Chief Minister in first African visit

01 March 2017

Jersey’s commitment to broadening and deepening its relationships with African partners will be highlighted by an official visit by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, during the first week of March 2017.

Senator Gorst will visit three countries that have been identified as priority partners – South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda – and will undertake a full schedule of meetings and events from 1-6 March 2017. The programme, which marks the first official visit to Africa by a Chief Minister of Jersey, forms part of the Island's ongoing efforts to grow relationships and increase trade with key emerging markets.

The visit will deliver important commercial, legal and political objectives, reflecting Jersey’s growing cooperation with partners in Africa. As well as engaging in ministerial meetings on areas of mutual interest, the Chief Minister’s visit will include

• meetings with senior representatives of major South African financial institutions with a significant presence in Jersey
• discussions with the Government of Kenya on repatriating confiscated criminal assets for the purpose of benefitting the people of Kenya
• ongoing engagement on the delivery of a wide-ranging memorandum of understanding with Rwanda, including observing ongoing Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) projects in the country

Senator Gorst commented “Jersey has developed valuable relationships with many African nations, a number of whom have established professional services businesses and banks in the Island, making a meaningful contribution to the jobs and growth agenda. Jersey is also a significant source of high-quality capital that is essential to meeting Africa’s investment needs and long-term development.

"We also have strong charitable links through the fantastic work of Jersey Overseas Aid which is assisting in the transformation of Rwanda’s dairy industry, in partnership with the RJA&HS and the charity ‘Send a Cow’.

"I am confident that this first official visit will produce valuable outcomes for the Island and strengthen relationships that are beneficial to Jersey and our partners in Africa.”