LONDON:

Strengthening ties between Jamaica and Scotland could yield tremendous benefit to the island and the Caribbean community, Burchell Whiteman, Jamaica's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, has suggested.

He said that, in addition to cultural exchanges, Jamaica could benefit from Scotland's experiences in projects to support young people and the regeneration of inner-city communities and urban spaces. Whiteman also said that Scottish members of the European Parliament were interested in being intermediaries for the Caribbean in the European Union (EU).

Bilateral cooperation

The high commissioner, who paid an official visit to Scotland recently, met with Jamaicans living there during a special function to honour Jamaican-born professor, Geoff Palmer. He also met with senior Scottish officials, including the cabinet secretary (minister) for justice, Kenny MacAskill, and lord provost of the city of Edinburgh, George Grubb.

Grubb told Whiteman there was scope for bilateral cooperation between Edinburgh and Jamaica as that city was in the process of developing its international profile.

The high commissioner also had discussions about possible cooperation between Scotland's police department and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, with particular emphasis on young offenders and the possibility of bilateral exchanges.