THE Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) and Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) have been invited by the Panamanian embassy to engage key stakeholders in the global logistics industry at the LATAM Ports and Logistics Summit to be held in Panama City this week.

The LATAM Ports and Logistics Summit provides a global stage to promote Jamaica as the logistics hub of the Caribbean and to learn about changes taking place in the port and logistics sector while networking with industry leaders. The mission will also involve scheduled meetings with potential investors and other government officials.

The newly appointed manager of logistics and emerging markets at JAMPRO, Tastey Blackman, sees this mission as an ideal opportunity to share with investors advantages offered by Jamaica’s strategic geographic location and infrastructure.

She said, “I welcome this, my first mission on behalf of the agency and the opportunity it presents to interact with foreign investors who are looking to partner with Jamaica’s logistics hub initiative”.

According to Blackman, the trade and investment agency’s role in the development of the Jamaica logistics hub is not only to attract investment but also to promote and build awareness about the business opportunities presented by the initiative.

Blackman added, “We are also strongly involved in building linkages ensuring that medium, small and microenterprises (MSMEs) are integrated into the logistics hub to create employment for the long-term.”

Blackman is an international business development specialist with over 16 years of experience working in varied industries including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, airport and international transportation and logistics.

For Blackman and the Jamaican delegation this mission will present opportunities to see on the ground operations in the Panama Logistics Hub through site visits to the Manzanilla International Terminal which is adjacent to the Colon Free Zone; Decal Panama SA an International company specialising in bunkering services and the City of Knowledge, a unique cluster of technological and academic institutions.