THE foreign affairs ministry is moving to gather data on Jamaicans living abroad as the Government tries to tackle the strategic priorities set out in the Diaspora policy which emanated from the 2019 biennial Diaspora conference.

State minister for foreign affairs and foreign trade, Leslie Campbell said Tuesday that with Cabinet’s approval of the policy a plan of action now needs to be completed to implement those priorities — but first there is a need for critical data.

“We will need data in the order of: access to reliable, regular, and updated statistics of the size, location and demographic characteristics of Diaspora members for which technology will be critical,” he said while declaring the hybrid in-person and virtual conference open.

He said the ministry is collaborating with international partners to develop a digital portal and digital registration platform to collect the data in order to facilitate evidence-based decisions for Diaspora engagement. A feasibility study is also to be developed in consultation with the Diaspora on a model for Diaspora engagement.

Earlier this month permanent secretary in the ministry, Sheila Sealy Monteith had indicated that the ministry does not have information on the number of Jamaicans in the Diaspora due to reasons such as the undocumented status of some which makes them reluctant to come in contact with any formal system.

At a Parliamentary committee meeting she said that over the years efforts have been made to establish a registry that would facilitate better information on Jamaicans who live overseas, but “there is a natural fear. People are suspicious of giving their information to their home country”.

She said the three-million figure usually referred to is an estimate of Jamaicans living outside of the country.

“So we know, for example, [in Canada] they gave a figure for the number of Jamaicans, based on their census, but you and I would know immediately that there are probably far more of that number that would not be in any census, in any formal system, in any documented way. But, that allows at least a point of reference when you’re thinking of how to engage them,” she explained.

Minister Campbell told the conference that the Government remains committed to harnessing the full potential of the Diaspora.

Wednesday’s session will feature plenary and breakout discussions on topics such as Diaspora engagement for transformation of the local orange economy and cryptocurrency, sustainable agro-investment models, the Jamaica Stock Exchange, investment opportunities in Jamaica, and Diaspora business and investment.