Negril Chamber Of Commerce

German Ambassador to Jamaica in Negril February 13, 2007

German diplomacy to stimulate increased tourism and business investments in Jamaica . His Excellency, Volker Schlegel, German Ambassador to Jamaica, returned to the Capital of Casual, Negril on February 13, 2007 to deliver his presentation as special guest at the Negril Chamber of Commerce’s first Business Luncheon for 2007. The Business luncheon was held at Beaches Sandy Bay Hotel and was attended by a wide-cross section of the business community.

Ambassador Schlegel explored How to enter the German market and increase tourism and business investments. Invited audience participation as he examined the various sub-topics., A lawyer and an economist by vocation; he was later appointed to the diplomat service. After 6 years he went back to the business sector. Thereafter he served as Ambassador to Singapore, interior Secretary of State to Hamburg, Germany and is now assigned to Jamaica since 2005. His responsibility extends to Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos.

Referring to his last visit in Negril in August 2006, he again thanked the Chamber for their hospitality as his host. He went on to say that those talks on tourism, use of renewable energy, and recycling were geared to economic growth of the region, which now provide the backdrop for his second visit. He promised delivery of concrete results with the support and action of the focus group.

Renewable Energy

The Ambassador promised to speak with the relevant companies in Germany to open the door for Jamaican businesses to benefit from renewable energy opportunities.

He offered to the audience three magazines on renewables made in Germany: Photovoltaics & Thermal power plants; Solar thermal & Bioenergy; and Geothermal & Wind energy.

Business & Cultural Exchanges:

The German Ambassador affirmed that the planning of joint trade missions for business development should take into consideration specific areas of expertise such as environment, technology, tourism, transportation, renewable energy or port activities. He offered the following guidelines: 1) Identification of goals. 2) Select eligible companies to participate in exchange; make matches. 3) A Visa is needed for travel. 4) The Chamber would contact the Ambassador to make the necessary arrangements. The Chamber Fundraising Committee requested assistance to twin with a German city; the request was favorably received. On the matter of subsidies for the development of a language center or training programme for the North Coast, the Ambassador reiterated that when he received the proposal detailing the need, the number of students and the language preferences, he would give due consideration to the request. At press time, the Negril Chamber confirmed that the Public relations committee is the process of distributing & tabulating questionnaires from the target audience and will complete the process in mid March.