KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, in highlighting the concerns of the Jamaica’s private sector about the challenges faced in accessing the European Union markets, said that Jamaica’s strength and advantages in its services sectors would be greatly unlocked if there was a special visa regime between CARIFORUM and European Union (EU) countries.

The minister’s observation was made during a courtesy call by Diana Acconcia, head of the Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPA) Unit in European Commission’s Directorate General for Trade on Tuesday, at the ministry’s Dominica Drive offices.

Noting that the minister’s comments would be taken into consideration, Acconcia, who, along with other EU officials, is here to participate in the CARIFORUM-EU Trade and Development Committee Meeting, scheduled for today, noted that her team wants to “assist Jamaica and other Caribbean countries in making the best of EPA”.

“The aim is to translate EPA into growth, with an increase in trade,” Acconcia noted, whilst making the point that more of the Agreement needs to be implemented.

Johnson Smith welcomed the engagement with the private sector in an EPA roundtable, as it was noted that the Jamaican private sector has voiced concerns about the challenges faced in accessing the EU markets, especially beyond the United Kingdom. They have a keen interest in information on how to access these markets, she said.

Making the point that both the European Union and the CARIFORUM countries are desirous of moving to fuller implementation of the EPA, the EU representative noted that private sectors in the Caribbean and Europe need to strengthen their business relations.