Jamaica

Brazil was the first country in Latin America to recognize the Independence of Jamaica in 1962. Since then, the two countries have maintained a significant bilateral relationship, reflected in high-level political agreement, including in many international forums.

Brazil’s relations with Jamaica, a country with one of the largest populations and economies in the Caribbean, have a significant potential for growth. In addition, Jamaica is an active member and home to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a United Nations body on the Law of the Sea and of great relevance to Brazil.

In line with Brazil’s policy of rapprochement with the Caribbean countries, the first official visit of a Brazilian Head of State to Jamaica took place in 2007. In 2013, the visit of the Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs to Brazil marked the official opening of the Embassy of Jamaica in Brasilia.

During the Brazil-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit in 2010, the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a bilateral Commission for the promotion of cultural, social, economic and technical cooperation, named ‘Brazil-Jamaica Bilateral Commission’, was signed. The most recent visit of a Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Jamaica took place in 2014, on the occasion of the First Meeting of the Commission. During the meeting, important agreements and memorandums aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship were signed, including the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Defense; the Agreement on the Exchange of Tax Information; the Agreement on Air Services.

In 2014, the Brazil-Jamaica Professional Training Center was opened, a successful cooperation initiative, which meets Jamaica’s demand for a skilled workforce. Further important bilateral initiatives are focused in the area of health, in particular in the fight against sickle cell anemia, a field in which Brazil has considerable knowledge.

In 2019, bilateral trade totaled $76 million. Brazilian exports to Jamaica amounted to $75.2 million, while imports reached $0.8 million (a decrease of 27 percent compared to the previous year). The bilateral trade balance is favorable to Brazil, with a surplus of $74.4 million.

In 2020, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international trade, Brazilian exports to Jamaica increased by 180 percent, totaling more than $202 million. Imports from Jamaica had an increase of 28.6 percent, reaching $1 million. In this context, bilateral trade went from $76 million to $203 million, outlining the economic and trade potential of the relations yet to be exploited.

Chronology of the bilateral relations

2014 - First Meeting of the Joint Brazil-Jamaica Commission, in Kingston (February 13)

2013 - During the Jamaican Foreign Minister's visit to Brazil, the Jamaican embassy is officially opened in Brasilia (June 13)

2012 - Opening of Jamaica's resident Embassy in Brasilia.

2010 - The Prime Minister of Jamaica participates at the First Brazil-CARICOM Summit in Brasília. Prime Minister Bruce Golding made three visits to Brazil during his 2007-2011 tenure.

2007 - First official visit by a Brazilian head of state to Jamaica. On the occasion, an ethanol dehydration plant imported from Brazil is inaugurated.

2006 - Participation of the Prime Minister of Jamaica in the Second Conference of Intellectuals from Africa and the Diaspora, in Salvador

2005 – The Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Jamaica. Signing of memorandums in the area of ​​sugar and ethanol and fruit processing.

1977 - Opening of the Brazilian resident Embassy in Jamaica, located in Kingston

1963 - Brazilian interests in Jamaica are represented by the Brazilian embassy in Bogotá, Colombia

1962 - Establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Jamaica. Brazil was the first Latin American country to recognize the Independence of Jamaica.