Hon. Samal Mojah Duggins to Speak at Jamaica Stock Exchange’s Business & Investment Conference 2024

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) is gearing up for its highly anticipated Business and Investment Conference 2024, scheduled for October 8-9 venued at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

Held under the theme “Financing for Success: Where Passion, Prosperity, and People Align,” the conference will bring together a diverse group of business leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry experts from across the Caribbean, aiming to spark meaningful discussions and collaborations that will shape the region’s economic future.

One of the standout speakers at the event will be Hon. Samal Mojah Duggins, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Sports, and The Creative Economy of St. Kitts and Nevis. Known for his multifaceted career and deep commitment to the economic empowerment of his people, Mr. Duggins’ presence at this prestigious gathering signifies a convergence of his passions—innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

Minister Duggins’ remarkable career began in education, where he taught mathematics and initiated academic scholarships for underprivileged students, laying the foundation for his lifelong commitment to empowering youth. His transition into entrepreneurship and the creative arts only broadened his influence, with the founding of Island Xpressions, a strategic brand development firm, and Montraville Farms, an award-winning sustainable agriculture enterprise.

At Montraville Farms, Minister Duggins pioneered the use of agro-technology, such as hydroponics, to enhance food security and sustainability in St. Kitts and Nevis. His innovative approach has earned him recognition as a “Food Hero” and a respected advocate for sustainable agriculture. In addition to his work in farming, Duggins has leveraged his creative talents as a poet, rapper, and television host to inspire young people across the Caribbean, empowering them to pursue their passions and contribute to their communities.

As such, Minister Duggins’ appearance at the JSE Business and Investment Conference will offer participants the opportunity to gain insights from his vast experience in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems and aligning small business growth with national development goals. His leadership in agriculture, combined with his advocacy for youth and creative industries, positions him as a key voice in discussions around how the Caribbean can harness its unique assets—its people, culture, and natural resources—to achieve sustainable prosperity.

In his address, Mr. Duggins is expected to highlight the role of innovation and human capital in driving sustainable wealth creation, drawing on his experience in agriculture and entrepreneurship to illustrate how strategic investments in key sectors, such as agro-tech and the creative economy, can lead to resilient and diversified economies across the region.

Furthermore, with the conference’s overarching theme of aligning passion with prosperity, Mr. Duggins’ aims to explore, how individuals and nations can turn passion into actionable, profitable ventures that uplift not just the economy but the broader society.

The Jamaica Stock Exchange has long been a catalyst for economic growth in the region, and this year’s Business and Investment Conference comes at a critical time for the Caribbean. With the global economic landscape rapidly shifting, the JSE is determined to foster an environment that empowers businesses to innovate, scale, and access new markets.

The two-day event will feature a series of panels and discussions on topics such as alternative investments, the private sector’s role in sustainable wealth creation, and strategies for accessing capital markets. These discussions are designed to equip Caribbean businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of the modern financial world.

Among the notable speakers are Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, and Hon. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President in Guyana. Both leaders, along with Minister Duggins and others, will share their vision for how the Caribbean can harness its resources and talents to foster inclusive growth and regional development.

With discussions ranging from natural resource management to investment strategies in emerging markets, the 2024 JSE Business and Investment Conference promises to be a landmark event for the Caribbean’s business and investment landscape. Minister Duggins’ contributions will no doubt inspire participants to consider how they can align their own passions with the broader goal of regional prosperity.