Borough President Marty Markowitz stands on the steps of Borough Hall with Honorary Consuls from around the world after receiving the FICAC Award of Distinction from FICAC President, The Honorable Arnold Foote.Consul General of Jamaica to New York, Mr. Herman Lamont; Secretary General of FICAC, Hon. Aykut Eken; FICAC Vice President, Hon. Costa Lefkaritis; Consul General Hon. Otunba Lawal; FICAC Director, Hon. Leif-Kristian Sverstad; Dean of the Consular Corps of Serbia, Hon. Rajko Maric; Consul General Hon. S. Kadarisman and FICAC Director, Hon. Thomas Amaral Neves.The President of the Borough of Brooklyn, Mr. Marty Markowitz, was honoured by the World Federation of Consuls at his office on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Mr. Markowitz was honoured for his special assistance give to the Federation in 2009. Mr. Markowitz is very popular with the Turkish and Caribbean residents in Brooklyn, New York.
FICAC Directors and special guests were welcomed to Borough Hall in Brooklyn by Borough President, Marty Markowitz.
In his address, Borough President Markowitz said, “Brooklyn is the proud home to everyone from everywhere,” said Mr. Markowitz. “We are honoured to host this distinguished group of representatives from across the world, and to discuss issues that are not only important to Brooklynites but to the entire world community. In Brooklyn, in our diversity we find strength, and we have proudly embraced an expanding
role on the international stage.”
FICAC President, the Honourable Arnold Foote, in his address, thanked the Borough President for the kind hospitality given to the FICAC delegation during their stay in Brooklyn. Several important topics were also discussed including cultural exchange and trade.
Honourable Arnold Foote noted that one of the Caribbean’s cultural ambassadors, Dr. Slinger Francisco, also known as “The Mighty Sparrow, calypso king of the world” was in the audience and recognition was given to him.
In discussions on trade, FICAC President Arnold Foote said that one of the main functions of the World Federation of Consuls is the development of trade between the sending and receiving states. “Our future lies in the development of fair trade here and in every region of the world.”
