She noted that, "the country was on threshold of an investment boom" citing improvements in the country's road network, seaports and airports and telecommunications.

According to the Prime Minister, nearly 25,000 persons stood to benefit from jobs in tourism and construction, noting that some 12,000 hotel rooms were being built.

She further pointed to a decrease in the domestic interest rate, which she noted was an encouraging factor for investment, job creation and growth.
Turning to crime, the Prime Minister informed that the crime rate has been trending down since the start of the year, and stated government's intention to sustaining the reduced figures by strengthening social programmes and boosting early childhood education.

The meeting, which was sponsored by Wachovia Bank, was part of the Prime Minister's recent two-day visit to South Florida, which included a community forum with the Diaspora community and a reception held in her honour.

Jamaican Christopher Raymond, Director of Global Financial Institution chaired the meeting, which included the presentation of the keys to the city of Miami to Mrs. Simpson Miller, by Mayor Manny Diaz.