THOUGH this is my first visit to Jamaica as minster at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for the Caribbean, I feel, like many in the UK, that I already know Jamaica well. The links between our two countries are many and great. I am looking forward to exploring how we can invigorate our trade and investment links to help economic growth and development. I will also be seeing at first hand the areas where we cooperate closely, such as tackling crime, corruption and narcotics trafficking.

I hope to explore new opportunities. Our economies have been hit hard in recent years. We supported the IMF programme in Jamaica. The Jamaican Government has — like many of us — had to take some hard decisions. Legislation is being put in place to bring in a fairer tax system and stabilise the economy. I am sure the Government is right to seek stability first and look for ways to grow the economy.

In my meetings I will be exploring how the UK can contribute to future growth in Jamaica. Many UK companies are amongst the best in the world in IT and telecoms, infrastructure, renewable energy technologies, and the consumer and service sectors, and there are real opportunities for them to invest in Jamaica creating jobs. However, in the past there have been disincentives to doing business in Jamaica; crime and security; bureaucracy and red tape. We are already helping to tackle the former, and perhaps our experience of making Britain one of the easiest countries in the world to do business in can help to tackle the latter. According to the World Bank, it takes just 13 days to set up a company in the UK compared to the world average of 35 days.

Regulation is, of course, necessary, but it shouldn’t stifle innovation and creativity. Jamaica has ambitious plans for port development and for an international logistics hub. The success of those projects depends on companies from outside. I believe that also means opportunities for British companies.

Many Jamaicans graduated from British universities. The Foreign Office has its own scholarship programme — the Chevening Programme — and I recently met Jamaican Chevening scholars in London. During my visit I hope to catch up with some of those who have returned to work in important areas. Ensuring that people are able to receive a good education and live in a safe environment is essential for Jamaica’s future Chevening scholars.

In Kingston, I plan to visit one of the many projects the UK supports in helping to make a difference to those in inner cities or other small communities where there are often too many disadvantages.

We also cooperate closely with the Jamaican authorities to bring home those who have served time in British prisons or who have overstayed their visas. We work with the Jamaican authorities to help build new opportunities for them once they’re back. We can’t do this alone of course. We have help from Jamaican institutions and NGOs — even Jamaican sportsmen.

The work we do with the Jamaican law-enforcement authorities and with the Ministry of National Security is vital to tackling crime and corruption in both our countries. I’m proud of the joint work of the UK and Jamaican law enforcement agencies to help stop drug trafficking. This summer, Royal Navy ships in the Caribbean were able to intercept and prevent marijuana and cocaine reaching their destinations in Europe. This would not have been possible without cooperation with the Jamaican authorities.

Jamaica and the UK depend so much on people to people links. Jamaicans has made an important contribution to modern day Britain. Over half a million Jamaicans live in the UK today. Sixty years ago the first migrants from Jamaica helped to create what has become the multicultural Britain of which we are so proud today. It wasn’t a surprise that when the Jamaican team won their many medals at the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics, the British public cheered almost as loudly as the Jamaican public. When the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow next year, I am sure we will be reminded again that Jamaicans are winners.

I look forward to my visit, and I am especially excited about experiencing the legendary Jamaican welcome I have heard so much about.