Financial literacy series target ordinary Jamaicans

The Ministry’s Wealth Summit is a series of free quarterly events geared towards improving the financial literacy of Jamaicans. The event will be live streamed on the YouTube and Facebook pages of the JIS and Finance Ministry from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday (February 9).

The summit will see the likes of investment guru and business journalist Kalilah Reynolds taking the stage to offer advice and information on putting your money to work and making passive income. Reynolds will join an impressive line-up of speakers to include the Minister of State in the Finance Ministry, Marsha Smith; Senior Manager of Sales and Business Support at Victoria Mutual Property Services, Allison Morgan, President and CEO of Point Global Marketing, Javette Nixon, and noted medical practitioner Dr Alfred Dawes.

Director of the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Branch at the Finance Ministry, Shelly-Ann Weeks, told JIS News that this particular summit seeks to give a blueprint for accomplishing the top-five new year’s resolutions that are usually made.

“We looked at the money resolutions that people have and we narrowed it down to the top-five most popular money-related resolutions for the Wealth Summit. We are calling this one “New year, new opportunities”. The actual resolutions that we’re looking at are that persons want to make more money; they want to invest more; they want the money that they make to do more for them,” Ms. Weeks noted.

She added that, from there, the summit will tackle other resolutions such as the desire for homeownership, starting a business and overall improved health.

“One of the biggest obstacles for people to start a business is usually related to getting capital, getting financing. So, we’re saying, this is how you can make a winning pitch to get your business started. Another goal is to acquire real estate, so we’re going to talk to representatives about what they need to do now to acquire real estate, because not everybody is in a position to buy real estate right away, but they can learn how to get started,” Ms. Weeks explained.

She also highlighted that Dr. Alfred Dawes will present on investing in your health.

“Your most important asset, no matter what else is going on, is your health. If your health is not ready, then you are certainly going to have major challenges. Also, Minister Marsha Smith will give an overview of the Jamaican economy and lay out the opportunities available to Jamaicans. So those are the major topics that we are looking at. We are just trying to empower Jamaicans in ensuring that they have the tools to achieve their goals and ensure that they can get those resolutions done.” Ms. Weeks concluded.

Persons can register for the virtual summit by visiting the website of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service at mof.gov.jm. The interactive session will also allow viewers to send their questions during the presentations via the chat feature.