The US government intensified efforts to become the primary development partner for Jamaica by sending one of its top federal agency officials to meet with the government and private sector leaders in Kingston on Monday.
The visit by Caroline Vik, the chief policy officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), was announced by the US Embassy in Jamaica. There has been no official communication from the government on the outcome of the mission, which involved a delegation from the US. The US Embassy noted that the meeting was strategic and would focus on business, investment and economic growth opportunities.
“DFC is the international investment arm of the United States government. Its work in the Caribbean focuses on mobilizing private capital to support strategic infrastructure, trusted telecommunications networks, secure supply chains, and energy infrastructure that advances economic growth and strengthens regional security,” the US Embassy announced.
Vik is expected to provide the Jamaican government and business leaders with alternative financial options to loosen China’s hold, as the communist country continues to make huge investments in Jamaica’s businesses, road networks and seaports under its controversial Belt and Road initiative. The US continues to express discomfort with China’s stronghold on Caribbean countries like Jamaica through several of its officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to the Miami Herald, Vik’s visit would see her meeting with the Port Authority, the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), cabinet ministers and business leaders.
The controversial NaRRA Act was rushed through parliament despite concerns from civil society, the church and the parliamentary opposition. The government insists it will serve as the central coordinating body for post-hurricane reconstruction and is aimed at eliminating bureaucracy, reducing fragmentation, and preventing project delays.
“We’re very excited to be able to expand our investments in the Caribbean following our reauthorisation and are actively building our pipeline,” Vik was quoted as saying by the Miami Herald.
“We’ll be doing a series of government meetings as well as private sector meetings to find the companies and partners that can help us execute on the government’s investment priorities,” she said.
