Further to an article published in The Gleaner of Wednesday, December 9, head-lined 'Belgians position as trade hub for Jamaica in Europe', it should be noted that the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) was approached by the Belgian Embassy - and a subsequent agreement was arrived at with the Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency - to be in charge of planning and arranging one-on-one meetings between members of the Belgian Trade Mission and operators of local businesses.

Those meetings aimed at developing trade relations between both countries.

A team of JCC representatives was identified, under the guidance of JCC Trade Committee Chairman Oliver Chen, to draft a schedule of activities for the Belgian delegation during its stay from November 29 to December 2.

That schedule included the one-on-one meetings, as well as a reception which was hosted by the Ambassador of Belgium, Frederic Meurice.

The Gleaner article to which we referred earlier made only passing reference to the JCC - saying only that "the Belgians also met with the JCC" - while quoting extensively from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.

We would, in the interest of fairness and in recognition of the hard work that the JCC has been undertaking to open up opportunities for the business sector - inclusive of also having embarked on trade missions with China and the UK Chamber of Commerce - appreciate your publishing this note of clarification to indicate that the Belgian Trade Mission was coordinated by the JCC.

Patricia Peart

General Manager

Jamaica Chamber of

Commerce