Audley Shaw, minister of finance and the public service, will headline the list of speakers for this year's 'Outlook for the Future', a series of economic forums hosted by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) under the theme, 'The Economic Imperatives for Jamaica 2009'.

"I look forward to the opportunity for positive interaction and to share with Jamaicans in the Diaspora the vision of a peaceful and prosperous future for our country," Shaw said.

For the Jamaican diaspora

The forums, targeted to Jamaicans in the diaspora, will start in the United Kingdom (UK), this Friday and Saturday, and continue in North America with sessions in Florida and New York, United States, June 4 and 6; and Ontario, Canada, on June 26, according to Earl Jarrett, JNBS general manager.

In the UK, the forum will be held in Birmingham at the Council House, Birmingham City Council, Victoria Square, on Friday, starting at 7 p.m.; and in London at the Royal Geographical Society, Kensington Gore, on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Timely

Jarrett

"Since its inception in 2003, 'Outlook for the Future' has become one of the primary vehicles for our national leaders to interact with a wide cross-section of Jamaicans in the diaspora," Jarrett pointed out. "This year's forums are timely, because they follow immediately after the Budget Debate in Jamaica, and, therefore, offer a special context for meaningful dialogue."

Commenting on the global financial fallout and its impact on Jamaica, Mr Jarrett, who has been addressing the subject across the island, reasoned that, "If there was ever a time for dialogue with Jamaicans overseas, it is now. We want our people to fully appreciate the value of their remittances to relatives and the unique opportunities that exist for real investment in tourism and other areas of our economy."

More interaction

He also said that based on the positive stance of participants in last year's Jamaican Diaspora Conference in Kingston, he was confident that second and third-generation Jamaicans overseas wanted to be more active in developmental initiatives in the country.

"In our more than 20 years of serving Jamaicans in the United Kingdom, Jamaica National has experienced benefits that have accrued to families through home ownership and education; and to pensioners, who continue to enjoy the fruits of their labour overseas, when they return to Jamaica," he maintained.

This is the fifth year that Jamaica National has mounted 'Outlook for the Future'. Over the years, leaders of Government and key public sector executives have headlined the forum.