THE PORTUGUESE government has signalled its intention to enter into a bilateral agreement with Jamaica to share expertise in the areas of renewable energy and tourism.

Portugal's non-resident ambassador to Jamaica, Joao Caetano da Silva, who is visiting the island to meet with government officials, told The Gleaner Tuesday that his country had made significant strides in renewable sources of energy and tourism.

A member of the European Union (EU), Portugal has a major tourist industry, with some 12.5 million tourists visiting the country each year. The country has a population of 10.6 million.

Jamaica could benefit

Indicating that Jamaica could benefit greatly from renewable sources of energy, the Portuguese ambassador said 20 per cent of his country's energy needs were met by wind-generated energy.

Ambassador Caetano da Silva said Jamaica was benefiting from an increasing number of tourists from Portugal between July and August each year.

Turning to education, the Portuguese diplomat said his government was promoting a project to supply specially designed computers for children aged six to 10 years in Jamaica.

"It is a private business project in Portugal, however the Portuguese government promotes the venture," the ambassador said.

Caetano da Silva said the computers, called Magellan, are adapted for children in primary schools and could be accessed at a cost of US$300 per unit.

"I think it would be possible to find private businesses and corporations (in Jamaica) which would be associated with this project to finance the purchase of the computers," the Portuguese envoy said.

The ambassador will today attend the annual luncheon hosted by the Government, for diplomats.

Earlier, he opened a Portuguese consulate in Kingston.