Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1972, the relationship between China and Jamaica has continued to strengthen over the past four decades. In an effort to reaffirm China’s commitment and support for the economic development of the island, the Ex-Im Bank of China inked a deal worth US$326 million for the construction of the Southern Coastal (four-lane) Highway Improvement Project. This will be constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company. The signing ceremony took place on February 16th at China Ex-Im Bank’s headquarters in Beijing. Mr. Liu Liange, the bank’s Vice-Chairman and President, expressed his confidence in the growing partnership between the two countries as it exemplifies the fruitful nature of this particular south to south relationship.

“Over the past several years we have had a very good cooperation with Jamaica and I want to take this opportunity to express our thanks for your government’s support … my colleagues have reported to me that your people are always very efficient, very positive, very responsible, and we appreciate that very much. We know geographically, that Jamaica is very important in the region. We value our relationship and I can see that there is a very bright future ahead. China Ex-Im Bank is ready to continue this important and close cooperation,” noted the President.

In response Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw expressed gratitude on behalf of his government.

“I want to say Mr. President that we are pleased to be here in China for the signing of this agreement. I would like to express our government’sappreciation for your willingness to work with us to ensure that we enter into an economically feasible arrangement. We are very grateful for your accommodation. And I would like to reiterate the point that our relationship started with you, the Ex-Im Bank; and we expect and hope, that you will continue to be our driver and our protector in spearheading the programme of expanding the relationship between Jamaica and China.”

Minister Shaw was accompanied by the Minister of Transport and Mining the Hon. Michael Henry; Jamaica’s Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to China, His Excellency Antonia Hugh and Investment Ambassador & Senior Advisor, Senator Aubyn Hill.

During their week-long visit, the Jamaican delegation engaged in a number of high profile meetings including the highpoint discussions with China’s Finance Minister, Mr. Xiao Jie. Both Finance Ministers remarked on Jamaica’s strategic importance in the western hemisphere especially as it relates to joint development ventures of industrial and agro-parks to better facilitate and service export markets in the Caribbean and Latin American region. Minister Shaw also met with Zhang Xiangchen, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce. In the discussions, the Vice Minister raised the possibility of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the systematic encouragement of more Chinese firms to participate in Jamaica’s growth and development.

China Harbour Supports Island wide Infrastructure Development

The past six years has witnessed the progress of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Development Programme (JDIP), the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP) and the successful completion and opening of the North-South Highway which was constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The delegation also met with the Mr. Tang Qiaoliang, President of CHEC; Dr. Hu, Deputy General Manager of CHEC Americas and Ding Wen, China Harbour’s Marketing Deputy General Manager. A meeting was also held with Mr. Hu Huaibang, Chairman of the China Development Bank, regarding the financing of additional investment projects.