MONTEGO BAY, St James– The US embassy’s Chargé d’ Affaires Isiah Parnell yesterday dismissed rumours that his country was planning to close shop in Jamaica at an official ceremony to mark the opening of its newly-relocated offices to the salubrious Whitter Village in Montego Bay.

“We have over 250 employees in a brand-new office that is three years old and now we are at this great location in Montego Bay… there is absolutely no truth to those rumours. Jamica is our friend and we are open for business,” he told the Observer yesterday.

According to embassy officials, over 120,000 visas are processed on a yearly basis in Jamaica.

No visa services will be provided from the Montego Bay location, however customers may make applications there for passports and additional visa pages and a wide range of other services relevant to their welfare. Americans who reside here and wish to vote in federal US elections may do so at the consular agency via the absentee voting process.

The new office, which is located across from the spot allocated to Burger King, opened last week in the 201,000 square-foot commercial complex which is owned by Angella Whitter.

Whitter, wife of business mogul Joe Whitter, said she was extremely pleased to welcome the consular office to the complex which will officially open on June 5.

“The Whitter Village is all about convenience and bringing the best of Montego Bay together. We’re about 70 per cent booked and enjoying very positive feedback so far,” she said.