Holness optimistic ahead of Commonwealth Secretary-General announcement

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said he is optimistic ahead of the announcement of the new Commonwealth Secretary-General.

 

Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who continues to engage international delegates in her bid for the Secretary-General post, has declared she is not leaving anything to chance.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica's Janella Precius, who has been covering the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, Prime Minister Holness said he remains hopeful about Mrs. Johnson Smith's chances.

 

He believes the country has much to gain as well as contribute with a Jamaican at the helm of the Commonwealth Secretariat. 

 

"It is an opportunity for Jamaica to offer to the Commonwealth leadership, management, governance and to bring a perspective to the issues that would not just be beneficial for small island developing states, but beneficial for the family of the Commonwealth on issues such as climate change, issues to deal with trade and investment," Mr. Holness insisted. 

 

He added that more can be made of the Commonwealth platform, and as the grouping continues to evolve and globalisation changes in nature, "more countries are seeing the Commonwealth as a possible economic grouping".

 

In the meantime, addressing a business forum on bridging the digital divide, Mr. Holness urged developed countries of the Commonwealth to increase investment in ICT in vulnerable nations.