WESTERN BUREAU:

Honorary Consuls from more than 80 countries are expected to attend the 8th World Congress of Consuls, which begins at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Montego Bay, St. James, this morning.

The event, scheduled to end on Wednesday, will be declared open by Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall.

Former Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and CARICOM Chairman, Denzil Douglas, are also expected to attend.

Honorary Consuls are private citizens appointed by a foreign government to represent its interests. They have been very instrumental in promoting trade and other areas of bi-lateral co-operation across the world.

Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica, Arnold Foote, told reporters at a press conference on Friday that he was optimistic about the congress being held in Jamaica.

The highlight of the three-day congress will be the global trade forum on Wednesday, under the theme: 'Sustainable Development Through Trade'.

The forum, which will be opened by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Anthony Hylton, will feature speakers such as Ambassador Richard Bernal and Ambassador of Chile Alfonso Silva.

There will also be presentations by representatives from the United Nations and the United Nations Development Programme.