PM Simpson Miller Credits Cuba With Assisting Jamaica’s Athletics Success

HAVANA, Cuba December 9, 2014 - Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller has credited Cuba with assisting Jamaica to become a world leader in athletics, noting that the GC Foster College, which was a gift to Jamaica from Cuba in the 1970s, has been responsible for training many of Jamaica´s outstanding athletes and coaches.

The Prime Minister adds that through the GC Foster College, Cuba has also assisted several nations of the world which are larger and more resourceful than Cuba itself. She noted that following a visit to China and a request from the Chinese President, Chinese athletics coaches have studied at the GC Foster College.

Chinese students are now pursuing degrees in athletics coaching at the college on scholarships provided by the Government of Jamaica. The Prime Minister made the comments during the closed session of the Fifth Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-Cuba Summit in Havana on Monday, December 8.

The meeting was chaired by Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz. Prime Minister Simpson Miller also commended the Cuban Government and medical professionals for their expression of humanity in relation to the scores of Cuban doctors and other health professionals who have volunteered to combat Ebola in the affected countries of West Africa.

She noted that Jamaica has also benefitted from Cuban expertise in this area through President Castro’s positive response to a request from her to send experts to train Jamaica’s health professionals in Jamaica on Ebola prevention, treatment and care. The Prime Minister also expressed relief at the recovery of the Cuban doctor who had contracted Ebola while serving in West Africa.

Addressing the issue of trade, the Prime Minister noted that there is scope for greater levels of merchandise trade between Cuba and the countries of CARICOM including Jamaica. She expressed Jamaica’s support for the revival of the CARICOM-Cuba Business Council and Cuba’s offer to establish a CARICOM pavilion at its international trade fair in Havana next year to facilitate greater levels of participation by businesses from CARICOM countries.

She noted that CARICOM-Cuba trade must be part of the Cuba’s trade with the rest of the world and encouraged CARICOM Heads of Government to continue to use the platform of the United Nations and other international forums to call for the end of the United States imposed trade embargo against Cuba in the interest of the people of Cuba.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller also commended Cuba’s decision to establish a Caribbean Heroes Park in Havana.