Spanish ambassador bats for stronger economic ties with Jamaica

The Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Josep Maria Bosch Bessa, has expressed a desire for greater economic cooperation between both countries, citing the longstanding historic friendship enjoyed over the years since the establishing of diplomatic relations.

Bosch Bessa was speaking against the background of observance of Spain’s National Day.

“I was talking about the expectation and the need to have a second wave of Spanish investment touching other sectors and areas of the Jamaican economy,” he noted in an interview with The Gleaner.

Spain has pumped millions of US dollars into the Jamaican economy by way of investing in the construction of several hotels and through other related services.

Bosch Bessa hinted at the likelihood of investment outside of its traditional involvement.

“There are many more that we [Spain] can help with in the development of the Jamaican economy, by way of logistics, energy, and infrastructure. These remain a realism which I think Spanish companies would be looking at in terms of coming to the island to invest.”

Citing Jamaica’s historical links to Britain, the United States and Canada, its three largest trading partners, Bosch Bessa said that he feels Spain should be among the island’s closets partners.

“If you look at the fact, and not just only on the historical and human relation between them, but by the complementary nature of our economies, Spain should be on top of the list of closest friends, allies and partners of Jamaica,” he said.

Further, he said that it was his view that although Jamaica and Spain enjoy a favourable relationship, there is a need to strengthen ties.

“Things between Spain and Jamaica could be better; that’s my view. The political relationship is wonderful because we share many similar worldviews, and that’s a fact of life. We are in the same way defending multilateralism against the idea of putting, as they say, 'country first' because the world is too small for isolationism.”

The challenges of humanity, he said, needs a multilateral approach.

He said the idea of human rights and freedoms and defending democracy are essential to both countries.