KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has appointed Deputy President of the Senate, Aubyn Hill, as special investment ambassador to India, with responsibility to facilitate economic, commercial and social ties with the country.

“The clear objective is to grow trade between our two countries and enhance our economic growth and job creation prospects,” Holness said.

The Prime Minister was bringing remarks at the inaugural Mona Debates yesterday at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona campus.

Holness said the move to deepen relations with India is significant, considering the Jamaican Government’s economic agenda and development imperatives.

He noted that Hill is fully equipped to carry out the task, as he has a strong economic association with India, having lived and worked in the country, and travels there frequently.

The debate, hosted in collaboration the Indian High Commission, was in observation of the 125th birth anniversary of Indian Activist, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Dr Ambedkar was an economist, politician and social reformer, who inspired the Dalit Budhist movement. He dedicated his life to fighting discrimination against the Dalits, formerly called Untouchables, who are people at the bottom of India’s rigid caste system.