KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith says she is encouraged by stakeholders who participated in the recently held Jamaica Diaspora Conference, and has described the four-day event as a resounding success.

The conference was held June 16 to June 19 in Montego Bay under the theme, ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity, and Youth Empowerment’.

“I am so pleased that the number of people who have been saying to me that this conference is a resounding success, or it exceeded their expectations, or it was the best that they have ever attended, including persons who have been attending since 2004,” Johnson Smith said.

She says it has been a fulfilling experience to work with the Diaspora on delivering on a promise of deepened and widened engagement and partnership in nation building and mutuality.

Noting that the Government is pleased that this year’s conference attracted the largest number of participants and sponsors, the minister said what was most fulfilling was the positive feedback regarding the interest and structure of the information shared.

“People have made connections, new business contacts, new personal emotional journeys prompted by their return to Jamaica after many years, as well as the satisfaction of benefiting from the services offered by PICA (Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency), TAJ (Tax Administration Jamaica), Companies Office (of Jamaica) and so many other government agencies that were here, as well as businesses which have made a pathway for future engagement,” Minister Johnson Smith said.

While speaking in audio released to the media on Friday, Johnson Smith said it was also fulfilling to hear that several members of the Diaspora were pleased to witness significant development in Jamaica compared to when they last visited.

“They now return feeling empowered by knowledge and more sure footed about how it is that they wish to participate in national development. Not to mention the number of people who now say that they feel confident to put in place plans to start to transition, to return home,” the minister said.