About the Foundation

Spain and Jamaica: a common history

The history of Spain in the Caribbean dates back to more than 500 years ago. Jamaica has retained many reminders of this common history, with place and feature names all over the country like Ocho Rios, Santa Cruz, Rio Cobre, Rio Bueno, Port Antonio or Spanish Town. But it is only in the recent years that both countries have actively rediscovered each other. This has come about through a combination of factors. On one hand, there has been an increasing will on the part of Jamaica to become a player within the global world by opening its borders to foreign investment and the cultural and linguistic influence of its Spanish speaking neighbours.
On the other hand, after centuries of isolation and underdevelopment, Spain and its companies have emerged in the last 25 years of democratic governance in the country as a primary actor on the international scene, having undergone a rapid process of modernization and economic growth. Specially, it is within the realm of tourism industry, that there has been an increased Spanish presence in the Caribbean and notably in Jamaica.

Since 2001, Jamaica has experienced a renewed linkage with Spain, this time lead by the private sector. An unprecedented level of investment by Spanish hotel groups is helping to encourage a rapid process of expansion and transformation of the tourism industry in Jamaica. The renewed interest of the Spanish has been welcomed and encouraged by the Jamaican Government and a nation that appreciates foreign direct investment as a vital tool for job creation and economic prosperity for the country.

The Spanish companies currently investing in Jamaica, as a way of emphasizing their commitment to the Jamaican society and their future, have promoted the establishment of a Foundation that will include the sponsoring of activities in the areas of education, tourism training, teaching of foreign languages, social projects and community development, with a strong mandate to contribute to improved social welfare and the fight against poverty, through social and educational priorities.

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Our Vision

Within the last few years, Spanish investment has become an important contributor to the economic development of Jamaica, having already reached in 2006 one of the leading positions on the list of foreign investors in Jamaica. All together, planned investments average some US$ 1,500 million with construction in the tourism industry of over 10,000 rooms. The Spanish investments will represent a 50% increase in Jamaica's room capacity over the next 10-year period.

This ambitious venture by Spanish investors is expected to have a significant impact on the future prosperity of the Jamaican economy, with resulting deep social consequences. The increased investments are expected to result in the creation of approximately 12,000 direct jobs and a further 30,000 indirect jobs. These figures do not only imply benefits for both the Jamaican economy and the investors but also signify a challenge, as the country will have to upgrade its skills in education, housing, training of tourism workers and community development. In addition, Jamaica will be called upon to encourage the development of small and medium enterprises in fields such as craftmanship, tourism activities and entertainment, retail shopping or agriculture.

The Spanish - Jamaican Foundation, in its commitment of full collaboration with the peoples of Jamaica, will try to encourage and develop an increased Jamaican potential in those fields and in other areas that may be required coming out of these investment projects. Working with the Government and Non-Govermental Organizations, the Foundation will implement projects to benefit the Jamaican people as the focus will be poverty alleviation, job creation, social, educational and community development, fostering a sustainable environment.

The Foundation is honoured to have a number of leading personalities within the Jamaican society as Members of its Advisory Board, as we pursue our objectives and make our contribution to the continuing development of Jamaica and its people. The Members of the Advisory Board, Hon. P.J. Patterson, Hon. Edward Seaga, Chris Blackwell, Vincent A. Chang, William Clarke, Rodney Davis, Pat Francis, David Hall, Paul Issa, Charles Johnston, Dennis Lalor, Michael Lee Chin, William McConnell, Douglas Orane, Michele Rollins and Milton Samuda, bring extensive knowledge and expertise to the Foundation and will certainly contribute greatly to the success of its endeavours.

Included among the initial priority projects scheduled will be training of workers for the hotel industry, teaching of Spanish language, agricultural production, sustainable environment, and recognition of the Jamaican heritage including craftsmanship and other traditions of the rich Jamaican culture which will further enhance the country's development as a major tourist attraction.

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Our Mission

The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation was created in July 2006 as a non-profit organization of goodwill, intended to deepen the friendship between the peoples of Spain and Jamaica. Committed to working in full collaboration with the peoples of Jamaica, the primary aims and objectives of the Foundation include:

• The Promotion of:
• Cultural, educational and other exchanges and collaborations between the two nations and its peoples;
• Projects in social, educational, cultural and community areas to encourage prosperity, job creation and the fight against poverty;
• Projects to enhance the common history of both nations and to put into perspective and value the heritage and historical sites;
• A better integration of local communities and its citizens in the economies of scale created by major investments in tourism;
• Agriculture, craftmanship and other traditional economic activities in order to encourage a better integration of communities with the tourism industry;
• Teaching and appreciation of the Spanish language in Jamaica;
• Public and private sector co-operation between the two Nations;
• Trade and investment between the Kingdom of Spain and Jamaica.

Our Committment

The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation thanks the people of Jamaica, the Government and the Opposition as well as other institutions and companies and the media for the warm welcome and great hospitality that the Spanish companies have enjoyed since their entry into Jamaica, expressing their strong commitment to help to make Jamaica a prosperous country offering abundant opportunities.

Our projects are concrete and intended to support Jamaicans in need.

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