KINGSTON, Jamaica — Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Peter Phillips, has encouraged Jamaicans living in the North American Diaspora to take advantage of the emerging economic environment in Jamaica.

“It is my hope and expectation that as investors across the world, including Asia, Europe and Latin America, mobilize to participate through investments in Jamaica, more Jamaicans within the Diaspora will take advantage of the new economic environment and the opportunities which exist in Jamaica,” Dr Phillips told last Wednesday’s 10th annual Caribbean Lecture Series in New York City.

Phillips told the large audience that he is confident that the Government is laying the foundation to achieve sustained growth through a series of economic reforms.

“This has involved significant sacrifice from all Jamaicans, but the good news is we are seeing signs of the rewards which await us if we stay the course and complete the task,” he said.

Dr Phillips delivered this year’s tenth annual version of the Caribbean Lecture Series, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York City public library in Manhattan. The theme of the lecture was “Jamaica’s Path to Prosperity”. The series is hosted annually by the Caribbean International Network (CIN), a tri-state television network catering to the Caribbean Diaspora in the region.

United States (US) Congresswoman, Yvette Clarke, who is of Jamaican heritage, welcomed the minister and suggested that the US government could benefit from a partnership with Jamaica on alternative energy projects.

“Jamaica has become a leader in the development of alternative energy resources and I am hopeful that the US will learn from their example and partner with them in becoming leaders in sustainable energy in this region,” she said.

She added that US Vice President Joe Biden has expressed an interest in Jamaica’s development of alternative energy resources and added that there would discussions between the Jamaica and the United States to forge a partnership.