Two hours after Obama took the oath of office in Washington, Golding told Parliament that he was getting ready to meet with regional leaders "to develop the agenda of issues for a new engagement between the United States and the Caribbean".

"It is our fervent hope that despite the crowded agenda which President Obama must have, the interests of developing countries like Jamaica, so often left on the periphery of the global agenda, will be part of a US policy framework which recognises that shared, broad-based development is the surest way to secure and maintain peace throughout the world and ensure global prosperity and stability," Golding told Parliament.

First overseas mission

Obama's first overseas mission as president will be at the Summit of the Americas, which will be held in Trinidad from April 17-19.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller said, in a statement yesterday, Obama's ascension was an indication that the "world has changed yet again, and we too must change".

Opposition Spokesman on Finance Dr Omar Davies said Obama represents the dawn of a new day to world politics and development.

"The extent to which the American economy recovers determines the extent to which our prospects for growth improve," Davies said.

No interest in caribbean

Like Golding, Davies said he hoped Obama would develop policies geared towards helping the advancement of the developing world.

However, South West St Catherine representative and Government Member Everald Warmington issued a sobering jab.

"The US has no interest in the Caribbean," Warmington muttered from his seat.

"We must not be of that misguided opinion and if that is what you believe, then you have a surprise coming."