Diaspora conference identifies gaps in assistance with Jamaica’s development

NEW YORK, USA — The recently concluded Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) conference for the north-east United States has identified the establishment of a Diaspora Business and Investment Network as one area it believes the Diaspora could play a crucial role in as it relates to contributing to Jamaica’s development.

Currently, the Diaspora’s single-largest investment in Jamaica’s development is through remittances, with inflows totaling US$3.12 billion for fiscal year 2025 to 2026, according to the minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge, who was among several speakers who addressed the conference.

Establishment of the Diaspora Business and Investment Network was one of three major recommendations coming out of the two-day summit which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. from October 23 to 24, 2026.