Jamaica Air Shuttle

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC (11th March, 2011) – The Jamaica government has announced an ease in the travel restrictions for Haitian businesses officials coming to the country. Although it belongs to the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, Haitians require a visa to enter the countries of the English speaking Caribbean.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Dr. Ken Baugh addressing delegates at a breakfast seminar titled ‘CARICOM’s New Business Frontier – Haiti,’ said that the Bruce Golding administration had agreed to a raft of changes to stimulate trade between the two countries.

“The Honorary Consul of Jamaica in Port-au-Prince will be authorized to issue multiple entry visas valid for a period not exceeding six months,” Baugh said, noting however, this would be based on certain terms and conditions:

He said the Haitian national should be in possession of either a valid United States, United Kingdom, Canadian or Schengen visa and must be, in the view of the Honorary Consul, a bona fide business traveller.

The government said that the Haitian business representative should also be in possession of a return ticket or a ticket to a third destination where that person has legal status.

In addition, the applicant also must demonstrate that there are sufficient funds for the duration of the stay in Jamaica.

 Earlier, managing director of Jamaica Air Shuttle, Christopher Read, called on the Jamaican business community to return to the era of investing.

 “We need to rekindle the spirit of entrepreneurship in our Jamaican private sector, we feel the time has come to lubricate the tracks that have taken up rust,” said the local businessman.

He said Jamaica Air Shuttle is looking at developing two-way traffic into Haiti, targeting the over 14,000 UN security workers who have the potential to become stop-over tourists for Jamaica and the local businesses here who have recognized the wealth of opportunities that exists in CARICOM’s new business frontier.

“What we are doing is not just putting in the transportation links, but are partnering with companies such as PwC Jamaica, whose mission and vision complements our own,” said Read.

In addition to transportation, Jamaica Air Shuttle is putting in a Business Concierge Service in Haiti for business match-making of Jamaicans and Haitians.

“Things like transportation are a challenge, so is security and accommodation and the centre is there to meet those needs,” Read added.

Source: Caricom News Network: http://caricomnewsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2601:haiti-jamaica-announces-ease-of-visa-requirement-for-haitians&catid=293:haiti&Itemid=514