Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will meet with Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on October 22, 2012, during her official visit to Canada.
“Jamaica and Canada are good friends and neighbours in the Americas who enjoy solid commercial and people to people relations while sharing deep historic ties as members of the Commonwealth ,” said the Prime Minister. “It is fitting on the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations that we look at ways to further strengthen the bonds between our nations.”
This will be Prime Minister Simpson Miller's first official visit to Canada since she took office in January 2012. The visit will provide an opportunity for both leaders to discuss matters of shared interest, including regional security, trade and investment and multilateral cooperation.
Canada and Jamaica’s bilateral relationship is close and longstanding. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Jamaica was valued at $386.3 million in 2011. Canada’s relationship with Jamaica is further strengthened by the valuable contribution to Canadian society made by Jamaican-Canadians in numerous areas of endeavour.
