Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller leaves the island today for a number of engagements in New York and Philadelphia in the United States.

Her first engagement will be tonight where she will be honoured with the receipt of the TIME 100 Most Influential Persons Award at a special reception in New York.

Tomorrow she will meet with Jamaicans in the Diaspora and address a special town hall meeting in Brooklyn.

On Thursday April 26, she will engage in a series of meetings related to the economy including talks with important interests in the bauxite alumina industry.

On Friday April 27 and Saturday April 28 the Prime Minister will be in Philadelphia where, among other engagements, she will attend this year's staging of the Penn Relays.

The Prime Minister is being accompanied on the visit by a team including Information Minister Sen. Sandrea Falconer, Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill, Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, Special Advisors Delano Franklyn and Dr Carlton Davis and Chairman of Clarendon Alumina Partners, Dr Vin Lawrence.

The Prime Minister will return to the island on Sunday

Transport Minister Dr Omar Davies, will be in charge of the government during her absence.