fair, inclusive and equitable.