KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica and its Caribbean counterparts are to bolster existing partnerships and explore new opportunities for economic, cultural and technical cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the first UAE-Caribbean Cooperation Forum set to get underway in Dubai from November 24-26.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith departed the island today to participate in the meetings.

The minister stated that she looks forward to this engagement as Jamaica and by extension the Caribbean seek to strengthen the current state of cooperation with the UAE, with a view to determining modalities for deepened, mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two regions.‖

Noting the possible impact of the cooperation, Johnson Smith confirmed that Jamaica will be promoting its investment opportunities, such as the Logistics Hub and renewable energy initiatives.‖

Jamaica will also be exploring opportunities for participating in the UAE’s Energy Fund, she said.

Her ministry explained that it is expected that the forum will provide an opportunity for dialogue on the development of strategic relations between the UAE and the Caribbean at the regional and bilateral levels.

This includes the deepening of technical cooperation with CARICOM Member States, as well as enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, culture and World Expo 2020 Dubai. The forum will host key government and private-sector representatives from across the region.

Johnson will also engage members of the Jamaican community in the UAE.

Following the forum, Johnson Smith will wrap up her visit with the Third International Participants Meeting (IPM) for Expo 2020 Dubai, which will be held under the theme ―Connecting Minds, Creating the Future‖ on 27th November 2018.