A Message from Isao Otsuka, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica on the occasion of the Negril Chamber of Commerce 20th Anniversary

After formalisation of diplomatic relations in 1964, the Government of Japan established its embassy in Kingston, Jamaica in 1985 under a charge d' affaires and then in 1995, with its first resident Ambassador. Since then, the relationship between Jamaica and Japan has changed from simply the government to government level to include trade based on market-oriented economy as well as bilateral cooperation involving grassroots organizations in Jamaica. Japan presently exports a wide range of Japanese goods to Jamaica, like automobiles, while importing significant amounts of coffee, rum, music and tourism from Jamaica. Many Jamaicans are, however, unaware of the level of cooperation that exists between the peoples and Governments of Jamaica and Japan. Not many know that since 1995 over 45 projects have been undertaken through the direct collaboration of the people of Jamaica and the Government of Japan under the Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Jamaica Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects Programme (GGP). This programme is one aspect of many points of collaboration between Japan and Jamaica. It, however, represents a unique programme, being the only point of direct interface between the Government of Japan and the people of Jamaica.

As Ambassador, I am indeed honoured to be associated with the Negril Chamber of Commerce as a result of direct funding to the organization from the GGP to establish a recycling centre in the beautiful community of Negril. Twenty (20) years is a long time for an organization to be in existence. It is indicative of the hard and quality work the organization has done over the years. As the Negril Chamber of Commerce celebrates its twentieth anniversary, I salute the chamber as a viable and important entity to the Negril community and wish for the chamber prosperity in the years to come.