Prime Minister Andrew Holness is now in Peru for the start of an intense working trip overseas, where he will hold bilateral talks with key partners as well as participate in the Summit of the Americas then attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in England.

In Lima, Peru, Holness will deliver a speech at the business forum of the Summit of the Americas ahead of bilateral discussions with Sebasti·n PiÒera, president of the Republic of Chile.

During the summit, Holness and other Caribbean leaders will also meet with United States Vice President Mike Pence.

Tomorrow, Holness will leave Peru for Brussels, Belgium, where he will address a special session of the African Caribbean and Pacific Committee of Ambassadors and meet with Donald Tusk, president of the European Council.

The prime minister will also use the opportunity to meet with the Jamaican community in Brussels, Antwerp, and Paris before moving on to the Commonwealth summit.

Bilateral Discussions

While in London, the prime minister will meet with his British counterpart, Theresa May, and will also be received by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. The meeting - a private audience with Her Majesty - is specifically organised for heads of government who have taken office since the last CHOGM in 2015. Bilateral discussions are also scheduled with His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales.

In addition to his participation at the Commonwealth summit, Holness will deliver an address at a joint forum on the theme 'Toward a Common Future'. The panel will include May and Bill Gates, principal founder of the Microsoft Corporation.

Holness is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Pravind Jugnauth, prime minister of Mauritius. As part of his focus on economic growth and job creation in Jamaica, Holness will also hold meetings with current and prospective investors in the business, banking, and professional industries.

He will wrap up his overseas working visit with a town-hall meeting with members of the Jamaican Diaspora in London and surrounding areas. The prime minister will be supported by Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, and technocrats from that ministry.

The prime minister will return to the island on April 21. During his absence, Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang will be in charge of the Government.