The Consul-General of Jamaica at Toronto has appointed Mr. Jerrold Johnson as Honorary Investment Advisor (HIA) of Jamaica to Toronto, Canada.
The appointment is part of the Economic Diplomacy Program (EDP) developed in 2020 by Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) and the country’s investment agency, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
The overarching aim of the EDP is to leverage Jamaica’s diplomatic missions globally to advance the country’s image as an investment destination and to strengthen linkages between Jamaican and overseas investors.
Mr. Johnson’s appointment is effective from June 14, 2021. It comes on the heels of two other Honorary Investment Advisor appointments from Jamaica to India and Japan.
A notable entrepreneur with deep linkages throughout Eastern Canada and within Jamaica, Mr. Johnson is well respected and is currently pursuing a cross-border project in manufacturing and supplying construction materials to support the many infrastructure projects in Jamaica.
From his vast experience in the private sector, Mr. Johnson is intimately acquainted with the intricacies of successfully navigating business investments in both jurisdictions.
In his former capacity as head of the Jamaica National Bank in Canada, Mr. Johnson was instrumental in facilitating the expansion of Jamaican businesses into Canada and to fostering increased investment of Canadians in Jamaican real estate.
“This appointment is especially timely,” noted Consul General Mr. Lincoln Downer. “Mr. Johnson in his capacity as HIA will help to drive our objective of deepening business linkages for the economic recovery of our beloved Jamaica. His extensive network and business connections across diverse industries will help us with accessing inroads to showcase investment opportunities in manufacturing, agri-business, logistics and business process outsourcing.”
Mr. Johnson says he looks forward to utilizing his connections to increase awareness of Jamaican opportunities, to supporting business matchmaking activities, promoting investment and trade opportunities, and cultivating strong business relationships between both countries.
“There is untapped scope for both Jamaican-Canadians and friends of Jamaica to take advantage of the varied investment opportunities that exist in Jamaica for small, medium and large investors. I look forward to helping businesses on both sides successfully navigate the landscape,” Mr. Johnson said.