Japan and Jamaica have agreed to promote bilateral economic cooperation, with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller calling for investment in the Caribbean nation's key logistics project.
In a joint statement released after a meeting Tuesday in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's office, the two leaders agreed to seek further cooperation and investment in such areas as energy conservation and renewable energy and mineral resources development.
They "recognized the importance of promoting dialogue for improving business environments and expanding investment opportunities in a diverse range of sectors," the statement said.
Abe pledged Japan's continued assistance for Jamaica to protect the environment, reduce natural disaster risks and increase job opportunities, in the context of Tokyo's partnership with the Caribbean Community regional bloc.
While attempting to establish Kingston as a fourth center of global logistics, following Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam, Simpson-Miller expressed her hope that Japanese firms will invest in the project.
"The essence of my message on the Logistics Hub (Initiative) . . . is that it represents significant potential for return on investment," she said in a written interview with Kyodo News.