• Your Excellencies the Most Honourable Sir Patrick and Lady Allen
• The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister
• Our many Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen all

 
Good evening to you all.   
It is indeed an honour and pleasure to welcome each of you, especially those who have travelled from the Cayman Islands, Canada, Japan, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United States of America and from other parts of the world for this significant event
In this globalised world, characterised by interconnectedness and interdependence, the cultivation of strategic partnerships is the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. Jamaicans at home and abroad must similarly engage in partnerships, to effectively address the complex challenges that we face as a nation. It is with this understanding, that my Ministry intends to pursue synergistic partnerships with you our Diaspora to lay the foundations for a prosperous Jamaica, where no one should be  left behind.
The Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference  presents a platform for us to move strategically into a new era of Diaspora-Homeland partnership.  Let us seize this opportunity to re-energise, and re-engineer new partnerships for growth, as captured in this year’s theme.
This Conference is centred on Jamaica’s economic growth agenda, with emphasis on three main areas:

• First, building, caring for and protecting our human capital -  our greatest asset (education, health and security)
• Secondly, analysing and understanding  the drivers of economic growth -  what propels and what retards, and  
• Thirdly promoting sustainable socio-economic development – an imperative for our  national Vision 2030

 
 We are appreciative of the decision of our over 700 registrants to engage in three days of robust interaction. We also look forward to  their contribution to a successful Diaspora Day of Service as you devote your time and talents to some  thirty critical projects  across the country.
Most importantly, I commend the Diaspora, well represented here this evening, for your unwavering support of this Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference as we anticipate building on foundations, the strengthening bonds and  creating new pathways.  I look forward to our interactions as we exchange ideas on topics and issues of mutual interest and elaborate shared goals over the next few days.  
As we seek to bridge the generational divide, the Conference will also facilitate the coming together of young leaders in Jamaica and in Diaspora locations globally, to share ideas and initiatives around entrepreneurship, mentorship and cultural affinity. It is expected that new networks will stem from this encounter.
 
The Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference represents the culmination of months of planning and preparation by a dedicated team of individuals throughout the public and private sector.  This public-private partnership model must be lauded and is truly deserving of replication.  
Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and to our Legacy partners who have been true stalwarts in the staging of biennial Diaspora Conferences from the inception. We also welcome our new sponsors who have come on board with such zeal. You are all significant and treasured partners, and your patriotism and loyalty to Jamaica and the Diaspora is invaluable. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, I continue to believe that Jamaica’s best days are ahead. That I know is also part of the vision of our Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness. Indeed, increased engagement of the Diaspora was already on his mind, even before we took office as an administration last year.  It is with much pleasure therefore that I invite him to share   his own thoughts and expectations of a new era for Jamaica, in partnership with the Diaspora.
 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to the podium, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica.  Welcome to the podium Prime Minister!